September/October 1985 RAIN Page 17 Green-oriented elements of existing religious traditions. For example, she applauds the growing movement within Judaism and Christianity to eschew planetary dominion for stewardship, viewing the entire web of life on earth as God's creation and thus sacred. Spretnak concludes by suggesting four key points for Green spirituality: "Sustainable religion in the Green vision for society entails the 1200 'primary religious bodies' in our country emphasizing four areas that are already contained in their traditions: spiritual development through inner growth, ecological wisdom, gender equality, and social responsibility. If we would simply ^efsenoMS about these four areas, can you imagine the transformation of American religion that would result?" Bioregionalism and Ecological Politics, by David Haenke, 1984,30 pp., $4 from: New Life Farm PO Box 129 Drury, MO 65638 Authored by David Haenke, longtime Ozarkian bioregional activist and convenor of the first North American Biore- giona! Congress, this short booklet outlines many of the implications of conducting politics from a standpoint of biocentrism (that is, in the interest of all life, not just humans). Interregional Committees of Correspondence PO 80x14748 Minneapolis, MN 55414 We announced the formation of the Interregional Committees of Correspondence in our November 1984 issue. The ICC was set up as a national networking office to "encourage multi-leveled movement building" among local and regional Green groups nationwide. As a national organization, it has thus far had a rather fitful history due to problems with funding and self-definition. The national office now seems to have stabilized at a fairly minimal level (one part-time staff person working out of his home), with a national working group of about a dozen people fulfilling different functions related to national organizing and networking (such as developing an organizing kit, publishing a national newsletter, drafting a platform, coordinating regional representatives, and so on). Meanwhile, organizing activity at the local level has been going well in many areas around the country. As more local groups come together and begin to assess their needs, the ICC will have something to network and its role will become clearer. Certainly, one important function is to facilitate communication between different groups, a function that will be served by its national newsletter. The first issue is due out this fall. You can become a founding participant in the ICC with a $15 contribution, which entitles you to a local organizing packet, a year of newsletters, and a list of other contacts in your region. Send to address above. "The Japan Green Federation," in Akwesasne Notes, Spring 1985, and "The Programme of the European Greens," in Akwesasne Notes, Summer 1985, $1.50/ issue, $8/year (six issues) from: Akwesasne Notes Mohawk Nation via Rooseveltown, NY 13683 Akwesasne Notes, well-known for its fine coverage of issues concerning Native Americans and indigenous peoples throughout the world, has recently shown an interest in Green politics. These two articles can help Americans better understand the international character of the Green movement. The first is a founding statement by the Japan Green Federation, an association of 13 Green organizations in Japan. The second is a policy statement by the European Greens, an association of Green parties throughout Europe, which calls for, among other things, a "Europe of Regions, free from the division imposed by artificial borders, and working together to conserve and develop their cultural and physical diversity." "The Green Party Comes of Age," by Horace Mewes, in Environment, June 1985, $4 from: Heldref Publications 4000 Albermarle Street, NW Washington, DC 20016 A sympathetic yet critical view of recent developments in the Green party of West Germany, primarily from an environmental perspective. We learn of the problems die Griinen have had with factionalism, with their rotation system for holding political office, and with the cooptation of some of their programs by other parties, primarily the Social Democrats (some see this last as a success rather than a problem). On the whole, this article gives an informative and current account of a very significant political phenomenon across the Atlantic that most Americans still know very little about. Green Politics A.T. Directory, in Tranet, Summer 1985, $7.50 from: _ Tranet Box 567 Rangeley, ME 04970 Probably the most complete directory of Green organizations throughout the world currently available. Green Alliance Newsletter, published irregularly, inquire for price from: Green Alliance Network PO Box 55 Cooma 2630 AUSTRALIA Reports on Green-oriented activism from the land down under. Kind of funky in its format, the Green Alliance offers a lively collection of discussions on permaculture (from the place where the concept was invented), land use policy, aboriginal rights, intentional communities, and the Australian anti-nuclear movement. Keeping Up with the Greens Here are a few periodicals that will help keep you informed of Green developments: Green Letter, published irregularly, $10/ year from: PO Box 9242, Berkeley, CA 94709. (Reviewed in RAIN XI:3, page 25.) Synthesis, published irregularly, $3.75/5 issues, from: PO Box 1858, San Pedro, CA 90733. (Reviewed in RAIN XI:2, page 22.) New Options, monthly, $29/year from: PO Box 19324, Washington, DC 20036. (Reviewed in RAIN XI:1, page 27.) t
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