SUMMARY 2003
NESEHNUTÍ Brno
An independent social-environmental
movement NESEHNUTÍ was founded in the fall 1997 in Brno with the goal of being
actively involved in human rights, environment and animal rights related
issues. The local group is currently leading several long-term campaigns in
selected areas of focus. In addition to that we initiate various ad hoc or
short term projects in reaction to current events or participate in such
activities initiated by other organizations.
Human
rights CAMPAIGNS
Arms
or human rights?
The focus of our
antimilitaristic activities is to bring attention to the questionable arms
exports from the Czech Republic. “We monitor weapon exports from the Czech
Republic carefully and almost every month we notice very questionable exports
i.e. to countries with civil wars underway where governments practice state
terror against its citizens etc.,” says the campaign coordinator Milan
Štefanec. NESEHNUTÍ tries to initiate a public discussion of this issue and
want to break through the information blockade of the Czech ministries
concerning the weapon exports. The main goal is to encourage a ban on exports
into countries where arms could be used to violate human rights. In 2003 were
organized a number of protest rallies and awareness raising events –
demonstrations in front of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, lectures at
schools, activities against the arms fair IDET and other. The most significant
was the rally in front of the building of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in
Prague. While approximately 15 activists, with banners, held a protest
gathering at the entrance of the building, two other people repelled down above
the entrance and hung a banner “Czech arms kill in Yemen, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe,
Algeria, Angola, Syria and Columbia.” NESEHNUTÍ has been very successful at
bringing the issue to the attention of the mainstream media (TV, press and
radio).
WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN
RIGHTS
The campaign inspects the
traditional division of the male and female role in society and related issues.
Activists of NESEHNUTÍ are trying to shift the discussion of feminism, women’s
rights and gender studies from the academic circles to everyday life. The core
of the campaign in 2003 was a series of 6 seminars on women’s rights. The
seminars were in big demand. They covered topics from feminist history to
gender role and stereotypes discussion, violence against women, equal treatment
from employers, ecofeminism and international women’s movements. In the spring were published two new publications – “Equal
employment opportunities for men and women” and “Equal educational
opportunities for girls and boys.” NESEHNUTÍ joined 10 other non-profit
organizations from various regions in the Czech Republic in “Campaign against
domestic violence against women”. The goal of the campaign was to increase
awareness of domestic violence phenomenon and to strengthen the attitude of its
unacceptability. Educational events for the public were held throughout the
year.
FOOD NOT BOMBS
“Each year billions of dollars are spent on new and
more effective arms while millions of people around the world go hungry. To
raise awareness of the issue we regularly distribute free food to the needy. We
also want to draw attention to the value of compassion and altruistic help”, says Dušan Rosenbaum about the Food not
Bombs campaign. NESEHNUTÍ distribute a vegan meal in Brno downtown once a month
attracting the attention of homeless and socially impaired people. Apart from
the food distribution activists also organize many other events in cooperation
with an association Nový prostor (New Space) in Brno with the goal of
helping homeless people develop normal social contacts (movie projections,
Christmas parties etc.).
OTHER PROJECTS
In early spring NESEHNUTÍ organized its second
demonstration against the war in Iraq in cooperation with other Brno-based
organizations (the first one was held in February). NESEHNUTÍ was one of the
co-organizers of the 5th festival of documentary films festival “One World”,
which takes place in Brno in mid-April and whose main organizer is the Člověk
v tísni (People in need) foundation. Two of the NESEHNUTÍ activists were
selected as independent OBSE monitors of the October presidential elections in
Azerbaijan. They were able to give an independent testimony of the manipulated
elections. During the week on December 8 till 13 the first annual festival
called “The Days of Caucasus” took place in Brno. The goal of the festival was
to present the rich history and culture of the nations of the Caucasus region
and its current problems to the public. As part of the festival four public
discussions were held, as well as three tastings of traditional meals,
screening of documentary films, photographic exhibition, concert of ethnic music
and protest rally in front of the Russian Embassy in Brno. The purpose of the
protest rally was to draw the attention of the Czech public to the scandalous
case when of a group of about 60 Chechnya refugees was expatriated from the
Czech Republic after their application for asylum was denied. Thanks to close
relationship with the Chechnya refugees placed in the refugee camp
in Zastávka u Brna NESEHNUTÍ started organizing regular Saturday morning
activities for children. On these days a group of volunteers prepares a program
of games, contests and interest groups for children of the foreigners applying
for asylum in the Czech Republic.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS
FOCUS ON HYPERMARKETS
„We believe it is very important to provide
informational support to those who decide to resist further building of hyper
and supermarkets in their municipalities“, says Filip Fuchs, one of the coordinators of the
campaign. In Brno NESEHNUTÍ regularly attends planning committee meetings for
new building projects. Elsewhere, activists provide legal advice. In the spring
of 2003 a Japanese Sasakawa Peace Foundation evaluated the project “Public
discussion of hypermarkets” as the best environmental project in the Czech
Republic. An exhibition created by NESEHNUTI toured the Czech and Slovak
Republics the whole year bringing to the public information about the negative
impact of hyper and supermarkets. Recently we have noticed an increased media
demand for the campaign outputs, information and commentaries on various controversial
cases.
