Freetown Christiania

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Norway's capital, Oslo, was known as Christiania from 1624–1878, and Kristiania from 1878–1925.

Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania, but most commonly known amongst its inhabitants and visitors as "fristaden" or simply "staden", is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (85 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Christiania has established semi-legal status as an independent community.

Christiania's mission statement:

"The objective of Christiania is to create a self-governing society whereby each and every individual holds themselves responsible over the wellbeing of the entire community. Our society is to be economically self-sustaining and, as such, our aspiration is to be steadfast in our conviction that psychological and physical destitution can be averted."

History

Beginnings
Christiania was founded in 1971, when many people from different backgrounds began to take over an area of recently abandoned military barracks together as a protest against the Danish government. At the time many people in the larger Danish cities felt betrayed by the politicians, as they believed there was a lack of affordable housing. The inhabitants of the surrounding neighbourhood Christianshavn also wanted a green, open area for their children to use, away from the increasing traffic in Copenhagen. The spirit of Christiania quickly developed into one of communism, the hippie movement and the squatter movement, in sharp contrast to the site's previous military use.

One of the more influential participants in the founding of Christiania was Jacob Ludvigsen, who published a progressive and critical newspaper called Hovedbladet, which was intended and successfully distributed towards mostly young people. In the paper, Ludvigsen wrote an article in which he and five others went on exploration into what he termed 'The Forbidden City of the Military'. The article widely announced the proclamation of the free town, and among other things he wrote:

"Christiania is the land of the settlers. It is the so far biggest opportunity to build up a society from scratch - while nevertheless still incorporating the remaining constructions. Own electricity plant, a bath-house, a giant athletics building, where all the seekers of peace could have their grand meditation - and yoga center. Halls where theater groups can feel at home. Buildings for the stoners who are too paranoid and weak to participate in the race...Yes for those who feel the beating of the pioneer heart there can be no doubt as to the purpose of Christiania. It ıs the part of the city which has been kept secret to us - but no more."[citation needed]


The Community
Meditation and yoga have always been popular among the Christianites, and for many years Christiania had their own internationally acclaimed theater group Solvognen, who, beyond their theater performances, also staged many happenings in Copenhagen and even throughout Sweden. Ludvigsen had always talked of the acceptance of drug-addicts who could no longer cope with regular society, and the spirit of that belief has still not diminished, even throughout many problems sprouted due to drug traffic and use (mostly of hard drugs, however, which are illegal in Christiania). These addicts head into and remain in Christiania all the time and are considered just as much a part of the Freetown as the entrepreneurs, and for this reason many Danes have seen Christiania as a successful social experiment. However, for years the legal status of the region has been in a limbo due to different Danish governments attempting to remove the Christianites. Such attempts at removal have all been unsuccessful so far.

The neighbourhood is accessible through many entrances and cars are not allowed (although some Christiania residents own a car, see below). Danish authorities have repeatedly removed the large stones blocking the main entrance claiming they need access to the area for fire trucks and ambulances in the event of a fire or medical emergency, yet the residents respond by placing them back each time as they feel suspicious that the authorities will instead use it for police operations. This suspicion is backed by the fact that they have already made arrangements with the Copenhagen Fire Department, which also operates the ambulances in Copenhagen, and have established other entranceways and maneuvering spaces for fire trucks and ambulances in the area.

The people in Christiania have developed their own set of rules, completely independent of the Danish government. The rules forbid stealing, violence, guns, knives, bulletproof vests and hard drugs. Famous for its main drag, known as Pusher Street, where hash and Skunk weed were sold openly from permanent stands until 2004, it nevertheless does have rules forbidding hard drugs, such as cocaine, speed, ecstasy and heroin. The commerce is controversial, but since the rules require a consensus they cannot be removed unless everybody agrees. The region negotiated an arrangement with the Danish defence ministry (which still owns the land) in 1995. Since 1994, residents have paid taxes and fees for water, electricity, trash disposal etc. The future of the area remains in doubt, though, as Danish authorities continue to push for its removal. On Pusher Street, cameras are not allowed, and locals will wave their hands and shout "No photo!" if they see someone trying to take a picture.

The inhabitants fight the government's attempts to eliminate them with humour and persistence. For instance, when authorities in 2002 demanded that the hash trade be made less visible, the stands were covered in military camouflage nets[1]. On January 4, 2004, the stands were finally demolished by the hash dealers a day before a large scale police operation. They knew about this operation, and decided to take the stands down themselves. The police made more than twenty arrests in the following weeks though, and a large part of the organisation behind Pusher Street was then eliminated. This did not stop the hash trade however, it merely caused the trade to relocate outside of the town and to change to being on a person-to-person basis. Before they were demolished, the National Museum of Denmark was able to get one of the more colourful stands, which is now part of an exhibit.


Christiania and drugs

The junk blockade
One of the very biggest accomplishments in the history of Christiania was the Junk Blockade in November of 1979. The government was still very hostile but the community faced other acute challenges as well. Many Christiania residents were interested in mind-altering techniques, including psychotropic substances. During the late 1970's hard drugs such as heroin were considered permissible, but this had grave consequences. In one year, from 1978 to 1979, ten people had died in Christiania from drug overdose; four of them were resident there. Most of them lived in a building called 'The Arc of Peace', which was in an extreme level of disrepair. Doors were missing, there were holes in the floors, and in most rooms there were no furniture except mattresses. It was a terribly unhealthy environment and the Christianites became increasingly aware that the situation could not continue.

An attempt was made to cooperate with the police in order to get rid of the heroin pushers, which was something many Christianites felt extremely uncomfortable about—partly due to the anarchical tradition in the Freetown, and partly because of the continuous clashes between Christiania and the police. However, despite the shared feelings of distrust of the instigating police involvement, some Christianites feeling there was no other way to fix such an imminent and threatening problem, had supplied the police with a list of suspected hard drug networks. The intention of the Christianites' decision was made very clear: for police to concentrate only on hard drugs. This did not happen, the police had ignored the Christianites' requests and made a large crackdown—but only on the hash network, leaving the heroin ring untouched.

Feeling betrayed and bitter the Christianites decided not to cooperate any further with the authorities, and instead launched what was to be known as the Junk Blockade. For 40 days and nights the Christianites—men, women, and children—patrolled 'The Arc of Peace' and whenever they found junkies or pushers they gave them an ultimatum: either quit all activities with hard drugs or leave Christiania. In the end, the pushers were forced to leave, and sixty people entered rehabilitation.


Biker gang
Around 1984 a biker gang had arrived in Christiania and conquered a part of the hash market. Violence on the premises increased at this period and many Christianites felt unsafe and unhappy with the new residents. This resulted in sabotage acts directed towards the bikers as well as the publication of several provocative manuscripts urging the Christianites to throw out the powerful and armed bikers. This tension culminated when the police found a murdered individual who had been sliced to pieces and buried beneath the floor of a building. Christiania reacted with two colossal community meetings—one outside the building—where it was agreed that the bikers had to leave. They did, and have never returned.


2005 shooting and murder
On April 24, 2005, a 26-year-old Christianite was killed and three other christianites injured in a violent gang assassination on Pusher Street. The reason for this was a feud over the hashmarket of Copenhagen. In the subsequent trial it was established that the suspects responsible for the shooting belonged to the so-called Blågårdsplads-gang (named after the neighborhood they originated from) from the North-Western Copenhagen and that they all had pending charges of violence, shooting, robbing and so on.

What led to the shooting was the fragmentation of the Copenhagen hash-market. After heavy pressure from the Fogh government, the pushers' official closure of the hash-stands´ sale on Pusher Street on January 4, 2004, the following mass-arrest of christiania-pushers on March 16, 2004, and the declared 24-hour presence of the police on Christiania, many people started to move huge amounts of hash out into Copenhagen and the provinces instead. This was done in order to avoid the heavy police-presence in Christiania and to meet the unchanged demand for hash by customers. According to both police and other sources the number of hash clubs in Copenhagen grew rapidly to at least five times as many as before the police crackdown on Pusher Street, and in these clubs the sale of hash was mixed with other drugs such as speed, cocaine, ecstasy and GHB. Furthermore many of these clubs were placed near schools. Especially in the North-Western part of the city many clubs arrived and were controlled by quite heavy-armed gangs which had long tried to enter the hash sales on Christiania. The Blågårdsplads-gang was one of the most dangerous of these. Repeatedly they had asked the christiania-pushers to allow them on their market and repeatedly they had been turned down. On April 23, 2005, an escalation of this stalemate happened. The pushers of Christiania discovered that a member of the Blågårdsplads-gang had infiltrated their organisation by dating a female pusher. He was exposed and just barely escaped with two bullets flying by him. The next day two cars pulled up outside Christiania and 6–8 masked men with automatic weapons got out and headed for Pusher Street. When they got there they simply opened fire indiscriminately toward the crowd and shot at least 35 heavy rounds everywhere killing one and injuring three Christianites.

