Suggested Procedure for Production and Circulation of Minutes.
	The minutes of all AEIP meetings will be available on this website.  The reasons for this decision are detailed below.   Minutes should be regularly produced which contain a record of decisions and an accurate attendance list.  This information should be conveyed electronically via an e-mail list (without putting each individual’s e-mail address in the header).  The minutes should also be placed on widely read information sources – for instance, the Irish Indymedia site.      This means that: ·        People at subsequent meetings can refer directly to the record of what was decided. ·        That people who can not attend every meeting are kept informed of what was happening ·        People know who had volunteered to do a job, and whether (or not) it had been done, proved impractical, the person concerned had slipped up, whatever; ·        People know who had attended various meetings and how representative they were (or were not) ·        Because the meetings are, as far as possible, regularly held at the same time place and venue, it is easy to link up with the campaign.   It is often useful at the very end of the meeting if the chairperson or the minute-taker makes a quick summary of decisions, and who volunteered for different jobs.   This is what openness transparency and accountability means in practice.  Accurate attendance lists tell the reader how varied the meeting(s) are [or, are not].  It conveys a message that the campaign is (or is not) a front, or glove puppet, of another organisation.  That is a vital reason for including these details in circulated minutes.   Circumstances do arise where individuals do not want the fact that they attend particular meetings to become public knowledge – for example, where such publicity could endanger a person’s probationary period at work - in such cases arrangements can be made to protect an individual’s right to privacy.  Either the person does not sign the attendance sheet – or, with the agreement of all at the meeting, they can use a pseudonym.

Minutes of a Meeting of "Another Europe is Possible", (AEIP) held on Saturday January 17 2004 @ 3.00pm in the Teachers' Club 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
	1.     Galway Protest : The meeting heard a report on the protest against an European Union Ministers’ Meeting in Galway (for further details se report on the Irish Indymedia site, www.indymedia.ie) 2.     Public Launch of "Another Europe is Possible"  : The meeting discussed a press conference on January 20. Most of the following press release was published in the “Irish Times” ”The Another Europe is Possible Alliance being press launched today condemns the Irish Government’s priorities for the EU Presidency: competitiveness, continued support for the so-called “war on terror”, making the asylum system more restrictive, and unconditionally promoting the draft EU Constitution. The “Another Europe is Possible” Alliance has other priorities: opposing neo-liberalism and privatisation, ending Irish support for war and occupations, and opposing the deportation of asylum seekers. The Alliance is also critical of the draft EU Constitution - which it says promotes the interests of big business and the militarisation of the EU rather than the needs of ordinary people. The Alliance will be organising protests and demonstrations on these issues during the Irish Presidency.” John Bisset introduced a discussion on the  public meeting launch in Liberty Hall on January 22 – a lengthy discussion followed. It was agreed to accept the offer of help from a facilitator; to keep platform speakers to a time limit of five minutes each; to decorate the room with flip-chart paper, and invite people to write what they hope “Another Europe” should look like; to break up the meeting into four sections based on different issues, and then @ the end bring everyone back and request feedback from a reporter.  A final list of speakers and a chairperson were agreed. Arrangements were made for collection of money, follow-up publicity and contact work, and so on.  The issue of wheelchair access was raised.  It was agreed to hold the meeting in the basement of Liberty Hall, which has a maximum capacity of 180 people.          3.     Publicity - Basis of Campaign : Brendan Young presented a draft text, the result of work done by a sub-committee given the job of producing an AEIP leaflet.  Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed to use this leaflet – further changes could be suggested by e-mail before production of a final text in time for the meeting. The meeting agreed to Brendan’s suggestion of a fourth slogan :       United Europe – Yes Global competition between People - No 4.     All Island Meeting of the AEIP : John Meehan and Brian Cuddy reported on sub- committee work – the date of February 21 for a meeting in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, was agreed.  Further contact will be made with groups outside Dublin, and report that is more detailed will be given to the next meeting.      5.     Anti Racist Protest / Other Activities  : Mark Grehan reported on protests organised by anti- racist groups against a meeting of European Union Justice Ministers being held in Dublin Castle on Friday January 23.  It was agreed we will try to find out what action, if any, the Irish Congress Of Trade Unions (ICTU), or its affiliates, propose to take in response to the European Trades Union Confederation (ETUC) statement opposing European Union neo-liberalism and privatisation, and calling for action on April 2-4 2004. It was noted that a meeting of the Dublin Social Forum would be held shortly to implement the decision to organise an Irish Social Forum “Co- operation and Solidarity” summit on the European Union (Note : this is taking place on Thursday January 29 @ 7.30pm in the Comhlámh offices, 10 Upper Camden St., Dublin 8 – convenor, Barry Finnegan).   6.     Finance, Literature : It was agreed to have a detailed discussion on this @ the next meeting. Bríd Smith gave an interim report.- as expected, setting up a bank account is proving difficult. Brendan Young got the go-ahead to produce and design three laminated boards for the AEIP. The next meeting will be on Saturday January 31 in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 @ 3.00-4.45pm. As tasks arise, they will be delegated to sub-committees.  We will book a room downstairs, to facilitate wheelchair access.