CROSSING THE ROAD SAFELY
In 2003 we have continued our activities aimed at
stopping the process of abolishing of crosswalks in Brno and their
re-introduction in places where pedestrians frequently cross roads. Foundation
Nadace Partnerství awarded this campaign as the project of the month. The first
event of the campaign was a January seminar which brought together traffic
experts from both governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations
to enable a discussion of means to ensure pedestrian safety. In September,
during a week of awareness raising of the negative aspects of automobile use NESEHNUTÍ submitted a petition
requesting that the abolishing of crosswalks is reconsidered. Drawing attention
to this problem was a goal of a protest cyclo-ride organized by NESEHNUTÍ and
other Brno organizations on the “Car-free Day”.
SAFE THE WILSON FOREST
At the end of 2002 NESEHNUTÍ joined the dispute about
a potential reconstruction and enlargement of a ski slope in the Wilson forest.
This would mean logging 560 trees. In the spring NESEHNUTÍ initiated the
formation of an informal “Coalition to Safe the Wilson Forest” where together
with other organizations tried to have the plans squelched for good. On March
22 a celebration of the first day of the spring was held there. During the
celebration paper trees were symbolically planted in the area of the current
neglected ski slope. Contests for children and a guided nature walk were held.
New live trees were planted right by the ski slope. At the end of 2003 it was
almost certain that the plans for reconstruction of the slope had been
abandoned and alternative locations were being discussed.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
NESEHNUTÍ have continued to coordinate the project
“Brno Traffic Circle” which brings together traffic experts and environmental
organizations and participates in various traffic issues in Brno. In 2003 a
local Brno group organized a total of 7 theme nights together with NESEHNUTÍ
during which interesting environmental and human rights related films were
screened, followed by a discussion. In 2003 NESEHNUTÍ Brno ran a theme public
library and continue to publish a newsletter ALARM every 2-3 months with a
print run in edition of 250-300 pieces.
The functioning
of the local group Boskovice in 2003 was affected by a departure of several
activists from the group. On the positive note they have managed to find a
space for our meetings – Klubík centre on the Plačkova street every third
Sunday in a month (11:00 a.m.).
Human rights
Women’s Day
On March 8
the Boskovice chapter of NESEHNUTÍ prepared posters “How to Enjoy Your Woman”.
The posters contained eight entertaining suggestions for women and men on how
to free themselves from preconceptions of traditional roles of men and women in
society. Activists published an article on the history and the meaning of the
International Women’s Day and on the status of respecting women’s rights around
the world in the local newspaper. A party directed by women and with the most
women performers too took place in the local
music club Sklepy.
One World
In November
the first annual festival One World took place in Boskovice. The screenings
lasted for 3 days and had a sub-title “Woman-World-Family”. NESEHNUTÍ Boskovice
contributed by organizing an exhibition of photographs called ”Pictures of War”
and facilitating a forum with Milan Štefanec from NESEHNUTÍ Brno about the
situation in Chechnya.
Eco-Hike
Together with
a local streetworker and Klubík centre was organized a hike over Boskovice
tourist trails in April during which people picked garbage along the trails.
Car-free Day
Car-free Day
took place as part of the Healthy City of Boskovice project. Activists from
NESEHNUTÍ took part in a cycling tour on local bike rails organized by the
Czech Tourist Club.