Some saw this tragic incident as a sign that the future strategy of the community was dubious due to the risk of violence stemming from the hash-market.[2] Others saw it as the result of the fatally flawed government line on Christiania which greatly expanded the hash market in the rest of Denmark, bringing with it huge amounts of money and weapons not to mention the introduction of harder drugs in the many clubs surfacing in Copenhagen.

2004 TV feature
The political satirical TV show Den halve sandhed ("The half truth") featured Christiania in its March 26, 2004, episode. As a tongue-in-cheek action, a journalist started to erect a small wooden hut in one of Christiania's open areas, naively claiming he assumed everyone could settle in the freetown.

Within minutes, Christiania residents arrived and told him this was totally unacceptable. Approval by the community meeting would be needed, and with the current political situation there was a great risk that the police would intervene, in effect holding Christiania ransom. A complete moratorium on construction was a precondition for the state to enter the current negotiations. The journalist was violently threatened to make himself scarce. Other residents, however, took the time to peacefully explain Christiania building rules. Later, journalists set up a stall attempting to sell 'non-politically correct' products such as Coca-Cola and Israeli oranges, arguing this was no worse than selling cannabis to minors.[3]

Designed by Danmarks Radio to test Christiania's tolerance towards the outside world, this feature did not amuse the residents. The current political situation forces Christiania to have a moratorium on construction work, unless police officers should come and take things down forcibly - Nils Vest, a film director resident in Christiania, has accused the TV programme of being tendentious and biased,[4] whereas others have taken the episode as a proof of faded collectivist ideals and bigotry within Christiania.


Cars
Within Christiania itself no cars are allowed. However, a total of 132 cars are owned by residents and need to be parked on the streets surrounding the Freetown. [10] After negotiating with city authorities, Christiania has agreed to establish parking areas for residents' own cars on its territory. As of 2005, parking space for only 14 cars had been established within the area.[5]

Before the city council elections of November 2001, residents in one of Christiania's sections proposed a municipal kindergarten just outside Christiania should be torn down and moved some hundred meters away, the area being turned into a parking lot. The proposal was criticised by other Christiania residents and citizens in the borough, but proponents claimed the wooden kindergarten buildings were outdated anyway and the parking space issue needed to be solved before Christiania itself would turn into an area where cars were widely parked. It has also been claimed that taxis and police vehicles add to the traffic problems.[6]


Gay house
Since the 1970s the Gay House (Bøssehuset), one of Christiania's autonomous institutions, had been a centre for gay activism, parties and theatre. The humorous and artistically high-ranking variete-style shows still have fame among Copenhagen homosexuals. The original pioneers having aged (and for some part died) during the 1980s and 1990s, the house was less used and was empty from about 2000 onwards.

In 2002 a group of young gay performers and activists, Dunst, were invited to take over the house so it could remain a centre for gay creativity. However, after 9 months they were asked to leave Christiania again.

Dunst claim they introduced a democratic management form and established open workshops for photography, art, music, dance, video etc. They also arranged three 'Save Christiania' nights, a cabaret show and three support parties in order to be able to downpay some of the Gay House's debt to Christiania. According to Dunst, however, neighbours would never readily accept them and the newcomers were accused of not understanding "the Christiania lifestyle". Dunst claim they received verbal abuse, threatening letters and were even, at one instance, threatened with a baseball bat. Some disliked Dunst's loud parties, their contemporary electro-punk style music being described as techno.

In 2004 Dunst participated in 'Christiania Distortion', an event supportive for Christiania. As they could not make use of the Gay House, Dunst's part of the event took place in a bus circling around Christiania.[7][8]

Businesses
Christiania has become home to several ventures such as carpenters, blacksmiths, a bikeshop, as well as several cafés, restaurants, Jazz, Blues and night clubs.

Future of Christiania

Mural in Christiania.The drug trade in Christiania has been a source of constant annoyance for many Danish politicians and the current right-wing government is taking a number of steps to ensure that Danish law is respected in Christiania. The first step in this process was a police crackdown on the drug trade. Both politicians and police have declared that the drug trade will not be allowed to return. The second (and currently ongoing) phase is the registration of all buildings in Christiania. The third step will be the demolition of a number of shacks, constructed in a nature-preserved area (the historic naval fortress of Copenhagen). These buildings had all been approved by the authorities before the new government passed the current law on Christiania. For the last 15 years the government has not allowed construction in Christiania. This is now being enforced as a zero-tolerance policy with the help of a massive police presence. This is regarded by Christiania community as a government strategy to undermine the collective self-government of Christiania. They believe the government is planning to sell out building rights to private enterprises [11], in an attempt to force the freetown to accept the paradigm of private ownership and market capitalization of private property. The 900 or so inhabitants of Christiania have staked a claim for collective rights of use to all of Christiania, but this has been ignored by the government.[citation needed].


Governmental normalisation measures
In 2004, the Danish government passed a law abolishing the collective and treating its 900 members as individuals. Beginning in the summer of 2005, a series of protests have been staged by Christiania members. During the same time, Danish police have made frequent sweeps of the area.

The Christiania Café Maanefiskeren (the moonfisher) installed an outdoor countboard of police patrols on Christiania in November 2005. In the summer of 2006 this passed the 1000th patrol (about 4–6 patrols a day). These patrols normally consist of 6 to 20 police officers, often dressed in combat uniform and some times with police dogs.

This has however not affected the street prices of cannabis in- or outside of Christiania. There has been no notable increase or decrease in "regular crime" in the area.

In January 2006, the government proposed that Christiania would be turned into a residential community adding condominiums for 400 new residents. Current residents, now paying DKK 1450 (USD 250) per month, would be allowed to remain but need to begin paying normal rent for the facilities, albeit below market rent levels. Christiania has rejected this scenario, fearing the freetown would turn into a normal Copenhagen neighbourhood. In particular, the concept of privately owned dwellings would be incompatible with Christiania's collective ownership.[11]

Quotes from the government concerning Christiania:

Christiania-spokesperson for the Conservative (governmental) Party, Christian Wedell-Neergaard:

"Christiania is a dwelling for people who wish to live in a different manner...But it is crucial that varied ownership-models are introduced, so that there will be both private and partially owned houses."

or

"(Christianias) demand that there be a collective fund is not fair, It doesn't meet the wish for a normalization. We (the government) have emphazised that there should be varied ownership-models, such as private ownership."

or

"...it is natural that there are also privately owned buildings in an area like Christiania...Because it is the case for the surrounding society in general, that there are variety in the ownership." (all quotes from Politiken,29.January 2006, pg.6)

or

the Minister of Finance, Thor Pedersen, from the government-party Left (Venstre), who to the question in parliament whether the new buildings at Christiania were only economically motivated, answered:

"It is a political priority that there be build new houses as suggested, to ensure a development of the Christiania-area with varied ownership-models." (Information, 6.June 2006, pg.3)

As can be seen the government plan for normalization definitely includes stopping the 35 year old absolute collective ownership-model. The phrase "varied ownership" is synonymous with "introducing private ownership" since it has been a firm principle of Christiania up until now to be collectively owned by all christianites, so that no one have been able to earn money from their estates. This, of course, will also fall with governments plan for normalization, in effect introducing real estate-speculation to Christiania.


Architectural competition
In order to present a reasonable use of area after an eventual "cleaning", the Danish government commissioned an architectural competition. Only 17 proposals have been sent in, of which only eight have met the formal competition requirements. All of these proposals have been rejected by the panel of judges who, nevertheless, have been required to dispense 850,000 Danish Kroner (113,000 Euro, 145,000 USD) in consolation prizes.