Minutes of meeting – Another Europe is Possible – Jan 10, 2004 at 3pm Teachers Club.
	1)       Meeting discussed changes to be made to initial statement of the Alliance. Rory Hearne noted changes and agreed to implement same. 2)       A Summary Document was agreed which would give more depth and clarity to the purpose of the alliance. The following volunteered to work on a draft for the next meeting: Orla, Kieran, Brendan, Rory. 3)       A longer document needed for the duration of the campaign to be prepared within one month. All affiliate groups and individuals to make submissions. 4)       Poster for the 22nd public meeting was agreed. 5)       Speakers agreed for public meeting: Chair of Trades Council, Richard Boyd Barrett of IAWM, Clare Daly of Anti Bin Tax campaign, woman representing immigrant groups, Jack O’Connor of SIPTU or Barry Nevin of Aer Rianta 6)       Brid and Orla to talk to Barry and Clare respectively on broadening out issues in their contributions. 7)       John Bissett proposed ideas to run public meeting in order to increase interaction and agreed to pull together proposals for next week. 8)       Posters and leaflets for 22nd to be printed and collected in Teachers Club Wednesday next between 7 and 9pm. 9)       Brid and Andy to work on finance. 10)   Proposal to organize fundraising for Valentines Day – Brid to report back. 11)   Barry agreed to make proposals for a singer/songwriters social. 12)   Immigrant groups, Residents Against Racism and UCD students to organize protest on Justice Ministers meeting for Friday 23rd Jan. 13)   Michael and Mark to work on organizing a gig for May Day. 14)   Press group to meet within next week and organize press conference for week of 22 Jan – preferably Monday or Tuesday. 15)   Reported that ETUC have called for social day of action on 2 and 3 April. Rory to report back with more info for next meeting. Des to check what ICTU are doing for these days. 16)   Galway protest on Friday 16 Jan – try to get support to the demo. 17)   Brid to follow up banner Another Europe is Possible – People before Profit Peace Not War. 18)   Brendan to organize displays to be used for press conferences etc 19)   Provisional date for national meeting of alliance 14th Feb – Brian and John to report back to next meeting. 20)   Address to be used volunteered by Mark – 12a Brunswick Place, Dublin 1. 21)   Next meeting Saturday 17 Jan at 3pm. Brid to book room.

Minutes of meeting – Another Europe is Possible – Jan 3, 2004.
