Vision Statement of the Peoples’ Summit:
“Another World is Possible”

In Pittsburgh, on September 19-22, a Peoples’ Summit has assembled to engage in a dialogue about the economic, social, and political problems facing the world, in the days preceding the G-20 Summit, scheduled to meet in this city September 24-25.

We believe that solutions to our global problems are possible and must be based on the basic principles of democracy and human rights. Concerned with attaining economic development that promotes social justice -- locally, nationally, and globally -- we look forward to a future in which the world’s peoples experience:

1. The elimination of hunger and poverty
2. An end to all forms of racism
3. The rights and dignity of labor
4. Freedom and empowerment of women
5. Education for all, especially for youth
6. Adequate health care as a basic human right
7. The creation of safe and inclusive communities
8. An end to war and to the conditions that cause war
9. The human rights of the vulnerable – refugees, immigrants, the disabled, etc.
10. Implementation of policies to ensure the preservation of our planet’s ecosystem.

We envision a world in which basic rights—freedom of expression, freedom of thought and religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want—are enjoyed by all people. This is not the reality of our world today. Yet, in our diversity and plurality of orientations, inspired by mutual respect and the spirit of solidarity, we share the conviction that another world is possible.

We anticipate that participants in this Peoples’ Summit will be inspired to take action – both personal and communal – to help make this vision a reality.

Greetings from Howard Zinn

Press Release 8-14-09

www.PeoplesSummit.com
pghpeoplessummit@gmail.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Peoples’ Summit, a program of informed dialogue about the economic, social and political problems facing the world, will take place from Saturday, September 19 to Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at several locations in the city of Pittsburgh. Saturday’s conference and Tuesday evening’s events will take place at the Twentieth Century Club in Oakland, and Monday evening’s program will take place at the New Hazlett Theatre on the North Side.

The primary sponsors of the Peoples’ Summit are a partnership of educators and advocacy groups concerned with peace and social justice. They include; the Office of the Vice Provost of Education at Carnegie Mellon University, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Global Solutions Pittsburgh, State Senator Jim Ferlo (PA 38th District), Three Rivers Community Foundation and the Thomas Merton Center.

Some of the speakers confirmed for the summit are: Howard Zinn, Walden Bello, James Quilligan, Tim Stevens, State Senator Jim Ferlo, Carl Redwood, Molly Rush, Anthony Arnove and Jeremy Scahill. A full list of speakers, to date, with brief biographies is available at www.peoplessummit.com

A more detailed schedule of events and finalized locations will be released on Thursday, August 20. For more information please contact Paul Le Blanc at 412-760-9716 or e-mail pghpeoplessummit@gmail.com.

City Council, Onorato and Ravenstahl supportive of the Peoples' Summit

The City Council passed a proclamation supporting the Peoples' Summit. Here is an excerpt, while the full proclamation can be be accessed by viewing the attachment:

"NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Peoples’ Summit, all associated institutions and organizations, and the citizen volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it a success. Their outstanding efforts are certain to create a greater understanding about the challenges we face, the solutions we should explore and the social dialogue that is necessary for the realization of a better world. Further more, the citizens of our region are encouraged to seize the opportunity to participate in this significant and historic event."

Also, statements of support for the upcoming Peoples’ Summit will be forthcoming from County Executive Dan Onorato and the office of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, according to the office of State Senator Jim Ferlo.