Econvergence Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Rev. Kate Lore

September 14, 2009
klore@firstunitarianportland.org
503-228-6389 ext. 44 or 503-706-6482 cell
or Carolyn.burleigh@gmail.com/503-381-1095

Author and Activist Noam Chomsky Presents Keynote at Econvergence Conference

Three day conference hosted by over 50 Northwest social justice organizations features international experts on challenges of current environmental and economic crises.

Portland, Oregon – Over 50 Northwest labor, environmental and social justice organizations and hundreds of community organizers will gather to explore ways to respond to the current global economic and environmental crises at the upcoming Econvergence Conference (www.econvergence.org). A pre-conference gathering happens on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with scheduled conference events from Friday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 4. Admission to the three-day conference is FREE, and events will be held at First Unitarian Church Portland and Portland State University. Visit www.econvergence.org for further information about the conference program, speakers, and participating organizations.

Noam Chomsky’s keynote “When Elites Fail,” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at First Unitarian Church Portland. Derrick Jensen, noted as one of Utne Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World, will present Sat., Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for both speakers can be purchased online at Tickets West http://ticketswest.rdln.com/.

“Our ministry has a long history of aiding campaigns that promote social justice and environmental preservation. The goal is to inform and inspire the participants to rise to new heights in addressing the dual challenges facing the economy and environment,” said Rev. Kate Lore, Social Justice Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Portland.

“This gathering will explore ways to break through the political gridlock that brought on the crises and so far have weakened legislative responses to the point where they have been largely ineffective.” said Robin Hahnel, conference organizer. Hahnel is an economics professor and best known nationally for his work on participatory economics.

Noam Chomsky Keynote:

Chomsky is an internationally known American linguist and social critic. He has lectured widely on philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary issues, international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. His keynote topic, “When Elites Fail,” will be presented on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 at 7 p.m. at First Unitarian Church Portland, 1034 SW 13th Avenue. Tickets are $20 for students and low income individuals, $40 for general admission, and $60 for supporters of the conference. Tickets be purchased online at Tickets West, http://ticketswest.rdln.com/.

Derrick Jensen:

Derrick Jensen is the author of Endgame, The Culture of Make Believe, and A Language Older than Words. He was named one of Utne Reader’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World” and won the Eric Hoffer Award in 2008. He writes for Orion, Audubon, and The Sun Magazine, among many others. Derrick Jensen’s presentation on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. can be purchased online at Tickets West, http://ticketswest.rdln.com/.

Econvergence Schedule:

Events will kick off with a premier screening of Plunder, hosted by director Danny Schechter on Thurs., Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at First Unitarian Church Portland, 1034 SW 13th Avenue. Groups representing labor, the environment, and the arts will host more than 100 panels and workshops featuring Eric Holt-Gimenez, Tom Palley, David Korten, and Barbara Garson among others on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.econvergence.org for further information about the conference program, speakers, and participating organizations.

About Econvergence:

Among the organizations sponsoring Econvergence are Portland Jobs With Justice, Coalition for a Livable Future, Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, Economics for Equity and the Environment, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, PDX Peace Coalition, Rural Organizing Project, Alliance for Democracy, Portland OASIS, Peoples Food Coop, KBOO Radio, American Postal Workers Union Local 2354, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and Olympia Fellowship for Reconciliation.