Christiania's own development plan
Christiania has countered the government's plans for normalisation with its own community driven planning proposal[12], which after 8 months of internal workshops and meetings gained consensus at the common meeting before being published in early 2006. Christiania's own development plan was awarded the Initiative Award of the Society for the Beautification of Copenhagen in November 2006 and the plan has received positive attention from the municipality of Copenhagen and the Agenda 21 Society for its sustainability goals and democratic process.

Riots over police demolition

Youths getting ready to confront policeOn May 14, 2007 the police entered Christiania to demolish the abandoned Cigarkassen building, and were met by angry and scared Christianites who feared that the police were going to demolish other houses too. Road blocks were built and the trucks transporting what was left of the house were sabotaged so that they could not move. The police then entered the Freetown on a massive scale and were this time met by violent protesters who threw stones and shot fireworks at the police vehicles, and built barricades in the street outside the Christiania gate. The police used tear gas on the rioters, and a number of arrests were made.[12] One activist sneaked up behind the police commander, called Bjarne Bonelock among Christianites, and poured a bucket of urine and feces over him.[13] The police later had to retreat from Christiania. The riot continued over night as youths barricaded the entrances to Christiania and bombarded the police with stones and Molotov cocktails. After several failed attempts to storm the barricades the police ultimately had to give up and retreat. All in all over 50 Christianite-activists were arrested. Prosecutors are demanding that they are imprisoned on account that they may participate in further disturbances in Copenhagen which they say is "in a state of rebellion."[14]

Cigarkassen was rebuilt the following day, and the DJ collective Lækker Lytter threw its housewarming.

Funny cats

Disjointed dancer

Ok Go Here it goes again

Music for one room and six drummers

Please help Bumi Sehat, from Nicole H.

PLEASE SUPPORT BUMI SEHAT



Please help the Bumi Sehat clinic:
-improve the health of new borns and mothers
-to obtain necessary medical supplies
-to foster HIV/AIDS outreach and education

As many of you know I had the privilege of volunteering at the Bumi Sehat clinic in Bali and Sumatra in 2005. The mission of this clinic is to provide health care to low-income women and children within Indonesia. I have been fortunate enough to gather an array of medical supplies for this clinic over the course of the last year. However, additional supplies are in constant demand.
Now I am embarking on the task of getting these desperately needed supplies to Indonesia. I have set a goal of raising $6,000 – this money will go towards purchasing medical supplies I was unable to get donated, getting the medical supplies to Indonesia in January 2008, as well as assisting with the clinic’s own transportation needs.

Bumi Sehat is a non-profit organization of committed families, teachers, midwives, doctors, nurses and caring citizens from many countries. The clinic advocates for the reproductive rights of displaced, marginalized, and low-income women and their children of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They work hand-in-hand with the communities they serve in order to establish sustainable health care, educational projects, and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.


In Bali they are achieving a higher standard of maternal and child health through culturally sensitive prenatal care, birth and postpartum services, and support of breast-feeding. By promoting natural Family Planning they empower families who may have no access to pharmaceutical methods of birth control.


It is essential to gain support for this clinic so that they can continue the important work they have set out for themselves. They are still working fervently with the Indonesian tsunami victims in Aceh, Sumatra as well as continuing their vital services for various communities within Bali.
To find out more about this clinic: www.bumisehatbali.org


Questions
nicole@gracefulfusion.com <nicole@gracefulfusion.com>

Third Culture Kids!! That's me!!

Third Culture Kids (abbreviated TCKs or 3CKs or Global Nomad) "refers to someone who [as a child] has spent a significant period of time in one or more culture(s) other than his or her own, thus integrating elements of those cultures and their own birth culture, into a third culture".
The composition of TCK sponsors changed greatly after WWII.
Prior to WWII, 66% of TCK's came from missionary families and 16% came from business families. After WWII, with the increase of international business and the rise of two International Superpowers, the composition of international families changed. Sponsors are generally broken down into five categories: Missionary (17%), Business (16%), Government (23%), Military (30%), and "Other" (14%).
Since the term was coined by sociologist Ruth Hill Useem in the 1960's, TCKs have become a heavily studied global subculture. TCKs have more in common with one another, regardless of nationality, than they do with non-TCK's from their own country.

Origins and research
Sociologist Ruth Hill Useem coined the term "Third Culture Kids" after spending a year on two separate occasions in India with her three children, in the early fifties. Initially they used the term "third culture" to refer to the process of learning how to relate to another culture; in time they started to refer to children who accompany their parents into a different culture as "Third Culture Kids." Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids" because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture) and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third culture". Sociologist David Pollock describes a TCK as "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership of any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of a similar background." In order to be a TCK, one must accompany their parents into a foreign culture. Entering another culture without one's parents, such as on a foreign exchange program, explicitly does not make one a TCK.
Research into Third Culture Kids has come from two fronts. First, most of the research into TCKs has been conducted by adult TCKs attempting to validate their own experiences. This research has been conducted largely at the University of Michigan where Dr. Useem taught for over 30 years. Second, the U.S armed forces has sponsored significant research into the U.S. military brat experience. Most TCK research on adults is limited to those people whose time in a different culture occurred during the school age years.
Research into TCKs has either studied students currently living in a foreign culture or years later as adults. Since the only way to identify somebody who grew up in a foreign culture is through self-identification, scientific sampling methods on adults may contain bias due to the difficulty in conducting epidemiological studies across broad-based population samples.
While much of the research into TCKs has shown consistent results across geographical boundaries, some international sociologists are critical of the research that "expects there to be one unified 'true' culture that is shared by all who have experiences of growing up overseas."

TCKs share some common characteristics amongst the subcategories such as multilingualism, tolerance for other cultures, a never-ending feeling of homesickness for their adopted country and a desire to remain in close contact with friends from their adopted country as well as other TCKs that they have grown up with. On the other hand, moving from country to country often becomes an easy thing for such individuals.
Many TCKs take years to readjust to their passport countries and often suffer a reverse culture shock on their return to their ancestral culture. This is due to their having lived in many countries away from home and acculturated to adapt to these new cultures. This leaves them with a bit of everything. Compared to their peers who have lived their entire lives in a single culture, these TCKs would have a globalized culture. Many choose to enter careers that allow them to travel frequently or live overseas. There is a growing number of online resources to help TCKs deal with issues as well as stay in contact with each other. Recently, blogs have become a helpful way for TCKs to interact. The unique experiences of TCKs among different cultures and various relationships at the formative stage of their development makes their orientation to the world different from others. However, this also makes it difficult for them to have in-depth communication with those who have not experienced similar conditions.
While Third Culture Kids usually grow up to be fiercely independent and cosmopolitan, they are more culturally sound and sensitive. They also tend to get along with people of any culture. TCK's tend to be very privileged, and will live in their own sub-culture, sometimes excluding native children attending their school.
As Third Culture Kids grow up they become Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs).

Some of them come to terms with the tremendous culture shock and loss that they have experienced. They gain a broader understanding of the world through their varied experiences, while others spend most of their adult life trying to come to terms with those same issues.
Many Third Culture Kids face an identity crisis: they don't know where they come from. It would be typical for a third culture person to say that he or she is from a country but nothing beyond their passport defines it; they usually find it difficult to answer the question.
The term "Third Culture Kid" was coined by Ruth Hill Useem in the early 1960s. She and her husband studied children who grew up in two or more cultures, including their own children, and termed them simply "third culture kids". Their idea was that children from one culture who live in another culture become part of a "third culture" that is more than simply a blend of home and host cultures.
Children and adults of the third culture share similar identities. Useem defined a third culture kid as
"[A] person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The third culture kid builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the third culture kid's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background."

