Indonesian Women to Discuss their Experience with Canadian Mining Companies, November 7
Rima Mananta, an indigenous Indonesian community leader, and Inda Fatinaware, a long-time environmental campaigner with Friends of the Earth Indonesia will arrive in Atlantic Canada next week to bear witness to the decades-long struggle of communities with the Canadian-owned INCO nickel mine and smelter in Sorowako, in the island archipelago of Indonesia.
Presentations on INCO in Indonesia will be given at UPEI on Tuesday, November 7 at 10 am in the Main Building, Room 220, and again at 7 pm at the Atlantic Veterinary College, Lecture Theatre D. Both events are open to the public and free.
"PEI students and the public need to be aware of what our tax dollars are supporting and subsidizing in southern islands. As with our own island, these are places particularly vulnerable to the ecological damages wrought by mining," points out Dr. Irene Novaczek of the Institute of Island Studies. "We encourage the university community and general public to come out to these important and provocative presentations, as there are lessons to be learned for PEI, and a clear need for us to show solidarity with islanders in the south whose rights are being violated through activities that are subsidized by our federal government."
The tour has been organized by MiningWatch Canada, the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), and the United Steelworkers' Humanity Fund. The Charlottetown leg of the tour is being sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies, CUSO, the Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program of UPEI, and Development and Peace. The focus of Development and Peace for the next two years is to hold Canadian mining companies operating overseas to account for their policies and activities.
Following the east coast tour, the Indonesian women will travel to Montreal to attend the November 14th government roundtable on mining, where they will call on the Canadian government to regulate Canadian mining, oil and gas companies operating overseas.
"Regrettably, Canadian mining has been, and continues to be, linked to grave human rights abuses, pollution, deforestation, violence, and health problems associated with poverty and exposure to toxins," notes Dr. Almut Beringer of the UPEI Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program. "We are happy to be part of the network that has brought the story of INCO in Indonesia to the attention of Canadians and the government."
For further information please contact:
Dr Irene Novaczek
Institute of Island Studies
Ph 566 0386
