MINUTES OF CORK SOCIAL FORUM, Linc CENTRE, CORK, 14th OCTOBER. The meeting opened at 8.30, 12 present. Apologies; Marye and Axel Miret, Wendy, Mike Collard, Dan Boyle, Hans Benner. Meeting began with a report on Cork City water quality, in relation to pollution and over-enrichment of the River Lee (full report below). Further concerns about Cork water were raised, and it was proposed that we should contact U.C.C. about testing the Lee at various points as a project. David McHugh invted us to the World Food Day lecture being held by Comhlamh, to discuss TRIPS, trade regulations, the GATS agreement and its implications for the developing world.

We were reminded that despite the WEF pullout from their scheduled conference in Dublin, the Irish Social Forum counter-conference would be going ahead, with 27 workshops and 5 plenaries to cover a wide range of topics. Two CSF members were intending to go along, so we hope to get some feedback next month.

Fundraising was discussed, with the news that West Cork samba band Skibbamba have agreed to do a busk for us on the streets of Cork, before Christmas (more details below). There was a brief discussion as to whether the responsibility for looking after funds would require an appointed treasurer, but no decisions were reached.

On the anti-arms-trade campaign front, the feedback from the action at DDC (see last newsletter) was good, with hopes to follow it up in the future. There was plenty of news of larger-scale campaigns involving Amnesty and AfrI, and it was agreed that we should set up some photo sessions to encourage people to support the Million Faces project. Locally, there were proposals for a postcard campaign using artwork by Axel Miret, and plenty of letters to local and national newspapers to highlight the need for medicines in Iraq, and to ask that the money/ space/ energy put into the use of Shannon airport for military purposes be diverted into sending medical and humanitarian aid (more below). Some information from the Cuba Support Group was also passed round. BREAK.

The need to explore the working practice of the social forum movement was talked about next, looking at the charter of principles first, but soon widening to other issues. The involvement of large political groups was seen as a potential for disruption, as in other forums it seems that one groups political agenda can at times dominate the group, sidetracking them from their collective aims. This highlighted the need for more facilitators to share the burden, and also to make sure that the discussions keep their focus. The low attendance was noted, in contrast to the large mailing list of people wishing to keep in touch with the forum. The idea of rotating venues having proved to make not much difference to peoples ability to attend, it was suggested that we should have a few permanent information points around the county, with Linc seen as a possible point in the city. To encourage more people to come along, it was felt that we should hold a social event around Christmas/Solstice, which could perhaps be advertised at the Cork samba busk.

December was seen as too soon to organise a launch, so Imbolc in February was mooted as the next significant date to aim for, perhaps running the same programme on separate days in West Cork and the City. U.C.C. was suggested as the venue for Cork, with Conor agreeing to sound them out, and Lily agreed to contact Leades House for the second day. Apart from workshops, other ideas were for Cork produce and information stalls, film shows, and entertainment for the evening. Some felt that it would be better to hold ongoing workshops over the two days, and a facilitation workshop was seen to be important. Possible speakers etc. to be contacted before next meeting.

John Ryan agreed to facilitate the next forum meeting. Many thanks to Linc for the venue and all their help.