Two circumstances are key to becoming a third culture kid: growing up in a truly cross-cultural world, and high mobility. By the former, Pollock and van Reken mean that instead of observing cultures, third culture kids actually live in different cultural worlds. By mobility, they mean mobility of both the third culture kid and others in their surrounding. The interplay between the two is what gives rise to common personal characteristics, benefits, and challenges. TCKs are distinguished from other immigrants by the fact that TCKs do not expect to settle down permanently in the places where they live.
Third culture kids grow up in a genuinely cross-cultural world. While expatriates watch and study cultures that they live in, third culture kids actually live in different cultural worlds. Third culture kids have incorporated different cultures on the deepest level, as to have several cultures incorporated into their thought processes. This means that third culture kids not only have deep cultural access to at least two cultures, this also means that thought processes are truly multicultural. That, in turn, influences how third culture kids relate to the world around them, and makes third culture kids' thought processes different even from members of cultures they have deep-level access to. TCKs also have certain personal characteristics in common. Growing up in the third culture rewards certain behaviors and personality traits in different ways than growing up in a single culture does, which results in common characteristics. Third culture kids are often tolerant cultural chameleons who can choose to what degree they wish to display their background.
As a result, Pollock and van Reken argue, third culture kids develop a sense of belonging everywhere and nowhere. Their experiences among different cultures and various relationships makes it difficult for them to have in-depth communication with those who have not experienced similar conditions. While third culture kids usually grow up to be independent and cosmopolitan, they also often struggle with their identity and with the losses they have suffered in each move. Some may feel very nationalistic toward one country, while others call themselves global citizens.

There are different characteristics that impact the typical Third Culture Kid:
TCKs are 4 times as likely as non-TCKs to earn a bachelor's degree (81% vs 21%)
40% earn an advanced degree (as compared to 5% of the non-TCK population.)
45% of TCKs attended 3 universities before earning a degree.
44% earned undergraduate degree after the age of 22.
Educators, medicine, professional positions, and self employment are the most common professions for TCKs.
TCKs are unlikely to work for big business, government, or follow their parents' career choices. "One won't find many TCKs in large corporations. Nor are there many in government ... they have not followed in parental footsteps".
90% feel "out of sync" with their peers.
90% report feeling as if they understand other cultures/peoples better than the average American.
80% believe they can get along with anybody.
Divorce rates among TCKs are lower than the general population, but they marry older (25+).
Military brats, however, tend to marry earlier.
Linguistically adept (not as true for military ATCKs.)
A study whose subjects were all "career military brats"—those who had a parent in the military from birth through high school—shows that brats are linguistically adept.
Teenage TCKs are more mature than non-TCKs, but ironically take longer to "grow up" in their 20s.
More welcoming of others into their community.
Lack a sense of "where home is" but often nationalistic.
Some studies show a desire to "settle down" others a "restlessness to move".
Depression and suicide are more prominent among TCK's.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Culture_Kids

Self esteem by Dove

Freiburg im Breisgau

Europe’s eco-cities
The German city of Freiburg im Breisgau is leading the way in sustainable local development. Although it is not an isolated case, more European towns and cities need to follow its example
With over 80% of the population of the European Union living in metropolitan areas, environmentally friendly practices in an urban context are vital to improving Europe’s impact on the environment. The concept of ‘eco-cities’, which incorporate an extensive and popular public transport network, recycling initiatives and renewable energy sources, is thus gaining ground. The Green cityFor several decades Freiburg has been a stronghold of the German Green Party. In the 2002 elections the Greens got almost 25% of the vote there, and Dr. Dieter Salomon became the city’s Green Mayor. Since the early 1970s Freiburg has been continually implementing and extending new environmentally friendly, and often very innovative, measures. Between 1970 and 1973 cycle lanes were established, the city’s tram network was improved, and the entire city centre was turned into a pedestrian zone. Following this, a flat-rate ‘Regional Environment Card’ was launched in 1991, offering unlimited use of public transport in the city and its surroundings. Cycling is central to Freiburg’s transport system. In the last three decades the city’s cycle lane network has grown from 29 km to over 500 km in length. The Freiburgers themselves like pointing out that there are three bikes to every two residents – an impressive, if somewhat bewildering statistic! Key to the success of the transport network is the way the different modes of transport interconnect so effectively. For example, the main railway station sports both bus and tram stops, and a range of cyclist’s facilities, including 1,000 parking spaces for bikes. The extensive cycle lanes and tramlines, as well as ‘park-and-ride’ and ‘bike-and-ride’ initiatives make public transport not only efficient but attractive. Further developments include the new €400 million ‘Breisgau S-Bahn’ – a fast suburban railway linking Freiburg with nearby towns and villages. Renewable energy tooKnown as Germany’s ‘Solar City’, Freiburg has also invested heavily in renewable energy. Leading solar research institutes are based in the city and its use of solar power puts it at the top of the German ‘Solar League’. At present, almost 5% of Freiburg’s electricity comes from sustainable energy sources, and the city is on track to meet its aim of 10% by 2010, with subsidised solar panels on the roofs of houses, schools and businesses. Waste sorting and recycling facilities are also highly developed, and recently built neighbourhoods in Freiburg’s suburbs have been planned and built with environmental concerns in mind. The districts of Vauban and Rieselfeld together consist of around 6,500 energy efficient homes, incorporating solar technology and connected to the various parts of the Freiburg public transport system.But these various measures have more than just a positive environmental effect – they improve the standard of living as well. According to one resident, “living in an ‘eco-city’ like Freiburg inspires a positive, forward-thinking outlook”. Efficient public transport, the community spirit engendered by Freiburg’s ambitions and achievements, and cleaner surroundings can all take part of the credit for this. As a student at Freiburg University pointed out, “being devoted to improving our environment gives us a greater feeling of allegiance to our city”. Just the start?Freiburg, however, is not alone. Although few (if any) towns or cities can really compare in many aspects of environmental protection, several can still be counted as fellow ‘eco-cities’ for their progress in certain areas. The Bavarian town of Erlangen, for example, implemented a pro-bicycle policy soon after Freiburg, subsequently seeing a 75% increase in bike use. The town also has a low rate of water consumption and has made progress in the field of solar power. The three winners of the 2003 European Sustainable City Award – Ferrara, Heidelberg and Oslo - have also made significant progress. Ferrara’s recycling system is particularly impressive, Heidelberg stands out for its energy saving activities (led by the city authorities and the university – reducing their Carbon Dioxide emissions by 35% and 13% respectively), and Oslo’s public transport system and waste-reduction programmes are both very successful. Another Scandinavian city known for its environmentalism is Stockholm – generally considered the world’s most environmentally conscious capital city. Meeting the requirementsWhat these cities show us is that it is possible to make real progress in helping the environment by making the task attractive to the public – without popular support public transport, recycling, waste-reduction and renewable energies would not work. Generally, authorities cannot force people to take part in all these areas, but establishing a community-led effort to do so can overcome peoples’ initial reluctance. To do this, commitment is needed from of city authorities, especially financially. It is worth noting that all of the above ‘eco-cities’ are located in some of the wealthiest areas of Europe – and many of the schemes mentioned are not cheap. However, for Europe’s impact on the environment to be improved, our governments need to give the necessary support, investing in the transformation of many more urban areas into ‘eco-cities’ like Freiburg. It’s no good waiting for people to make their lifestyles more sustainable themselves; authorities should bring environmental consciousness to the masses, and if this comes at a price, it is a price worth paying.
Jeremy Cliffe - London - 11.4.2005

"Liberalism", American-style

Philosophy of modern liberalism

Modern liberals tend to see themselves in the context of their fellow man and woman and assume their rights and privileges are no greater than anyone else's, regardless of wealth or position. Key liberal values are empathy, compassion, trust, and cooperation. Liberalism is an empirical philosophy that attempts to make changes that will improve life even if those changes run contrary to previously accepted positions. Most tenets are not held with unquestioning conviction.
American liberalism differs from competing political philosophies not only through different values or preferences but through different epistemologies. Liberalism is open to change and receptive to empiricism.[14]
Liberals generally seek a balanced and flexible "mixed economy" occupying that middle ground between capitalism and socialism whose viability is generally denied by both capitalists and socialists.[2] In general liberalism is anti-socialist, when socialism means state ownership of the basic means of production and distribution, because American liberals doubt that bases for political opposition and freedom can survive when all power is vested in the state. Some American liberals also doubt the feasibility of administering a socialist system.
In line with the general pragmatic, empirical basis of liberalism, American liberal philosophy embraces the idea that if substantial abundance and equality of opportunity can be achieved through a system of mixed enterprise, then there is no need for a rigid and oppressive bureaucracy.[2]
Many of these ideas were initially promulgated by liberal thinkers John Dewey, Reinhold Niebuhr, and John Maynard Keynes and form the basis for the American liberal philosophy. The political godfather of American liberalism, Franklin Delano Roosevelt never publicly embraced Keynes's theories but there were many similarities between the works of the two men.[15] The ideas of American liberal philosophers and American liberal politicians, such as Roosevelt, laid the foundation for American liberalism that remains a viable political philosophy embraced by a significant percentage of Americans.
According to George Lakoff, liberal philosophy is based on five basic categories of morality.
The first, the promotion of fairness, is generally described as an emphasis on empathy as a desirable trait. With this social contract based on the Golden Rule comes the rationale for many liberal positions.
The second category is assistance to those who cannot assist themselves. A nurturing spirit is one that is considered good in liberal philosophy.
This leads to the third category, the desire to protect those who cannot defend themselves. This trait is difficult to define, as both conservative and liberal morality consider it a virtue.
The fourth category is the importance of fulfilling one's life; allowing a person to experience all that they can. This goal of ultimate self-development is one that is considered important in liberal philosophy.
The fifth, and final, category is the importance of caring for oneself as to allow one to act on the other categories. This means preventing oneself from "becoming a burden on others", and allowing others to do the same.[16]

