Subject: Reports, evaluations, plans ...
Dear friends,
six weeks after the Global Days, some of us are already
thinking about what should come next. The Dutch branch of
Legalize! is making plans for an even better version of
the Amsterdam street party next year. Commitments have
already been made, and such a lot has been learned this
year, and such good new contacts have been made, that it seems
possible to go for a turnout of 25 to 50,000 people next time.
Before we make any new international plans, we should briefly
summarise this year's Global Days. We still do not have a
complete picture of what events actually took place, nor what
their results were. Nimrod Kerrett of Legalize! Israel has offered
to create a report; he'll contact you shortly for your input.
After a report has been made available we should briefly
evaluate, and see what options there are for the future.
Some points in this respect are:
- We should distinguish the two goals behind our efforts:
integrate and expand the reform movement; and address
the rest of the world (media, the general public).
How did we fare on these points?
- What role can there be for the 'Global Coalition'?
Should it link up with the ENCOD coalition?
Note that, together these coalitions consist of over
175 groups and organisations, which is a great resource;
and which can be greatly expanded, too. Note that
via the ENCOD coalition, we now have contacts with many
groups in Latin America and Asia.
- The group that organised the open letter to
Kofi Annan is already thinking about new
activities; how do we relate to that? Note
that there are direct links from the coalition
to that group. The open letter proved what
great result a sponsored media effort can have.
Given that we have so many organisations
participating in the coalition, this would
seem to open up some options in this respect.
We should also take account of individual initiatives
that already exist, such as the 'First International
Conference for the Repeal of Prohibition' that is being
planned for November in Zurich. An event like that might
provide a good element for Global Days in 1999.
I'll post this message on events@legalize.org as well,
so that those interested can participate in discussion.
For now, regards,
Harry Bego
