G8 Independent / Alternative Media Convergence, London May 14-15

In order to prepare independent coverage of the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, and the various activities being planned around the summit (See CONTEXT section below), Indymedia UK will be hosting an independent/alternative media convergence on 14-15 May, 2005, in London.

The convergence will be a great opportunity for independent journalists, media activists, techs, and artists from all over Europe to meet each other, find out what this summit is all about, and plan non-corporate media coverage.

This will also be the a good time to form working groups (by media and by languages) and to discuss organization issues beforehand.

There's a program proposal for the convergence at the end of this post. Please direct any proposals or comments you may have about that to the email list address: imc-g8-2005 at lists.indymedia.org

If you intend to come to the media convergence and/or for the summit, please fill out the registration form below and e-mail it to us (email: contact at indymedia.org.uk with the word "Registration" in the subject line). This email list is not publicly archived and your details will not be put on public view.

All corporate media reporters, except ones that we invite due to their honesty and integrity, are barred from participating in this convergence.

NOTE: Even if you don't get involved with the planning, if you're going to come you should subscribe to the announcements email list for the convergence, found at  http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-g8-2005-announce You will not receive much email from this list, but it will be the main way in which we will notify people of schedule changes, venues, etc.

CONTACTING US

Please note that all lists below are publicly archived in the interest of transparency, so anything you send to them will end up on the web.

General e-mail and planning: imc-g8-2005 at lists.indymedia.org

Questions and/or proposals about technical stuff: imc-uk-tech at
lists.indymedia.org

About the program for the Media Convergence: imc-g8-2005 at lists.indymedia.org

About Indymedia UK: imc-uk-outreach at lists.indymedia.org

LANGUAGES Most of the convergence events will be held in English (with translation when needed) and we'll do our best to provide translations (please indicate your preferred language(s) and if you can help translating on your registration form).

HOUSING Indymedia will organize housing for people from outside London (see form below).

FINANCING Monetary contributions for the convergence are on a voluntary basis (but would be greatly appreciated).

EQUIPMENT The convergence would be a great time to drop off any equipment you're willing to lend (or donate) to Indymedia for July. For details on what we could use, please contact  g8-gear@aktivix.org

STAYING IN TOUCH In order to receive all important info about the convergence, you should subscribe to imc-g8-2005-announce at this URL :  http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-g8-2005-announce

REGISTRATION FORM - Please fill out if you intend to come either to the convergence or for the summit. Please send back to imc-uk-contact at lists.indymedia.org as soon has possible (with the word Registration on the subject line)

NAME(S)/NICK (if you're forming a group, please write all names/nicks):

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? :

MEDIA (OR ORGANISATION) :

EMAIL:

*PHONE NUMBER :

PREFERRED LANGUAGE(S), IF NOT ENGLISH:

WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE? For the convergence (Friday evening on May 13, Saturday morning on May 14, other...) ?: For the Summit (from July 1 to 9) ? :

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 HAVE SPECIALS NEEDS FOR HOUSING? (i.e. no pets, women only space, no stairs, others...)

DO YOU PLAN TO DROP OFF SOME EQUIPMENT FOR INDYMEDIA? WHAT?

ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO LEND A HAND DURING THE CONVERGENCE?

*You don't have to answer these questions

PROGRAM PROPOSAL FOR THE MEDIA CONVERGENCE
Note that this is a proposal. If you have comments, ideas, or anything to contribute to the program, please contact imc-g8-2005 at lists.indymedia.org

PROPOSED PROGRAM
Friday, 13 May 2005
Evening: Pre-convergence drinks

Saturday, 14 May 2005
9:00 Convergence begins, introductions
9:45 Maps, video, holograms of the Summit site in Scotland
10:30 Outline of preparations so far
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Media assembly begins - decision-making body for independent media
coverage
15:00 Working group meetings begin (video, audio, tech, mobile, print, etc.)
17:00 Feedback to media assembly
18:00 Food, evening entertainment

Sunday, 15 May 2005
9:30 Media assembly begins - decision-making body for independent media
coverage
10:30 Break into working groups (video, audio, tech, mobile, print, etc.)
12:00 Lunch
1:00 More working group meetings
3:00 Feedback to media assembly
5:00 Food, evening entertainment

CONTEXT
The leaders of the Group of 8 (G8) industrialized nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), hold a summit meeting every year to make decisions about major political and economic issues. Over the past ten years, the G8 summits have been increasingly challenged by global social movements and have had to retreat to relatively remote locations in order to meet. This year, the G8 summit will be held at the Gleneagles golf course in Scotland, about one hour north of Edinburgh.

Major protest actions are planned to coincide with the Summit. A network of independent media producers will provide non-corporate coverage of the demonstrations from 1-9 July 2005.