Some positions associated with modern liberalism

In the early 21st century, the term "liberalism" in the United States has been applied to a broad spectrum of viewpoints. As the Democratic Party, generally seen as the standard-bearer of liberalism, adopted the more centrist outlook of the DLC, the term "liberal" (applied to the party as a whole) became associated even with more centrist candidates who, for example, may support the death penalty or take pro-business positions. For this reason, and because many on the right have so heavily used "liberal" as a pejorative, some Americans on the left of the political spectrum prefer to call the movement progressivism.
On the other hand, those associated with the DLC have used the term neoliberalism to describe what they regard as a more pragmatic and results-oriented form of American liberalism. This usage creates some confusion, since the same term is used to describe the international revival of classical liberalism and the associated radical free-market policies associated with politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and, in the United States, Ronald Reagan.

The following are some of the views that many contemporary American liberals or progressives support, starting with several points where there would be a strong consensus among American liberals.

- A social "safety net" including support for Medicare, unemployment benefits, health insurance, and preservation of existing Social Security and welfare programs
- Adherence to the principle of separation of church and state
- A reasonable progressive tax system
- Civil rights, including laws against discrimination based on gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability
- Laws intended to protect the environment from pollution and encourage conservation of resources
- Government role in funding or subsidizing public education and public transportation
- Regulation of business practices through OSHA, child labor laws, anti-trust laws, and minimum wage laws.
- Labor unions and labor regulation
- The belief in a woman's right to abortion by Roe v. Wade standards
- Government role in alternative energy development
- Government responsibility to supervise ports and infrastructure in the public interest
- A spirit of international cooperation and strong alliances
- The elimination of the death penalty
- Advocacy of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and support of scientific study
- Affirmative action continuance and transitional multi-lingual educational programs for children whose first language is not English
- Gun control and regulation for safety
- Opposition to censorship of the media
- Marijuana or hemp legalization for medicinal, industrial, or recreational purposes
- The right of the terminally ill to end their life
- Animal welfare
- Support for same sex-marriage

On globalization, American liberals stand largely divided. Liberal members of the intelligentsia and the professional class tend to favor globalization, due to their cosmopolitan ideals. Members of organized labor, on the other hand, tend to be opposed to increased globalization:

America's Progressive Community

America's Progressive Community...over 120 groups on the frontlines of changerepresenting tens of millions of progressive-thinking Americans.

20/20 Vision20/20 Vision makes it easy for busy people to act for peace and the environment.

21st Century DemocratsFormerly Democrats 2000, 21st Century Democrats was founded by progressive Democratic officials to give progressive and populist candidates the support they need to win elections.

Abolition 2000You can play a part in ending nuclear testing.

Acterra / Action for a Sustainable EarthActerra was formed in 2000 by the merger of Bay Area Action (BAA) and the Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation (PCCF) to protect and restore the Bay Area's local natural environment through stewardship, education, and leadership.

Action Against HungerAction Against Hunger administers emergency relief in emergency situations of war, conflict, and natural disaster, later reinforced by longer term programs that enable children, women, and men to regain their autonomy and the means to live independent of external aid.

AFL-CIOThe AFL-CIO works to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation by organizing workers into unions, building a strong political voice for workers in a changing economy, and encouraging our labor movement to create a strong voice for workers in our communities.

Alliance For DemocracyAFD's mission is to free all people from corporate domination of politics, economics, the environment, culture and information; to establish true democracy; and to create a just society with a sustainable, equitable economy.

American Civil Liberties UnionThe ACLU conserves America's original civic values working in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in the United States by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

American Disabled For Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT)There's no place like home; and we mean real homes, not nursing homes. We are fighting so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports instead of being locked away in nursing homes and other institutions.

American ForestsNation's oldest nonprofit citizen conservation organization, founded in 1875. AF's vigorous advocacy helped create the conservation movement and the National Park and National Forest systems in the U.S.

American Friends Service CommitteeThe AFSC is a Quaker organization which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service.

American RiversNorth America's leading national river-conservation organization.

Americans For Democratic ActionADA is the nation's oldest independent liberal political organization, dedicated to individual liberty and building economic and social justice at home and abroad.

Americans United for Separation of Church and StateChurch-state separation stands as one of the foundations of our Nation. Because of it, Americans enjoy unparalleled religious liberty and nurture one of the most vital religious communities in the world.

Amnesty InternationalAI is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards.

Animal Welfare Institute The Animal Welfare Institute has been working for over 40 years to prevent needless suffering of animals.

Association of Community Organizations for Reform NowACORN is striving to organize the poor and powerless into a strong political presence.

Basel Action NetworkBAN works in opposition to toxic trade in toxic wastes, toxic products and toxic technologies, that are exported from rich to poorer countries and to ensure national self-sufficiency in waste management through clean production and toxics use reductions.

Brady Center to Prevent Handgun Violence / Brady CampaignThe Brady Campaign's national initiatives include prevention programs for parents and youth on the risks associated with guns; legal representation for gun violence victims, and outreach to the entertainment community to encourage the deglamorization of guns in the media.

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Bread for the WorldA Christian movement that seeks justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying decision makers in the United States.

Brennan Center for Justice The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law unites thinkers and advocates in pursuit of a vision of inclusive and effective democracy by way of developing and implementing an innovative, nonpartisan agenda of scholarship, public education, and legal action that promotes equality and human dignity while safeguarding fundamental freedoms.

Business for Social ResponsibilityBSR is a US-based global resource for companies seeking to sustain their commercial success in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, people, communities and the environment.

Campaign for America's FutureChallenging the big money corporate agenda by encouraging Americans to speak up - to discuss and debate a new vision of an economy and a future that works for all of us.

Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) CIVIC seeks to mitigate the impact of war and its aftermath by ensuring that timely and effective assistance is provided to unintended victims of conflict and to see that such assistance be a permanent part of the U.S. and other governments’ approach to armed conflict.

Campaign to Defend the Constitution Defcon is an online grassroots movement combating the growing power of the religious right and opposes efforts to control and distort religion, education, science and culture in ways that ultimately threaten the health and well-being of American society.

Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered FoodThe Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Food is a national grassroots consumer campaign designed to lobby Congress and the President to pass legislation that will require the labeling of genetically engineered foods in the United States.

Center for Auto SafetyConsumers Union and Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in 1970 to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country. CAS has a small budget but a big impact on the auto industry.

Center for Community ChangeCCC helps poor people to improve their communities and change policies and institutions that affect their lives by developing their own strong organizations.

Center for Corporate Policy The Center for Corporate Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization working to curb corporate abuses and make corporations publicly accountable.

Center for Defense InformationFounded in 1972 as an independent monitor of the military, the Center for Defense Information is a private, nongovernmental, research organization that believes strong social, economic, political, and military components and a healthy environment contribute equally to the nation's security. CDI seeks realistic and cost effective military spending without excess expenditures for weapons and policies that increase the danger of war.

Center for Democracy and TechnologyCDT works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age.

Center for Economic and Policy ResearchThe Center for Economic and Policy Research was established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. CEPR works to ensure that the citizenry has the information and analysis that allows it to act effectively in the public interest.

Center for Health, Environment and JusticeCHEJ believes in environmental justice, the principle that people have the right to a clean and healthy environment regardless of their race or economic standing. Our experience has shown that the most effective way to win environmental justice is from the bottom up through community organizing and empowerment.