	Public Launch of "Another Europe is Possible”: A launch date of January 22 - both a public meeting, press events and protest for immigrants and asylum seekers rights are to be organised. Suggested Speakers and Organisations to be followed up included: Jack O'Connor (SIPTU); AfrI; Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Oxigen Strikers; Residents Against Racism; Ivana Bacik; IAWM; Joe Higgins (Socialist Party);Anti Bin Tax Campaign (Dublin). Issues to be highlighted include: European Union immigration restrictions, racism; Closure and Privatisation of Prisons; Trial of Anti-War Activists (Mary Kelly and others); Volunteers offered to form a sub-committee and report back on this to the next meeting.   Publicity - Basis of Campaign: Rory Hearne read out text of a draft leaflet.  It was agreed to circulate this, and come back next meeting with suggestions, amendments, and so on. It was agreed that the campaign would use the document issued by the "Assembly of the Social Movements" at the conclusion of the recent European Social Forum in November 2003 in its publicity.    Website: Niav Keating agreed to set up a website for AEIP.   All Ireland Meeting, AEIP in Galway: Rory Hearne reported on the setting up of an AEIP Group in Galway.  After some discussion, it was agreed to set up a sub- committee, which will report on convening an All-Island meeting within the next two/three months to co-ordinate activity during the Irish EU Presidency. Volunteers who agreed to work on this included John Meehan, Brian Cuddy and M O'Sullivan.  In this context, proposals to prioritise activities on particular dates – for example May 1 2004 – could gain wider support.   Trade Union Support, Aer Rianta, Dublin Council of Trade Unions: Barry Nevin reported on initiatives to organise a representative cross-section of Union Branches to meet the SIPTU leader Jack O’Connor.  The importance of getting widespread support for a May 1 protest was stressed.  Des Bonass reported on discussions taking place within the Dublin Council of Trade Unions – information that is more definite will be publicly available after a meeting on Tuesday January 6.  It was agreed that we would invite Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) President Tom Ryan to speak at AEIP launch events.  It was also agreed to elect Des Bonass as AEIP contact person with the DCTU. It was agreed we would promote the ETUC statement opposing European Union neo-liberalism and privatisation, and calling for action on April 2-34 2004.   Finance, Literature: It was agreed to discuss finance in detail at the next meeting, and agree a set of activities.  Literature, particularly basic points of agreement, also needs to be finalised.  Also agreed to seek affiliation/sponsorship from different organisations, and raise some funds in this way.  Bríd Smith agreed to follow-up difficult problem of setting up a bank account.   Pascal Lamy Visit to Dublin: John Meehan and Deirdre de Búrca informed the meeting of the Democracy and Public Services in Europe (DAPSE)  organised protest against the EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy on Monday January 5 (NB see report and pictures on the Irish Indymedia site ( www.indymedia.ie ).  Also noted that a debate on these issues is taking place in the Irish Times letters page, Deirdre de Búrca has had a number of letters published.   Structure of Campaign: After discussion, it was agreed to meet regularly in the same venue @ the same time up to the launch on the 22nd.  It was agreed that Rory Hearne would be convenor of the alliance and that John Meehan, Deirdre de Búrca, Barry Nevin and Rory Hearne would work on media guidelines.

Minutes of Meeting - Another Europe is Possible - 13th December 2003.
	1.      Rory Hearne from Globalise Resistance chaired the meeting and explained that the aim of the meeting was to explore the possibility for forming an alliance of social movements to coordinate protest against the neo-liberal agenda of privatisation and war during Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency. He introduced four platform speakers: 1.1.   Barry Nevin, Civil Aviation Branch (Dublin Airport), SIPTU who outlined the moves by the government to ‘demerge’ Aer Rianta into three separate companies and the negative consequences that that would have. Barry backed the idea of coordinated action during the EU presidency. 1.2.   Paul Dillon, UCD Students Union explained how the ‘Bologna’ process is being used to cut back on quality of university education under the pretext of standardization with in the framework of free trade governed by Article 133 Nice treaty and the Gats agreement. He called on the social movements to spoil the government’s planned party on 01 May and show that the Celtic Tiger is not the model for Eastern Europe. 1.3.   