Save Kailás
NESEHNUTÍ
Boskovice supported a campaign of Lungta society to save Tibet’s holy mountain
Kailás. They managed to obtain nearly sixty signatures on petition postcards
that appeal to UNESCO representatives to proclaim the mountain one of the
world’s natural legacies and prevent a construction of a highway that the
Chinese government plans to build in order to raise its profit from the
tourism.
Animal rights
Why animal
rights?
During the
year activists held 2 lectures on animal rights and vegetarianism. The first
one took place in the Klubík centre under the title “Animal Graveyard and Why
Animal Rights?” in April. The second one was based on an invitation from a
Special School and Children’s Home Boskovice for children at the primary school
in December. The lectures were accompanied by a screening of a documentary film
made by Association
for Protection of Farm Animals from Prostějov. Vegetarian snacks
were served during the program.
For the third
time in a row NESEHNUTÍ along with friends from Yoga Association Blansko and
with a financial support from the Healthy City of Boskovice project,
participated in the October celebrations of vegetarianism. On October 1
(International Day of Vegetarianism) activists set up an info stall on the
Boskovice square offering meatless spreads and informational leaflets. In three
restaurants were arranged offers of vegetarian specials menu for discount
prices. Days of Vegetarianism were completed on October 9 by a “Goulash
potluck” with a sub-title “How vegetarians live” containing forum with
vegetarian-guests and offer of vegan goulash..
Festivals
In 2002 NESEHNUTÍ organised a
number of info stalls with a materials about human rights, environment and
animal rights. Along with the information vegan spreads were offered. NESEHNUTÍ
operated the info stalls during a Day of Earth in Blansko, a cultural festival
“Boskovice 2003” in July and at a festival “3+1” in Letovice at the end of
summer. There they also presented an anti-war photo-exhibition and won a price
for the second best non-profit organisation at the festival. One of the
fundraising activities of the local group is a sale of vegan baguettes in a
local music club Sklepy.
NESEHNUTÍ Příbram
Human rights
A Day for Tibet
On March 10 a traditional Day for
Tibet took place in Příbram. Activists played music on the street, offered
tibetian tea and created big “mandala” for Tibet.
One World
Echo
NESEHNUTÍ and
a local high school organized a festival of documentary films “One World” at
the cinema-cafe from March 10 to March 15. Film screenings were accompanied by
discussions and a concerts of art schools in Příbram.
Days for
Africa
Some of the
NESEHNUTÍ activists together with a tea-house “Club on Earth” helped organize a
seminary “Days for Africa” in the autumn. Experts on African culture, languages
and ethnicity gave presentations. There were also discussions, drumming
workshop and an ethno-concert in Junior Club Příbram.
Environment
Clean-up projects
Throughout the whole year activists
of NESEHNUTÍ Příbram organized several cleanings of illegal dumps. By one of
them activists started cooperation with the municipal office in Chrást and has
turned the clean up projects into regular events since then. These involved
surrounding fields, meadows, forests and edges of roads that get poluted by
insufficiently secured waste collecting trucks. The municipal office addressed
this problem by imposing stricter regulations on the company operating waste
collection. In March activists participated in burning of wooden sticks in
cooperation with Forestry Příbram. In April they took part in tree
planting project around the town in cooperation with the Waldorf School again.
Let’s eco-ride
In mid May members of NESEHNUTÍ as
well as its supporters and pupils of the Waldorf School participated in a bike
ride through Příbram and its surroundings.
Day of Music
Last year’s Day of Music in Příbram held on June 20 had a
subtitle “Day of Music and Environment”. In the morning the Waldorf School
participated in a clean up of an illegal dump at Svatá Hora. In the afternoon
several local bands performed at various popular locations around town.
NESEHNUTÍ Trutnov
The Trutnov chapter of NESEHNUTÍ was
founded in August 2003.
Day of Earth
Even prior to the official
establishment of the local NESEHNUTI chapter Trutnov activists had participated
in the so called “Igelitiáda” together with the Czechoslovak Husit Church.
“Igelitiáda” is a well established tradition of a spring cleaning of the river
Úpa. Last year a total of 150 people participated in Trutnov and Úpice.