Center for International PolicyThe Center for International Policy promotes a U.S. foreign policy based on peace, international cooperation, demilitarization and respect for basic human rights.

Center for Justice and Democracy The Center for Justice & Democracy works to educate the public about the importance of the civil justice system and the dangers of so-called "tort reforms" and fights to protect the right to trial by jury and an independent judiciary for all Americans.

Center for Media and DemocracyPublishers of PR Watch, a quarterly investigative journal, the Center for Media and Democracy promotes media that are "of, by and for the people." Other projects include Spin of the Day, offering daily reporting on spin and propaganda in the news; and SourceWatch, a wiki-based investigative journalism resource.

Center for Public IntegrityExposing the powerful economic interests that have captured our Congress and our politics.

Center for Responsive Politics / OpenSecrets.orgTracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. Search their database to see who's paying off who.

Center for Science in the Public InterestCSPI is a nonprofit education and advocacy organization that focuses on improving the safety and nutritional quality of our food supply.

Center for Third World OrganizingBuilding a social justice movement led by people of color.

Center on Budget & Policy PrioritiesCBPP is a nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs, with an emphasis on those affecting low- and moderate-income people.

The Century FoundationThe Century Foundation is a nonprofit public policy research institution which produces publications and convenes events that (1) explain and analyze public issues in plain language, (2) provide facts and opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of different policy strategies, and (3) develop and call attention to distinctive ideas that can work.

Children's Defense FundAmerica's Strongest Voice for Children.

Citizens Coal CouncilLet's clean up the coalfields! CCC has begun a 5-year effort to improve the economy and quality of life in communities where coal is mined. This campaign for jobs and justice in the coalfields aims to put unemployed people to work cleaning up old, abandoned mines.

Citizens for Independent Public Broadcasting (CIPB)Nonprofit education/advocacy group being established to promote a restructuring of U.S. public broadcasting as an independently-funded public trust, free from corporate and political influence. The goal is to revitalize public broadcasting and resist commercialization.

Citizens for Tax JusticeCTJ's mission is to give ordinary people a greater voice in the development of tax laws and stand against the armies of special interest lobbyists for corporations and the wealthy.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)CREW assists Americans in using litigation to expose government officials who betray public trust and sacrifice the common good for special interests.

Clean Water ActionNational citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment of people to make democracy work.

Commercial AlertCommercial Alert helps families, parents, schools and communities defend themselves against harmful, immoral or intrusive advertising and marketing, and the excesses of commercialism.

Common CauseRepresenting the unified voice of the people against corruption in government and big money special interests.

Common DreamsNational citizens' organization working to bring together progressive Americans to promote progressive visions for America's future. Publishers of Common Dreams NewsCenter / Newswire.

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility CPSR is a public-interest alliance of computer scientists and others concerned about the impact of computer technology on society. We work to influence decisions regarding the development and use of computers because those decisions have far-reaching consequences and reflect our basic values and priorities.

Consumer Federation of America The size and diversity of its membership -- more than 260 organizations from throughout the nation with a combined membership exceeding 50 million people -- enables CFA to speak for virtually all consumers.

Consumer Project on Technology The Consumer Project on Technology was started by Ralph Nader in 1995. Currently CPT is focusing on intellectual property rights and health care, electronic commerce and competition policy.

Consumers Union Publisher of Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization serving only consumers. A comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns.

Co-op AmericaProviding the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to address today's social and environmental problems.

Corporate Accountability International CAI (formerly INFACT) spearheads campaigns that challenge irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world.

Corporate WatchCommitted to exposing corporate greed by documenting the social, political, economic and environmental impacts of transnational giants.

Council for a Livable WorldFounded by eminent nuclear physicist Leo Szilard, the Council has advocated for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction since 1962. provides senators with technical and scientific information that helps them make intelligent decisions about nuclear arms control, strategic and conventional weapons, the military budget, and United Nations peacekeeping.

Council for Responsible GeneticsThe Council for Responsible Genetics (CRG), founded in 1983, is a national nonprofit organization of scientists, environmentalists, public health advocates, physicians, lawyers and other concerned citizens. CRG encourages informed public debate about the social, ethical, and environmental implications of new genetic technologies, and advocates for socially responsible use of these technologies.

Critical Mass Energy ProjectA project of Public Citizen created by Ralph Nader to promote energy conservation and track government activities related to such issues as nuclear power, radioactive waste, renewable energy and fuel efficiency.

Dads & DaughtersNational, nonprofit membership organization of fathers with daughters. DADs provides tools to strengthen our relationships with our daughters and transform the pervasive messages that value our daughters more for how they look than who they are.

Death Penalty Information CenterServing the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment.

Defenders of WildlifeDedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.

Demos! Demos is a new non-profit organization focusing on two of the most urgent challenges facing the United States in the 21st century: strengthening our democracy and creating more broadly shared prosperity. Demos conducts original research and builds networks of civic and economic reformers around the United States to help turn ideas into action.

Doctors Without BordersDWB/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) delivers medical relief to populations in danger due to war, civil strife, epidemics or natural disasters.

Drug Policy AllianceThe Lindesmith Center and Drug Policy Foundation merged with the objective of building a national drug policy reform movement, and has changed its name to Drug Policy Alliance. Drug Policy Alliance is the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs and promote new drug policies based on common sense, science, public health and human rights.

Earth Charter USAThe Earth Charter USA Campaign is made up of people from all walks of life who embrace the values in the Earth Charter and who seek to make these values a blueprint for a sustainable way of life in this country. These efforts of involved and committed individuals will popularize and build support for the Earth Charter as a guide towards a sustainable future. Ultimately, a 'people's movement' will spring up around the Charter which will provide enough political support for endorsement of the Earth Charter by the United Nations in 2002.

Earth Island InstituteFounded by environmentalist David Brower, EII fosters the efforts of creative individuals by providing organizational support in developing projects for the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the global environment.

EarthjusticeEarthjustice Legal Defense Fund, formerly the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, is the non-profit law firm for the environment. For more than a quarter century, the Legal Defense Fund has represented hundreds of environmental clients, large and small, without charge.

Earth Policy InstituteThe purpose of the Earth Policy Institute is to provide a vision of what an environmentally sustainable economy will look like, a roadmap of how to get from here to there, and an ongoing assessment of this effort calling attention to where progress is being made and where it is not.

East Timor Action NetworkETAN/US advocates changing US foreign policy and urges support for self-determination and human rights for East Timor.

Economic Policy InstituteEPI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.

Educators for Social ResponsibilityHelping young people develop the skills and convictions needed to shape a safe, sustainable, and just world.

Electronic Frontier FoundationWorking to ensure that the principles embodied in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights (and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights) are protected as new communications technologies emerge.

Electronic Privacy Information CenterEPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values. EPIC is a project of the Fund for Constitutional Government.

Emily's List'Early Money is Like Yeast' (it makes the dough rise), EMILY's List identifies viable pro-choice Democratic women candidates for key federal and statewide offices.

Environmental Defense FundWorking to stop environmental pollution by encouraging business, labor, government, and citizen groups to cooperate and identify practical policies to protect the environment.

Environmental Working GroupEWG is a leading content provider for public interest groups and concerned citizens who are campaigning to protect the environment.

Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR)FAIR is the national media watch group that offers well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship. We seek to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press. We scrutinize media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.

Families USADedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans.

Federation of American ScientistsConducts analysis and advocacy on science, technology and public policy, including nuclear weapons, arms sales, biological hazards, secrecy, and space policy. Board of Sponsors includes half of America's living Nobel Laureates.

Fellowship of ReconciliationFOR is a national, interfaith organization that seeks to replace violence, war, racism and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace and justice.

Feminist Majority FoundationMission is to create innovative, cutting-edge research, educational programs, and strategies to further women's equality and empowerment, to reduce violence toward women, to increase the health and economic well-being of women, and to eliminate discrimination of all kinds.

Food First!The Institute for Food and Development Policy better known as Food First--is a member-supported, nonprofit 'peoples' think tank and education-for-action center. Our work highlights root causes and value-based solutions to hunger and poverty around the world, with a commitment to establishing food as a fundamental human right.

Foundation For Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR)Big Business has an endless amount of money and thousands of lobbyists working everyday to protect and increase their profits - no matter who it hurts. We get in their way and work to protect and improve the lives of American consumers and taxpayers.