Richard Boyd Barrett, Irish Anti-War Movement, outlined that the war and the government’s stance and support for imperialism were deeply unpopular. After 15 February the government’s approval rating fell by 9% in the opinion polls and has been sliding ever since. The government, which is weak and facing elections, is making desperate attempts to win back popularity. He called for an alliance/coalition of movements to coordinate a calendar of events: 20 March (Anti-War), Finance ministers meeting, 20 Feb (Art. 133 meeting), 01 May (suggested slogan “A Europe for People and the Environment – not for Profit and War”). 1.4.   John Bisset, Community Worker from the Canal Communities (Inchicore, Bluebell and Rialto) made the connection between the social forum movement (especially the recent ESFs in Florence and Paris) and the debates that take place there with his work on the ground in St.Michael’s Estate. Mass movements do not just spring up but require hard work on the ground and debate in forums such as the ESF. He illustrated the development of the St. Michael’s Estate culminating with the DoE attempting to depopulate the estate so that the land could be sold out of public ownership.   2.      The discussion was then opened to the floor under three headings 2.1.   Program of Events 2.2.   Coordinating Group 2.3.   What are we for/against 3.       A long discussion followed.   3.1.   There was widespread agreement for an alliance or a coalition of social movements 3.2.   An agreed calendar of events was accepted: 3.2.1.      01 May             Overarching Event (A party for the people to outdo the government’s party, all issues) 3.2.2.      20 February            Article 133 meeting (Protest against privatisation of public services) 3.2.3.      22/23 January            Launch of Alliance/coalition 3.2.4.      20 March            Anti-War Event to be organised by IAWM, PANA, NGO PA. (Endorsed by alliance/coalition). 3.2.5.      Other protests on other dates e.g. Protest at Environment Ministers Meeting in Waterford is already being organised locally. 3.3.   Coordinating Group: It was agreed after some debate that the form of the organising committee should be that it is open to all participating organisations/movements and to individuals that are able to contribute. The following people/organisations were nominated. All nominations are subject to ratification by the relevant organisation and/or acceptance by the person in question.  The next meeting was set for Saturday, 03 January in the Teacher’s club at 2 pm. 3.4.   On what we are for/against and tactics: the following is a summary of the consensus of the meeting 3.4.1.      We are not against Europe but instead are for another Europe. We are not against any move that will improve the conditions for the peoples of Eastern Europe. 3.4.2.      We are against the increasing militarisation of the EU, the growing dependence of the EU on the arms industry and the preferential trading status to be given to Israel and other Mediterranean states with appalling human rights records. 3.4.3.      The new proposed EU constitution strengthens further the systematic neo-liberal economic agenda within the EU. The structures and aims of the EU are not for the people but are for business and profit and all members states must conform to these. (Some speakers emphasised that some beneficial measures e.g. equal pay have come from the EU). Therefore the EU and the new EU constitution should be opposed. One speaker was of the opinion that it was right-wing capitalist ideology and the PD/FF government, which uses the EU as a smokescreen that should be opposed. 3.4.4.      We need to distance ourselves clearly from any ultra right-wing opponents of enlargement or the new EU constitution and be careful that our arguments cannot be twisted to represent us xenophobic, racist or wanting to deny those in Eastern Europe any improvement in their conditions. We are in solidarity with those peoples. 3.4.5.      We need to make the arguments with ordinary people on specific issues first e.g. privatisation and war before extrapolating to a less tangible argument against the new constitution. We require a simple program that all people can relate to. 3.4.6.      Large mobilisations will enhance the chance of rejection of the constitution at referendum. Some speakers thought that the mobilisations and the referendum campaign should be considered separately and run in parallel. 3.4.7.      The referendum will have to take place at some time (of the government’s choosing) between the signature of the constitutional treaty on 9 May 2004 and 31 December 2005. The government and the EU e.g. Prodi will present it as an ultimatum ‘take it or leave it’. 3.4.8.      This alliance/coalition needs to reach out to social movements outside Dublin and cannot be seen to be trying to dictate to others. In attendence; individuals and groups; (IPSC), (DAPSE),Green Party , (Sinn Fein), (Busworkers AG), (Community Worker), (NGO Peace Alliance), DC Anti-Bin Tax Campaign, (Community Workers, Fatima), (Oxigen Strike Committee), (DAPSE, ATTAC Ireland, Sustaining Ireland Coop), (Socialist Party), (SIPTU), (South East Social Forum), (Alliance for Choice), (GR), (SWP), WP, IAWM, PANA, ASTI, NCAD SU, UCD SU