. .

About the tour

The European Bhopal Speakers' bus tour - An International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB) initiative.

In partnership with the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA, UK) and Amnesty International (AI, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark)

October-December 2009 and spring / summer 2010

AIMS

  • To take the 25th anniversary year Bhopal health and justice campaigns, and associated issues into communities, universities and events in the UK and mainland Europe.
  • To enable Bhopalis to talk directly to European communities and organisations.
  • To broaden and deepen the ICJB and the BMA's relationships with like-minded organisations.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

  • To develop the UK and European supporter / donor base
  • Raise funds for the BMA
  • Bring increased local pressure on the Dow Chemical Company
  • Inspire student campaigning on Bhopal and corporate accountability in general
  • Partner with organisations campaigning on corporate accountability and health, human rights and environmental issues
  • Make Bhopal a persistent European presence in 2009/10

THEMES

Cautionary

  • Corporate-impacted communities are able to reclaim rights and dignity through determined, creative compassionate interventions
  • The smallest contributions to these efforts can make a difference
  • Hard-won knowledge can be shared
  • Solidarity between organisations and ordinary people across borders can achieve miracles

Positive

  • Corporate impunity leads to the violation of numerous rights
  • Insufficiencies in international law lead to gross injustices

WHAT WILL THE TOUR DO?

The bus can operate as a stand-alone event in itself and/or can support events / conferences / meetings with the following:

  • Cinema (internal and external)
  • Onboard exhibition
  • Café (external - marquee space)
  • Meeting space
  • Rolling justice and health campaign
  • Speaking venue
  • Mobile advert

WHERE WILL IT GO IN EUROPE?

  • Launching AI's Demand Dignity campaign in each country (Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark returning to the UK for the commemoration event in London on the evening of Thursday 3rd December - please put this date in your diairies)
  • Demonstrations / protests at Dow factories and offices
  • AI country directors' meeting (Denmark)
  • Human rights conferences
  • Political meetings
  • Global climate change conference http://en.cop15.dk/about+cop15 - the bus will stand outside this venue on the 28th Nov in Copenhagen, Denmark and the bus exhibition will be open to delegates during breaks
  • Universities & schools
  • Festivals (arts and music, local authority)
  • Campaign events
  • Communities impacted by corporate crime / environmental pollution
  • Bhopal / Amnesty supporters & activists with a focus on youth groups