Last call- Media Convergence Independant Media

Where? Quebec City - Université Laval - De Koninck building, room 0-A.
When? March 24th and 25th, 2001
Host? Center For Media Alternatives - Quebec 2001 (CMAQ)
(http://www.cmaq.net)

Including: Logistical info - How to get to the Convergence - Schedule for the weekend - Contacts - The Registration Form to fill out before coming (IMPORTANT

PLEASE PRINT AND READ CAREFULLY

LAST CALL WITH ALL THE INFOS

IMPORTANT : If you would like to participate, please register now (see form below). Thanks! Please transmit this message to media contacts.

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CONVERGENCE OF INDEPENDANT MEDIA

Where? Quebec City - Université Laval - De Koninck building, room 0-A.
When? March 24th and 25th, 2001
Host? Center For Media Alternatives - Quebec 2001 (CMAQ)
(http://www.cmaq.net)

WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN QUEBEC CITY ON FRIDAY OR Saturday AM: CMAQ, 620, Cote d'Abraham (418.523.6282 or, during the Convergence, 418.264.2020)- See the "How to get to the Convergence" section.

This message contains:
1) Call for the Convergence
2) Logistical info
3) How to get to the Convergence
4) Schedule for the weekend
5) Contacts
6) The Registration Form to fill out before coming (IMPORTANT)

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LET'S GET ORGANIZED FOR THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS - A20-22

Hello everybody! As we’re rapidly approaching the Summit of the Americas which will be held in Quebec City in April, it is important for independent journalists to begin getting organised in order to assure a good coverage of the event. This is why the Centre for Media Alternatives - Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) is inviting you to a convergence of independent journalists from Quebec and Canada, as well as from the United States, which will be held on March 24th and 25th in Quebec City.
(Translation will be provided.)

If you are interested in attending the Convergence, there is a
registration form below. It is important that it is completed as quickly as possible. Please note that we will be able to offer accommodation.

The main objective of this meeting will be to collectively decide a method of functioning during the Summit, in order to maximize the efficiency of our work and to ensure the diffusion of information concerning this important event. The convergence will be a great occasion to learn what services the CMAQ offers, to make contacts and discuss different themes and to get familiar with Quebec City and the local groups who are working in contestation to the Summit.

The Summit of the Americas will be held in Quebec City from the 20th to the 22nd of April, with the presence of 34 heads of State from the Americas (with the exception of Fidel Castro from Cuba). The objective of the event is to put into operation a free-trade agreement which will span the three Americas, without the consultation of the population.

Because of the flagrant lack of transparency on the part of its
organizers, there will be numerous challenges involved in providing good coverage of this event. There will also be a multitude of demonstrations, conferences and activities which will take place simultaneously throughout the three days of the Summit, all of this being enclosed by the largest security measures ever to be used in Canadian history. Our work will not be easy; it is therefore of great importance that we be organized well in advance.

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2. LOGISTICAL INFO

HOUSING
To the best of its capacities, the CMAQ will organize housing for visiting journalists (see form below). IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF HOUSING, WE NEED TO KNOW IN ADVANCE.

If you arrive on Friday (or Saturday morning), you can go to the CMAQ at 620, Cote d'Abraham (418.523.6282).
>From there, we'll tell you where you'll be sleeping and we'll be able to provide transportation. There will be someone at CMAQ from noon to late into the night (see below).

If you arrive on Saturday or Sunday, take a look at the schedule below to know where we are. (You'll be able to reach us at 418.264.2020 for that period.)

Don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag, a floor mat and warm clothes (it's still pretty cold this time of year in QC)

If you have the means, we can rent a couple of rooms near the CMAQ (please let us know by Wednesday at the latest), but we prefer that you make arrangements for paid accommodation on your own.

LANGUAGES
Most of the Convergence events will be held in both French and English (with translation) and we’ll do our best to provide translation for Spanish speakers.

FOOD
We'll provide 3 meals (Lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday). Vegetarians will be able to eat without any problem, but Vegans should contact us a little in advance so we can cook something special for them.

In order to reduce waste, meals will be served in reusable dishes. However, if possible it would be greatly appreciated if you could bring your own mugs, cutlery, etc.

COST
A 20$ voluntary monetary contributions is suggested to help finance the Convergence.

If you can pay more, please do so, it would be greatly appreciated.

BUS
Buses cost 2.25$ in cash or 1.75$ if you buy tickets. Circuits 800 and 801 will bring you to CMAQ and to Université Laval.

EQUIPEMENT
The convergence would be a great time to drop off any equipment you’re willing to lend (or donate) to CMAQ for April. For details on what we could use, please contact Carol at gagn...@hotmail.com

STAYING IN TOUCH
In order to receive all important info about CMAQ and the Convergence, subscribe to: L...@cmaq.net at this URL :
http://www.cmaq.net/mailman/listinfo/list

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3. HOW TO GET TO THE CONVERGENCE

GETTING TO QUEBEC CITY

By car

If you’re coming from the West of Canada from Ottawa, take the 417 which becomes the 40 in Quebec, and continue East until you reach Quebec City.

>From Toronto, take the 401 which becomes the 20 and continue until the exit for Quebec City (Pierre-Laporte bridge).

If you’re come from the Maritimes, take the 186 from Edmunston, New Brunswick, which brings you to the 20. Or take the 132 close to Campbellton, New Brunswick. In both cases, take the 20 going West.

>From the US, route 81 gets you to the 401 through Ontario, and you then go East. Route 87 will connect you with the 20 via Montreal. You then go East. (There are many other ways…we’ll let you find them!)

