Comments for openSummit: An openDemocracy Blog

Comment on How do women best influence the political agenda? by tony

tony — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:25:20 +0000

We have just had an election in Ireland. Before the election 13 per cent of our public representatives were women. After the election that has gone down to 12 per cent. That is pathetic. Given that they are in the majority all women have to do is mark a ballot paper. When people like me argue that it is important to increase women’s representation we just get abuse from women. They insist on voting for the same corrupt male celebrities who have no problem being re-elected.

Comment on What came out of the G8 summit for women? by Global Voices Online » G8 Summit: Is the world a better place yet?

Global Voices Online » G8 Summit: Is the world a better place yet? — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:59:19 +0000

[...] Patricia Daniel, on openDemocracy’s openSummit blog reported on the G8 Summit and Alternative Summit from the perspective of women’s rights. She advises readers not to bother reading the G8-Summit declarations. “They mainly contain bland statements which commit the G8 to nothing,” she says. [...]

Comment on G8 summit poDcast + conclusions by G8 Summit 2007 in Germany closes with a fizzle. Will Africa’s voices fall silent? - AfricanLoft

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:37:04 +0000

[...] the G8 Summit 2007 and the Alternative G8 Summit. See the great work by Patricia Daniel and the summit summary post by Jessica Reed. The openDemocracy open blogs section has an article by Chukwu Emeka Chikezie titled Africa at the [...]

Comment on Take Serious Action on Burma and Free Aung San Suu Kyi by Khin Nyo

Khin Nyo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:31:12 +0000

Although you could not make Chinese to convince why Burmese people needs democracy and freedom of Daw Aung San Su Kyi, I hope G8 can make Russia to persuade China. We have been waiting for a change in Burma since 1962, may my grandchildren can see democracy and development in Burma. China, who is the communist country can enjoy the richness of capitalism and free trade why China could not do the same for Burma, I saw China is very selfish and it is hard to see your own weakness.

Comment on Who is really listening to African women’s voices? by Lynette Lloyd

Lynette Lloyd — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:49:24 +0000

It’s women like Zinhle who will change things and empower other women. Thanks to her they have a voice.

Comment on The Fear of Fundamentalisms by Screen Sifar

Screen Sifar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:53:06 +0000

I have’nt yet fully analysed the impact that being in Gujarat for the past two years has had on me.
Thats a walk down the lane of another angst filled memory lane that I need to take one of these days.
Here’s to survival, and to all the women who survived the violence(s) of Gujarat in 2002.
If democracy is being talked about then ,in every way that means addressing their survival, and sustenance.

Comment on The Fear of Fundamentalisms by Screen Sifar

Screen Sifar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:32:21 +0000

Thanks Alo for writing about me.

Comment on Who is really listening to African women’s voices? by BRE

BRE — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:23:06 +0000

I’m listening to African women’s voices during the G8 Summit 2007 at Heiligendamm and I am writing about it at my blog. The participation of African journalists, editors, and TV/Radio professionals like Zinhle Mapumulo and the rest of the Panos-London AfricaVox 2007 at this year’s G8 Summit has caught the attention of high-profile blog authors who write often about African issues and we are spreading the word.

Tell her to keep her head up and do her job without worrying about what the German G8 media handlers and demonstrators are all about. Most people here in Germany realize that the majority of the demonstrators at this summit don’t give damn about what happens in Africa, but are focused on their own selfish agendas and maximizing TV news “air time”. It’s a disgrace but it was also to be expected.

Thanks for the Heads Up on Zihnle’s view so far.

Comment on The Fear of Fundamentalisms by Gladly Beyond Any Distance :: The fear of fundamentalisms

Gladly Beyond Any Distance :: The fear of fundamentalisms — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:04:51 +0000

[...] Open Democracy has set up a blog for women’s voices to be represented at the G8 summit, called ‘Open Summit: Women talk to the G8‘. They invited contributions (and are continuing to do so, for those who want to share); this was mine, cross-posted here. [...]

Comment on It’s Getting Hot Out Here by jylle benson-gauss

jylle benson-gauss — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:57:12 +0000

Having just read Jared Diamond’s book Collapse, the consequences of denial or refusing to act NOW to create sustainable economies and populations are very dire.
In the United States, our actions in invading Iraq and our inaction in preparing for Hurricane Katrina should have taught us this lesson: actions and inaction have consequences that we cannot always control.

We cannot alter reality by refusing to recognize it. Faith is not a substitute for reason. The consequences of global warming are clearly spelled out. We do not have time to negotiate if we are to avoid the two-degree mark. The window of opportunity for creating sustainable societies built on non-polluting renewable energy, and less wasteful lifestyles – this window is closing. Soon feedback mechanisms will take over and all our good actions will be too little, too late.