Re: like WCN? like Venice? (let's go network...)

Responding to Justin's recent post:

Hi All,

So far there has seemed to be little interest in a network meeting in Venic=
e. I'm not sure why, but I have one thought: Venice is expensive. Is that h=
olding people back? Should we look for a low-cost alternative, perhaps near=
 Venice, so that those attending the Degrowth conference can easily attend =
the WCN meeting?

I am very discouraged these days. Nothing seems to be going in the right di=
rection, and interest in carfree cities actually appears to be declining de=
spite the improvements they offer for so many of the problems from which we=
 suffer. I really don't have any idea any more what we should be doing. I w=
ould like to gather with some carfree supporters soon, somewhere. We need t=
o discuss what to do next.

Best,

Joel


>Here is another attempt to insert some life into this list (as well as net=
work). This September 19-23 there is going to be a conference in Venice, It=
aly on Degrowth. This is an important movement that has gained traction in =
the past few years (some of you may have read about Francois Schneider and =
his 14 month walk with donkey in France, in one issue of Carbusters). you c=
an learn more about the conference at <http://www.venezia2012.it/?lang=3Den=
>http://www.venezia2012.it/?lang=3Den. (can also register there)
>
>Venice is also the glorious example, par excellence, of a carfree city and=
 beautiful carfree spaces, that all of us in the network like to gush about=
. Well, there has been some talk among a few of us, of getting carfree peop=
le to attend the conference, and using the opportunity to spend a little ti=
me (ideally after the main conference) of planning for future ways that WCN=
 can play a role in shaping sustainable mobility and moving forward the car=
free concept, in light of the closing of the Prague office closed last year=
.
>
>Take this then as a call to see who is interested and would like to attend=
, or help plan a mini-event and get-together. It will be great to see some =
old carfree activists come together, but it can be equally super if some fr=
esh faces show up. Anyone interested, please speak up! (either on-list or o=
ff-list)
>
>Also in the planning is the ecotopia biketour, which will travel by bike f=
rom Spain through France to Italy, ending up at the conference. Then there =
is a group who want to walk a stretch to the conference, with a donkey ento=
urage, just like Francois all those years ago (Francois btw, will also be p=
resent, at least at the conf) . I've heard also about a regatta with rowboa=
ts... So in a word, there is hope to do some action, such as a critical mas=
s ride, or something else that we could organize. I think it could be great=
 if an action could take place that would specifically bring the carfree na=
ture of Venice to light, support and promote that aspect of the city.
>
>So, here is the question, what are any of your action ideas for such an oc=
casion? I know that if Joel comes, he'll take a video or three. What else c=
ould we do? perhaps use the occasion as a scene for a statement broadcast w=
orldwide? some media action? theatrical or otherwise? in Venice we wouldn't=
 so much protest AGAINST something as FOR it...
>
>if anyone wants to discuss this here, would be great, we still have a litt=
le bit of time... also, if enough momentum develops, we can migrate to a sm=
aller discussion forum. As other groups such as biketour are planning actio=
ns, we could coordinate something together. I have contact with the confere=
nce organizers and am also looking for more contacts to local institutions =
or groups. would be nice to hear from any italians on the list..
>
>looking forward to a response or two!
>
>Justin
>
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-----                           ###                            -----
J.H. Crawford
[email protected]
http://www.carfree.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/carfreecities
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