Mobilizar, Resistir, Transformar

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FRIDAY 18TH -' Mobilizar, Resistir, Transformar'

It's time to leave. I'm typing my final entry at the FoEI stall at the Klimaforum, as we sell the last few books, calendars and t-shirts, and saying goodbye. I've learned a lot over the long ten days since I left Ireland. Some practical things: how to walk in a giant blue dress for 9 hours, how to navigate my way around a city, how to keep going despite colds and flu, how I respond to aggressive eurolines drivers and violent police. I've learned never to assume that journalists or media will listen to any of one's words, and not just right their own nonsense 'quotes' regardless. I've learned never even assume a media person IS a media person - many of the rough pushy cameramen who had their gear in our faces during the action on Wednesday were actually police officers gathering facial close-ups. I've learned that the UNFCCC process is not going to bring the change that we need. Only a radical global change away from the old dominant economic and development paradigm can allow us to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. What's happening in the Bella seems only to be locking us even further into corporate domination and destruction. I'm afraid that if a bad deal is done - civil society's work will become even more challenging from now on.

It's no time for despair though. I've gotten to know a great bunch of Irish activists and met others from all over Europe. I think we can recharge and spread the word about what has happened here. I'm off to catch the bus, with some hope, some new phone numbers, and three words in my head; Mobilize - Resist - Transform.