Liebe Bergfreunde,

hier ein kurzfristiger Veranstaltungshinweis (Lieber zu spät als gar nicht!)

Vom 7. bis zum 24. August findet eine Rundwanderung - Kora - um den Mont Blanc statt an der sich auch MW International beteiligt. Es geht darum anlässlich der Olympischen Spiele auf die Menschrechtssituation in Tibet mit diversen Events an den Etappenorten hinzuweisen. Man kann auch der einzelnen Etappen teilnehmen. Deutschsprechender Ansprechpartner ist Stefania Benuzzi (Tel. 0039/06/3332732 Festnetz bis 7.8. und ab ca.  8.8. Handy 340.3454176)


KORA AROUND MONT-BLANC DURING THE OLYMPICS GAMES
7-24/08/2008

Kora is an event that will run parallel to the Olympic Games in China this summer to support the Tibetan people in their willingness to return to Tibet.

This event takes place at the same time as many Support Groups and individuals lead similar actions around the world aiming to raise awareness in the world on the Tibetan issue.

In August 2008 the entire world will look towards Beijing .This moment is a unique opportunity to increase international discussions and help to improve Human Rights and Democracy to China.

“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” n° 2 extract of the olympic chart’s fundamental principles.

“ In giving the Olympic Games to Beijing you will contribute to the development of Human Rights Development”

Liu Jingmin, Vice President of the Application Committee of Chinese Capital.

Against all expectations the IOC gave the forthcoming Olympics to the RPC. These games will take place in Beijing from 8th  - 24th of August. They will start exactly on the 8/8/8  at 8 hours  8 minutes 8 seconds, the 8 being a symbol of prosperity in China

Prosperity in China can only be stated in economical terms.

But what is it in respect to the Human Being? Mocked human rights, destruction of the environment, genocides, repression, injustice, corruption, social disparity etc. are the daily occurences inflicted not only on the Tibetan people but to all minorities and to the Chinese people, by their own government.

Though some soft improvements,promises are not being kept. The situation has been worsening since China were awarded the Olympics.

Lions Des Neiges Mont Blanc is a Support Group whose goal is to support the Tibetan issue. As such, we are organising this event called Kora wishing to promote Human prosperity in Tibet and in China, and for the respect of fundamental Human Rights.



Attesting  the many deleterious effects of competitive sport , Olympism  does not bring “ sport  to serve the harmonious development  of mankind in order to promote a pacific society, caring for preserving human dignity” Extract  n°2 of fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter.

Lions des Neiges Mont Blanc’s goal is to try to bring some sense back to the Olympic spirit. Extract n° 4 of fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter state that “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

In other words, we wish to make theses games be games, and to participate in the coming of a society of cooperation and fraternity. Our goal is to raise awareness during this upcoming non-violent event by facing oppression, and breaches of Human Rights and Environmental Rights in Tibet. Furthermore we are challenging the RPC’s non-respect of the Olympics’ charter.

The Kora around Mont Blanc will take place during the Olympics from the 8th of August to the 24th of August 2008 , going through France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Kora is a Tibetan word meaning “circular path”: walking around a building or a sacred mountain, starting from the left side, in the direction of the planets’ movement. Kora also means the reflection of one’s thoughts during these different walkings.

This march will have many stops with various events in the main stopping places as Courmayeur (Italie) and les Houches (France).

Walkers are free to be part of the Kora for one day, several days or for the whole journey. All walkers must register before starting.

To organise the Kora we need physical and financial help from partners, sponsors, and supports groups etc.

Any individual or group that agrees with our goals is welcome to help Lions des Neiges Mont Blanc in organising this international event.



Enclosure:

Kora organisation
Board with day to day  stopping places  during the Kora around Mont Blanc during the Olympics
Lions Des Neiges Mont Blanc leaflet
Organisation:

The Kora is organised into 5 areas:
•      Finance : budget and accounting
•      Management : day to day management
•      Events:  organisation of concerts and festivities , workshops etc. during the march
•      Communication : working with the media to promote and advertise the march and the events related to the Kora      
•      Ethical Solidarity: development of sponsorships and partnerships


Planned Events:

•      Treks related to to the Kora
•      Better trained walkers could go on alpine variants
•      Thematic days
•      Concerts, shows…
•      Exhibitions: photos, tangkas, comics…
•      Conferences, roundtables
•      Support Groups and Associations’ stalls
•      Massage, meditation
•      On the way, setting up of Lungtas and Tibetan flags 
•      Lungtas printing workshops
•      Calligraphy workshops together in partnership with the local libraries in each of the stopping places
•      Engraving and stone carving workshops
•      Tibetan food
•      Reportage on the event: photos, films, articles
•      “Solid’air” flight: tandem paraglide named “Tibet Libre” during the march
•      Mont Blanc (climbing) ascention and flight from the top with the tandem paraglide named “Tibet libre” according to the authorisations and the weather
•      Award ceremony giving out medals and souvenirs on the last day with the Tibetan hymn
•      Search for sponsors for the event
•      Base camp, informations and advertising in Ateliers Equités in les Houches during the Kora

Commissions to contact:


•      Ethical Solidarity: Didier Gattini: koraethique@hotmail.fr 
tel: + 33 (0)4 50 54 55 20
•      Logistics  : Valérie Croz: val.croz@orange.fr
tel : +33 (0)6 85 32 23 78 
•      Communication : Christine Giguet : korajo@hotmail.fr
tel. : + 33 (0) 4 50 58 87 59
•      Events : Anne Marie Simond : annemarie.simond@free.fr
tel : + 33 (0)4 50 54 72 85


Further informations are available on:
http:olympe.everest.over-blog.com
and on Lions des Neiges Mont Blanc’s website: lionsdesneiges_montblanc@voila.fr