Free PressFree Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media and involve the public in media policymaking. Through education, organizing, and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal, affordable access to communications.

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) The Friends Committee on National Legislation is the largest peace lobby in Washington, DC. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL staff and volunteers work with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people to advocate social and economic justice, peace, and good government.

Friends of the EarthAdvocacy organization dedicated to protecting the planet from environmental degradation; preserving biological, cultural, and ethnic diversity; and the empowering of citizens.

Fund for Constitutional GovernmentThe Fund for Constitutional Government is a publicly supported, charitable, nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to expose and correct corruption in the federal government and other major national institutions through research and public education.

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against DefamationGLAAD is a national organization dedicated to promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in the media as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

Global ExchangeGlobal Exchange is a non-profit research, education, and action center dedicated to promoting people-to-people ties around the world. 'Since our founding in 1988, we have been striving to increase global awareness among the US public while building international partnerships around the world.'

Global Green USAGlobal Green USA works in cooperation with individuals, industry, and government to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. Acting as a catalyst, facilitator, and mediator, Global Green USA encourages collaborative approaches and crosscutting solutions to environmental challenges.

Government Accountability ProjectBrave whistleblowers are often targeted for harassment, intimidation, demotion, and dismissal. In 1977, the non-profit Government Accountability Project was created to help these employees, who, through their individual acts of conscience, protect each and everyone of us.

GreenpeaceIndependent campaigning organization that uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and to force solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Handgun Control, Inc.A non-profit, non-partisan organization with over 380,000 active members, HCI is dedicated to the passage of sensible gun laws. Recognized as the premier gun violence prevention lobby in the nation.

Human Rights CampaignThe largest national lesbian and gay political organization, envisions an America where lesbian and gay people are ensured of their basic equal rights -- and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

Human Rights WatchNew York-based organization that monitors human rights in over seventy countries worldwide. Keep up-to-date with world events and learn about human rights around the globe.

Humane Society of the United StatesThe Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) envisions a world in which people satisfy the physical and emotional needs of domestic animals; protect wild animals and their environments; and change their relationships with other animals, evolving from exploitation and harm to respect and compassion.

Human Rights FirstWorking to protect and promote human rights and hold all governments accountable to the standards affirmed in the Intl Bill of Human Rights. Its programs focus on building the legal institutions and structures that will guarantee human rights in the long term.

Hunger ProjectCommitted to creating a future that rejects the inevitability of hunger and recognizes the limitations of a consumeristic society.

Institute for Agriculture and Trade PolicyThe Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's mission is to create environmentally and economically sustainable rural communities and regions through sound agriculture and trade policy. We assist public interest organizations in coalition building and influencing both domestic and international policymaking through monitoring, analysis and research, education and outreach, and information systems management.

Institute for Local Self-RelianceNonprofit research and educational organization that provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies.

Institute for Policy StudiesAt a time when other think tanks celebrate the virtues of unrestrained greed, unlimited wealth, and unregulated markets, IPS is striving to create a more responsible society - one built around the values of justice, nonviolence, sustainability, and decency. IPS, as I.F. Stone once said, is an Institute for the rest of us.

Institute for Public AccuracyA nationwide consortium, IPA represents an unprecedented effort to bring other voices to the mass-media table often dominated by a few major think tanks. IPA works to broaden public discourse in mainstream media, while building communication with alternative media outlets and grassroots activists.

Interfaith AllianceTIA's members have come together for the purpose of standing up to the Christian Coalition and other radical right wing groups and individuals who wrap themselves in the language and symbolism of religious faith.

International Center for Technology AssessmentThe International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) is a non-profit, bi-partisan organization committed to providing the public with full assessments and analyses of technological impacts on society. CTA is devoted to fully exploring the economic, ethical, social, environmental and political impacts that can result from the applications of technology or technological systems.

International Relations CenterIRC is a policy studies institute in Silver City, New Mexico. Through our three primary programs/projects we promote our mission of " working to make the U.S. a more responsible member of the global community by promoting progressive strategic dialogues that lead to new citizen-based agendas."

Jobs with JusticeA national campaign for workers’ rights. Working through coalitions of labor, community, religious and constituency organizations, Jobs with Justice is fighting for workers’ rights and economic justice.

Jubilee 2000/USABiblical tradition calls for a Jubilee year, when slaves are set free and debts cancelled. Jubilee 2000/USA is part of the worldwide movement to cancel the crushing international debt of impoverished countries.

Justice at Stake Campaign Justice at Stake Campaign partners educate the public and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom. JAS is currently funded by grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Joyce Foundation, the Open Society Institute, and the Public Welfare Foundation.

Justice For AllThrough private citizen and corporate membership, Justice For All will peacefully exert the social and legislative influence necessary to effect positive change in the criminal justice system.

Latin America Working GroupLAWG is a coalition of over sixty religious, human rights, policy, grassroots and development organizations. Striving for U.S. policies that promote peace, justice and sustainable development in the region.

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under LawThe Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination and obtain equal opportunity for minorities by addressing factors that contribute to racial justice and economic opportunity.

League of Conservation VotersThe political voice for over 9 million members of environmental groups, LCV works full-time to educate citizens about the environmental voting records of Members of Congress.

Libraries for the FutureA national organization dedicated to information equity, literacy and the preservation and renewal of libraries as essential tools for a democratic society.

MADRESince 1983, MADRE has worked in partnership with community-based organizations in conflict areas worldwide to address issues of women's health, economic development, and other human rights. MADRE provides resources and training for its sister organizations and works to empower people in the US to demand changes to unjust policies.

Media AllianceMedia Alliance is a 22-year-old nonprofit training and resource center for media workers, community organizations, and political activists. Their mission is excellence, ethics, diversity, and accountability in all aspects of the media in the interests of peace, justice, and social responsibility.

Media Matters Media Matters for America is a Web-based progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.

Military Toxics ProjectThe Military Toxics Project (MTP) is a national non-profit network of neighborhood, veterans', Indigenous, peace, environmental, and other organizations representing people affected by military contamination and pollution. We work with community leaders to help them act and speak for themselves.

MindFreedom InternationalMindFreedom International unites 100 grassroots groups and thousands of members to win campaigns for human rights of people diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities.

Mobilization for Global JusticeLeading the charge against the IMF and the World Bank.

MoveOn.orgMoveOn is an online activist network for grassroots involvement helping busy but concerned citizens to find their political voice.

National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL)NARAL fights to protect our very basic and necessary right to choose - meaning having access to safe and legal abortion, effective contraceptive options, and quality reproductive health care.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)NAACP is the the oldest, largest and strongest Civil Rights Organization in the US. Works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States.

National Breast Cancer CoalitionThe National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer. NBCC was formed in 1991 with one mission: to eradicate breast cancer through action and advocacy.

National Campaign to Restore Civil RightsThis progressive, nonpartisan campaign connects people and groups deeply concerned about the destruction of our nation's civil rights in the federal courts.

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty NCADP provides information, advocates for public policy, and mobilizes and supports individuals and institutions that share our unconditional rejection of capital punishment.

National Committee for an Effective CongressNCEC is a full-service progressive political action committee which supports progressive House and Senate candidates.

National Environmental TrustNET is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the American public on contemporary environmental issues.

National Gay and Lesbian Task ForceNGLTF is the leading progressive civil rights organization that has supported grassroots organizing and advocacy to strengthen the gay and lesbian movement at the state and local level while connecting these activities to a national vision of change.

National Labor CommitteeThe NLC investigates and exposes human and labor rights abuses committed by U.S. companies producing goods in the developing world and pressing for international legal frameworks with effective enforcement mechanisms.

National Lawyers GuildThe National Lawyers Guild is an association dedicated to the need for basic change in the structure of our political and economic system. We seek to unite the lawyers, law students, legal workers and jailhouse lawyers of America in an organization that shall function as an effective political and social force in the service of the people, to the end that human rights shall be more sacred than property interests.

National Organization for Women (NOW)NOW is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

National Parks Conservation AssociationNPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.

National Priorities ProjectThe National Priorities Project (NPP) offers citizen and community groups tools and resources to shape federal budget and policy priorities which promote social and economic justice. Since 1983, the National Priorities Project (NPP) has been the only group in the country that focuses on the impacts of federal tax and spending policies at the community level.