Summer festivals
Another of the projects activists
participated in was a music and theatre festival for the vicarage and the
church in Horní Maršov „Slunovrat 2003“. Proceeds from the festival was
contributed towards a project of the Center for Environmental Education and Ethics
“Sever” and the House for Restoration of Customs, Environment and Culture
“Dotek”. At the festival of music and theatre “Pecka 2003” that took place near
Nová Paka NESEHNUTÍ introduced its activities at an info stall.
Car-free Day
NESEHNUTÍ
Trutnov celebrated the Car-free Day by organizing a bike ride through the town
during which were distributed leaflets and stickers informing about the negative aspects of
automobile use.
NESEHNUTÍ Zlín
Human rights
Maršo performs in Zlín
The Zlín chapter of NESEHNUTÍ opened the year 2003
with organizing a concert of a Chechnya childrens‘ dance group “Maršo”. With a
support from the director of the Big Cinema and a few other local interest
groups activists prepared an interesting program not only for the visitors of
the concert but also for the performers. Children had the opportunity to visit
the Zlín film studios and screening of several films. They also met with the
Chief of the Zlín county. Over 800 people came to see Maršo performation. They
also had an opportunity to visit an exhibition of photographs of Iva Zímová and
an exhibition of Chechnya children´s art. NESEHNUTÍ collected nearly CZK 15 000
on donations which were sent to support the citizens of Grozny, the Chechnya
capital struggling with war.
Food not Bombs
At the beginning of March NESEHNUTÍ Zlín launched its
the first Food not Bombs action. They prepared 50 doses of meal from donations
from local small businesses. Along with the food were distributed leaflets
informing about this project. Gradually the distribution of food became a
regular event and now activists distribute food at the local bus station every
first Friday in a month. They use this opportunity to recruit new distributors
of the “The New Space” magazine which had until then been unavailable in Zlín
too.
Day for Tibet
“Four Days for Tibet” in Uherské Hradiště commemorated
the anniversary of the occupation of Tibet. NESEHNUTÍ organized an exhibition
of photographs and offered information leaflets in the student´s club at the
local high school. There was also screening of movies of the People in need
foundation and music performances. The Zlín Magistrate joined the Flag for
Tibet campaign and put up the tibetian flag at the City Hall.
Against the War
Zlín participated in the international protests
against the war in Iraq. NESEHNUTÍ organized a “Day for the Victims of War in
Chechnya”. Journalist Petra Procházková and an activist Jana Hradílková came
from the Prague association Berkat to give lectures and there was a screening of
a film „Chechnya lullaby“.
Environment
Day of Earth
With a support of the environmental department of the
Zlín Magistrate Eco-market was organized as part of the Day of Earth
celebration on April 18. A number of eco-product´s producers and merchants
participated. There were demonstrations of handicrafts and presentations
of Children of the Earth and NESEHNUTÍ too. One of the focuses was promotion of waste recycling. For children
were prepared number of various games.
Clean-up projects
During April and May activists of NESEHNUTÍ Zlín
organized several walks around the city and cleaned several waterholes and
a drinking water tank in Slušovice and Nové Dvory.
Car-free day
Together with the Children of
Earth Zlín NESEHNUTÍ organized a day of contests for children on September 16
with the goal of promoting ecological means of transport. This was followed by
a bike ride through the city during which were distributed leaflets with an
appeal “Leave the car at home”. Activists presented the City Hall with a bike
rack in order to remind of the lack of those in the streets of the city. However, to date not even the one they
donated has been installed in front of the building.
Animal rights
Information stall
Together with the Association for Protection of Farm
Animals (OHZ) from Prostějov the local group set up an info stall offering
information about fur farms and treatment of laboratory animals. There was also
an exhibition of photographs from Czech fur farms at the info stall. Visitors
were offered the opportunity to sign a petition requesting a ban on fur farms
in the Czech Republic and to sample vegan spreads and beauty products not
tested on animals.
Day for Laboratory Animals
Day for Laboratory Animals was organized by NESEHNUTÍ
and OHZ. They set up an info stall at the square displaying photographic
documentation of suffering inflicted upon animals in laboratories. There was a
petition against animal testing available at the stall for visitors to sign.
Fundraising concert
On May 24 a ska-reggae festival took place in Holešov
with a purpose of fundraising for NESEHNUTÍ Zlín. The concert was organized in
cooperation with Friends of Art Society (SPU99) from Holešov. As part of the
event a film from the archive of People in need foundation called “Life and
Debt” was screened.