[New-imc] Online form: Proposed new IMC! (Abitibi)

[jjlachapelle at hotmail.com]

Submitted by: Jean-Jacques Lachapelle <jjlachapelle at hotmail.com> on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006 @ 12:28:08 pm (-0800)

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Online Form Fields
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proposed_imc_name:
Abitibi

proposed_imc_url:
www.abitibi.indymedia.org

current_url:


city:
Abitibi (region)

state:
Quebec

country:
Canada

contact_name:
Jean-Jacques Lachapelle

contact_email:
jjlachapelle at hotmail.com

contact_phone:
(819) 762-0052

tech_name:
Claude Boutet

tech_email:
bou22 at hotmail.com

tech_phone:
(819) 762-0052

focus:
regional_focus

critical_dates:


supporting_groups:
-	Écart… lieu d’art actuel (contemporary art group)
-	Syndicat des enseignants du Cégep (college teachers’ union)
-	ABAT (Action Boréale Abitibi-Témiscamingue – environmental group)


introductory_statement:
Abitibi is a vast region with its population dispersed throughout the area. However, the wealth of its natural resources is being exploited on a large scale, resulting in harmful environmental and socio-economic effects on the population. The Abitibi Indymedia network will bring together individuals and groups who are trying to have their voices heard, but have not yet been able accomplish this. The distances we have to travel are formidable, making large gatherings difficult to hold. Media concentration makes it increasingly difficult to disseminate information of public interest. Moreover, Indymedia can play an important role in a number of sectors – women’s groups, artists’ coops, community groups. The same applies to the Algonquin and Cree communities, who also find it difficult to make their desires, claims and culture in general known to the population in the region.

resources:
Editorial: Our collective is composed of people who are involved in the field and who regularly write materials on social issues. 

Technical Support: We can also count on the support of computer specialists. 

Server: However, we are relying on Indymedia to supply the server. 



outreach:
We have launched an appeal to groups involved in their specific sector – organizations of community groups, student associations, teachers’ union, artists’ groups, environmental groups. From these, five people have held ongoing meetings, their mandate being to establish an Independent Media Centre (IMC) in Abitibi. Since Indymedia is not well known in the region, we believe there is no better way to increase awareness of us than to create an independent media centre.

identity_makeup:
Our collective does not represent the whole community. However, many of us are involved in a variety of sectors – union, environmental protection group, artists’ group, computer specialist. 

steps_represent_diversity:
1)	Information sessions and presentations at general assemblies and board meetings. 
2)	Media interviews in conventional media.
3)	Training sessions during events open to the public at large …
4)	Contact with aboriginal groups and training.


steps_involve_new_workfields:
Monthly meetings are planned. The locations, dates and times of the meetings will be announced in advance on the website, and invitations will be extended to people who are interested to get involved. 

username:
Jean-Jacques Lachapelle