Road Map of Quebec
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/cartes-routes.asp

By bus or train

Get off at the QUEBEC station (and not STE-FOY) in order to get to the CMAQ Friday night or Saturday morning. Take the bus # 800 (the last one is at approximately 1 am, on Charest boulevard near the terminus (the bus must be identified as 800 ? STE-FOY). Get off at the “Côte d’abraham” stop (see below). You can also take a taxi (which will cost approximately $5)

GETTING TO CMAQ

CMAQ is at 620, Cote d'Abraham in the Complexe Méduse. There will be someone at the CMAQ to welcome you all night on Friday, until at least 3 AM.

If you come to Quebec city by the 20, take Boulevard Laurier after the bridge. Just after passing by Université Laval (look on your left) you take Boulevard René-Lévesque. You go on for about 15 minutes and when you pass the National Assembly (on your right) and the Quebec Congress Center (on your left) you turn left on Dufferin. Stay on the left lane and take Cote d'Abraham et be careful not to go on the highway. Warning:
you can't stop directly at CMAQ, you'll have to park someplace near.

If you come by the 40, follow it East (it become Boulevard Charest along
the way) and turn South on Dorchester. You'll then be able to go on Cote D'Abraham (on your left).

By bus, circuits 801 and 800 will take you there. Just ask the driver to get you to Complexe Méduse (Cote d'Abraham stop). The stop is a step away from CMAQ.

City Map
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/cartes-quartiers.asp

GETTING TO UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL
Bus cicuits 800, 801 and 7 (and many more) stop at Université Laval. Chemin Sainte-Foy, Boulevard Laurier, Boulevard Renée Lévesque, Du Vallon all get you there by car.

If you come by the 20, after the bridge, you take Boulevard Laurier going East and you'll soon be at Université Laval.

By the 40, you turn North on Du Vallon and soon find the campus
(approximately 2 km from the bridge).

To find the De Koninck Building, orient yourself with the two towers on campus, go in their direction and you'll find the De Koninck Building near, on the Avenue des Sciences Humaines.

Parking is free all the week-end on campus.

Map on how to get to LavalU
http://www.ulaval.ca/apapul/carte.html

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4. CONVERGENCE SCHEDULE

Program proposal for the media convergence - Quebec 2001 (updated 19-03-01)

Saturday, March 24

9h30 AM - Tour in Quebec City - Start : the CMAQ’s press room (the Studio in complexe Méduse; entrance at 591, St-Vallier Est st.)

12h00 Lunch at University Laval (cafeteria, level 0 of the De Koninck building) - information booths by some groups mobilizing for April

PM - Media Forum (room 0-A, De Koninck building) :
1h30 a) Welcome, goals and technical aspects of the convergence
b) Presentation of the CMAQ (role, objectives, functioning and
editorial policy) ; independant media and IMCs
c) Presentation of the context of activism in Quebec City for the Summit
d) Media assembly - discussion : 1. Possibility of an assignment
system for independent media and journalists during the Summit
2. Decision-making during the Summit (role of affinity groups,
delegates)
3. Security issues (protection of the journalists, site, centre,
information material, etc.)
4. Journalists’ other concerns and needs for Quebec 2001
e) Constitution of affinity groups (in preparation of the Sunday AM meeting)

18h30 Supper - party, Tam Tam Café, 421 Langelier blvd (at the corner of Charest O.)

Sunday, March 25 (University Laval, De Koninck building)

9h30 AM - Affinity groups meetings (planning, roles and
responsibilities)

12h00 Lunch (cafeteria) - information booths by some groups mobilizing for april

1h00 PM a) Thematic workshops
A - Role of independant journalists (in events such as the Summit) , with Normand Baillargeon
B - Relations with mainstream media, with Gretchen King
C - Violence and journalism ; protecting yourself (guest to be
confirmed)
D - Journalism and legal questions (guest to be confirmed)

3h00 b) Plenary session, conclusion

4h00 End of the convergence

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5. CONTACTING US

General e-mail : i...@cmaq.net

Questions, comments and suggestions:

About the convergence: dubo...@hotmail.com
About convergence programming: vero...@alternatives.ca
About CMAQ: mlam...@alternatives.ca
Equipment and technical stuff: gagn...@hotmail.com

By phone : 418.523.6282 (people answering may not be very fluent in English, so please speak clearly and slowly.)

By snail mail : CMAQ, 620 Côte d'Abraham, Québec, QC, G1R 1A1 CANADA

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====> REGISTRATION FORM ? NAME (if you’re forming a group, please write all names):

=>WHERE ARE YOU FROM? :

=>MEDIA (OR ORGANISATION) :

=> EMAIL:

=> *PHONE NUMBER :

=> *FAX :

=> *POSTAL CODE :

=>WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE?
=> For the convergence - Friday evening (March 23), Saturday morning (March 24) other…:

=> For the Summits (of the Americas or People’s Summit, from April 17 to 22) :

=> WHAT MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION DO YOU PLAN TO USE? :
(If you come by car would you be willing to offer lifts?)

=> FOOD - DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS?

=> DO YOU NEED HOUSING? WHEN?

=> WILL YOU BE COMING WITH CHILDREN? IF SO, DO YOU NEED DAYCARE?

=> DO YOU SMOKE? AND IF NOT WOULD YOU MIND STAYING AT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE DO?

=> DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS FOR HOUSING?
(i.e. no pets, women only space, no stairs, other…)

=> DO YOU PLAN TO DROP OFF SOME EQUIPEMENT FOR CMAQ? WHAT?

=> ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO LEND A HAND DURING THE CONVERGENCE?

*You don’t have to answer these questions