March, 2004: Genetic Engineering Action Conference

In collaboration with Californians for GE-Free Agriculture and the Genetic
Engineering Action Network presents:

The 2004 National GEAN Conference March 12th-14th
University of California at Berkeley
Sign up online now!!! http://www.geaction.org/conference2004.html
****************************************************

Below:
-Why attend this conference?
-Registration, Travel Scholarships and Housing
-About GEAN and Californians for GE-Free Agriculture

Why Attend this Conference?
As Genetic Engineering (GE) in agriculture continues to grow so too have the
numbers and efforts of people who seek to challenge it. But to seriously
challenge an industry with such heavy support from political, economic,
educational, and public institutions requires coordination between the many
local, regional and national groups working to expose and challenge
agricultural biotechnology.

The Genetic Engineering Action Network (GEAN) is organizing this year's
National GEAN Conference to take a step toward building and strengthening
a more coordinated and proactive GE movement. The conference will
feature workshops from over 30 issue experts and leaders from the
movement.

Friday, March 12th 7pm: A Public Forum on Friday, March 12th hosted by
Californians for GE-Free Agriculture

Saturday and Sunday, March 13th(9am-7:30pm) and 14th (9am-6pm):
Skill-building workshops, information sessions, regional and issue-based
strategy sessions and caucuses, and more...

Information sessions will cover:
Basic Biotech 101
Emerging Technologies: Nanotech, Pharmcrops, etc.
Report from Cancun and Miami
Latest Findings in Scientific Reports
Patents and Legal Issues Informational Session
Family Farmer's Battle Against GE Foods
National, State, and Local Legislative Briefing

Activist skills workshops will cover:
Grassroots Organizing
How to Run Corporate Campaigns
Fundraising 101: Grants and Individuals
Working with the Media and Message Development
Smart Meme Workshop
How to Build Your Local Group
Non Violet Direct Action Workshop
Campaign Development and Planning

Strategy Sessions will include:
Regional Strategy Sessions
Mapping the National Movement
Supermarkets Campaigning
Stop GE Wheat
Biodev 2004
Kraft Caucus Food Industry Caucus
Californians for GE Free Agriculture
Pharm Crops

Registration and More Information:
To register go to http://www.geaction.org/conference2004.html. Email
conference [at] geaction.org or call 617.661.6626 to find out more!

Need Based Travel Assistance and Housing Available:

GEAN and Californians for GE-Free Agriculture are pleased to report that
we've established a travel support fund for those who want to attend the
conference but may not be able to afford the costs. We are committed to
bringing all the remarkable people in the GE movement together and we want
to make sure you can join us.

If you need help with transportation or lodging, please let us know! Our basic
package is $100, with additional support available based on your particular
circumstances. We are working on free housing with local activists for
interested participants. Be sure to let us know as soon as possible if you
want
this kind of assistance.

Contact Kaitlin at conference [at] geaction.org or 617.661.6626

Call for Housing:
We are looking for Bay Area activists to volunteer to house people on Friday
and Saturday night. If you can house someone from out of town go to the
housing message board at http://www.geaction.org/conference2004.html

About the Genetic Engineering Action Network (GEAN): GEAN is a
national network that supports and furthers the work of organizations and
individuals working to expose the risks genetic engineering pose to the
environment, biodiversity and human health, as well as the socioeconomic
and ethical consequences of biotechnology in agriculture. GEAN is a
national network of grassroots activists, national and community non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), farmer and farm advocacy groups,
academics and scientists who have come together to work on the myriad of
issues surrounding biotechnology.

About Californians for GE-Free Agriculture: The Californians for GE-Free
Agriculture Coalition promotes economically, agronomically and
ecologically sustainable farming in California by stopping new GE crop
plantings in California. The Californians for GE-Free Agriculture Coalition
is unique in that it brings together farmer-based organizations with
consumer and environmental groups to halt the introduction of economically
and ecologically destructive genetically engineered (GE) crops.