Biofuel Delusion and Granfaloons: Quo vadis?

Many people believe that growing our ago-biofuel will improve energy security and independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote rural development. We show that such perceived advantages are quite simply not the case.
We argue that large-scale biofuel production will perpetuate the industrial-agriculture paradigm, thereby further decaying rural society rather than promoting it, as some claim. We present our critique of the powerful forces in industrial agriculture that are pushing for biofuel production, which can be termed as “Granfaloons”. We expose some of the ugly ways that science and politics have been framed in order to serve vested interests, rather than society at large.

From Minamata to Fukushima

Peace. Democracy. Human Rights. What do you imagine when you hear these words? Serenity, equality, happiness? A static state, or something that’s always changing? Everything just appearing peaceful is not enough. If we really want peace and democracy, we have to work at it all the time. We will lose it if we do not live it. And “we” doesn’t mean someone else. It means you and it means me. And we have to work at it even if we are told, “realistically, it’s difficult” or “it can’t be done right now,” or “it’s not practical.”

We may have figured out what is wrong, but that’s not enough in itself. The key thing is to figure out how we can change it and then to make that happen.

I will talk about this universal challenge based on my own experiences with mercury pollution in Minamata, radiation in Fukushima, and working to end nuclear power in Japan

Language, Peace, Education and Action: Myths, Metaphors and Methods

A growing number of individuals, groups and organizations around the globe are working to spread “peace beyond boundaries” in the quest for a world without war. One aspect of working for peace involves breaking down barriers such as hate, ignorance andprejudice that divide peoples, cultures and nations. Anotheraspect involves breaking down conceptual barriers that prevent empowerment, energy and action.
One barrier faced by educators is the existence of a number of common “myths” about war that are widely shared by people of all ages. These touch on topics such as violence, human nature and history. These popular misconceptions prevent a proper understanding of the nature of war, lead to cynicism and doubt, and discourage active participation – especially among youth – in the global campaign for a more peaceful future. Another barrier concerns language. This involves both terminology – the words we employ to talk about conflict and violence – as well as the metaphors people use, and the impact these have, in discussions of war and peace.
In this talk, the presenter will critique a number of these common “myths” about war, outline how language, terminology and metaphors impact our understanding of peace, and discuss methods that can be used by educators and activists to more effectively promote “peace beyond boundaries”.

Attacking BIHE: Denying Higher Education to Iran’s Largest Minority

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates both religious freedom and the right to education, yet Iran’s largest minority, the Baha’is, are being denied both. Although the principles of the Baha’i Faith include world peace, obedience to government and non-involvement in politics, Baha’is in Iran have faced persecution since the founding of their faith there in 1844.  Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, this persecution has been systematized.  Baha’is have been threatened, their property confiscated and their leaders imprisoned.  Moreover, they are not allowed to attend universities in Iran.  To provide university education to their young, educated Iranian Baha’is united with Baha’is living around the world to establish the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE).  The New York Times called this online education system ＜an elaborate act of communal self-preservationｃ.  Yet recently, a number of BIHE teachers have been arrested.  Government leaders and human rights groups around the world have protested this further attack on the Baha’is human rights, but the situation is little known in Japan.  This presentation will strive to provide background information and serve as a forum to discuss possible actions that can be taken to show that people living in Japan, too, are concerned about these developments.