National Security Archive The National Security Archive is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. that collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Native Forest CouncilUtilizes ethical, moral, religious, and eco-economic arguments to protect, preserve and recover our nation's national forests and watersheds, and end corporate welfare destructive to the public health and well being.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)NRDC uses law, science, and the support of more than 400,000 members nationwide to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.

Nuclear Information and Resource ServiceNIRS is the information and networking center for citizens and environmental organizations concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, radiation, and sustainable energy issues.

Office of the AmericasThe Office of the Americas is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the cause of justice and peace in the hemisphere through broad-based educational programs.

Organic Consumers AssociationThe OCA is a grassroots non-profit public interest organization which deals with issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability.

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and GaysPFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.

Peace ActionThrough national and grassroots citizen action Peace Action works to redirect federal spending from military to human needs, abolish nuclear weapons, end the international arms trade and foster the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Peace Brigades PBUS is a regional office of Peace Brigades International, which promotes nonviolent transformation of conflicts by accompanying human rights defenders, their organizations, and others threatened by political violence in creating a space for local activists to work for social justice and human rights.

Peaceful TomorrowsPeaceful Tomorrows is an advocacy organization founded by family members of September Eleventh victims. Its mission is to seek effective nonviolent responses to terrorism, and identify a commonality with all people similarly affected by violence throughout the world.

The Policy Action Network / Moving IdeasAn online consortium of progressive research and advocacy organizations, PAN works for a more inclusive and intellible debate about the policy issues that shape our world.

People for the American WayWashington, DC-based legal/lobbying operation which focuses on constitutional issues such as opposing school vouchers & censorship. Maintains library on the activities of the religious right. Closely tied to Clinton administration.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, with more than one million members, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. Founded in 1980, PETA is dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment.

Pesticides Action Network North AmericaPANNA (Pesticide Action Network North America) has campaigned to replace pesticides with ecologically sound alternatives since 1982

Physicians Committee for Responsible MedicineFounded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization supported by over 5,000 physicians and 100,000 laypeople. PCRM promotes preventive medicine through innovative programs, encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research, and advocates broader access to medical services.

Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is the advocacy organization for a single payer national health program in the US. It includes over 10,000 physician-members and has chapters and/or spokespeople in all 50 states. PNHP provides speakers, testimony, research, an activist-alert network, and leadership to catalyze and mobilize the public to demand that health care become a right in the US. The group's web site is www.pnhp.org, and they welcome help in distributing their press releases to the media.

Physicians for Social ResponsibilityWorking to create a world free of nuclear weapons, global environmental pollution, and gun violence. The active conscience of American medicine, PSR uses its members' expertise and professional leadership, influence within the medical community and strong links to policy makers to address this century's greatest threats to human welfare and survival.

Planned ParenthoodPP believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence.

Political Research Associates / Public EyePolitical Research Associates is an independent, not-for-profit research center which monitors and analyzes those organizations, leaders, ideas, and activities of the US political right that undermine democracy and diversity.

Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy (POCLAD)We are twelve activists who have spent the last several years researching corporate, labor and legal histories, rethinking our past organizing strategies and talking with people about democracy movements. We work in the tradition of people's struggles to replace illegitimate and tyrannical institutions with democratic ones that disperse, rather than concentrate, wealth and power.

Progressive MajorityProgressive Majority has a clear and bold purpose: To elect progressive champions who will help change the direction of this country. We will do this by building a nationwide member network that will provide much-needed early support to progressive candidates — helping them win election and bringing our values back in to the halls of government.

ProgressNow Action The best news coverage, the most clever ads aren’t enough to change public opinion. Change has to be made one person at a time, community by community, all across the state and the country. ProgressNow Action gives you the tools you need make this change happen.

Project on Government Oversight (POGO)The Project On Government Oversight is a non-partisan non-profit government watchdog. Our mission is to investigate, expose, and remedy abuses of power, mismanagement, and government subservience to special interests by the federal government.

Public CampaignPublic Campaign is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to sweeping reform that aims to dramatically reduce the role of special interest money in America's elections and the influence of big contributors in American politics. Public Campaign will lay the foundation for reform by working with various organizations, particularly citizen groups around the country that are fighting for change in their states.

Public CitizenFounded by Ralph Nader, Public Citizen is the consumer's eyes and ears in Washington. With more than 150,000 members, PC fights for safer drugs and medical devices, cleaner and safer energy sources, a cleaner environment, fair trade, and a more open and democratic government.

Public Interest Research GroupsFounded by Ralph Nader, the state PIRGs are leading environmental and consumer watchdog organizations serving to preserve the environment, protect consumers and promote democracy.

Rainforest Action NetworkRAN works to protect the Earth's rainforests and support the rights of their inhabitants through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action.

Redefining Progress Redefining Progress seeks to shift the prevailing definition of progress, from one based exclusively on a growing economy, to one that resonates with people's sense of the quality of their lives.

Rock the VoteRock the Vote is dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and to helping young people realize and utilize their power to affect change in the civic and political lives of their communities.

School of the Americas WatchInformation and links regarding the US Army School of the Americas, a facility accused of training Latin American officials guilty of human rights abuses. It is operated by the SOA Watch, a group dedicated to closing the School.

Sierra Club550,000 member-supported public interest organization that promotes conservation of the natural environment by influencing public policy decisions: legislative, administrative, legal, and electoral.

Silicon Valley Toxics CampaignSilicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) is a diverse grassroots nonprofit organization consisting of environmental and neighborhood groups, labor unions, public health leaders, people affected by toxic exposure and others.

Southern Poverty Law CenterCombats hate, intolerance and discrimination through education and litigation. Over 400,000 contibuting members.

Stop Global WarmingStopGlobalWarming.org is a response by citizens to address the most urgent issue of our generation, reducing global warming and with it, the protection of our planet and the survival of our species as we know it.

Taxpayers for Common SenseFighting the politicians from both parties who continue to fund pork-barrel projects, hand out unfair subsidies and tax breaks and make back room deals with lobbyists.

Union of Concerned ScientistsUCS is an independent nonprofit alliance of 70,000 committed citizens and leading scientists across the country. UCS augments rigorous scientific research with public education and citizen advocacy to help build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

United for a Fair EconomyUnited for a Fair Economy puts a spotlight on the dangers of excessive inequality of income and wealth in the United States -- and brings people together to take action to close this economic divide.

United for Peace and JusticeUnited for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 1300 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to oppose the US government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.

Veterans for PeaceHaving served his or her nation in the military -- many in times of war and at great sacrifice -- a Veteran for Peace accepts the responsibilities to serve the cause of peace on all levels, from the neighborhood to the world.

Violence Policy CenterVPV works to reduce gun death and injury in America by approaching firearms violence as a public health issue and illustrating the need to hold firearms to the same health and safety standards we hold all other consumer products.

Water AdvocatesWater Advocates is a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing American support for worldwide access to safe, affordable, and sustainable drinking water and adequate sanitation.

Wellstone Action!Wellstone Action is a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing Paul and Sheila Wellstone's fight for progressive change and economic justice.

Wilderness SocietyNon-profit membership organization devoted to preserving wilderness and wildlife, protecting America's prime forests, parks, rivers, deserts and shorelands, and fostering an American land ethic.

Win Without WarWin Without War is a coalition of national organizations representing broad constituencies that aim to Keep America Safe by advocating that international cooperation and enforceable international law provide the greatest security for the United States and the world.

Women's Action for New DirectionsOur mission is to empower women to act politically to reduce militarism and violence and to redirect excessive military spending to human and environmental needs.

Women's International League for Peace and FreedomWILPF works to achieve through peaceful means world disarmament, full rights for women, racial and economic justice, an end to all forms of violence, and to establish those political, social, and psychological conditions which can assure peace, freedom, and justice for all.

Women Leaders OnlineWomen Leaders Online is building a network of one million women and sympathetic men to empower women in politics, society, the economy, the media, and cyberspace. We publish regular Alerts with actions you can take to make a difference on critical issues affecting women.

Worldwatch InstitutePublic policy research organization dedicated to informing policymakers and the public about emerging global problems and trends and the complex links between the world economy and its environmental support systems.

World Wildlife FundWWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: protecting endangered spaces, saving endangered species, and addressing global threats. Over 1 million US members.