For those interested in the type of comprehensive analysis Phil delivered, watch out for Fred Harrison from the UK, the world’s pre-emininent expert on the 18 year cycle. We aree very excited to be touring him in 2008. Fred has many books discussing this issue available from our Prosper bookshop

Friday 27th April, 7.15 for 7.30pm sharp

Phil Anderson is a presenter of the highest note.

• Hear about the Warren Buffett of the 1920’s
• Learn about the inter-related nature of economic cycles
• Analyse unique data

Dont miss this important evening in the comforts of our Hardware Lane abode.

RSVP essential

Level 1, 27 Hardware Lane, CBD
Entry by gold coin donation

Drinks and nibbles will be provided

Melbourne – Hobart – Brisbane – Sydney

Alanna Hartzok is a Co-leader of the Earth Rights Institute and a UN NGO representative. She has worked extensively with the UN HABITAT on local funding issues and has a long list of public speaking engagements including the World Urban Forum, US Institute for Ecological Economics Conference, and the Eastern Economics Association Conference (NY).

Lecturer, legislative reformer and grass roots activist, Alanna Hartzok’s vast array of interests sees her moving between villages in Nigeria to the halls of power at the UN. Her central focus is that with greater insight we can orchestrate a tax shift policy that addresses major local and global problems.

Alanna hopes to help show “that there is an alternative economic paradigm which addresses the dis-functions of the current system, rather than simply the symptoms, an approach that is both more efficient and more equitable than the current one. People working for justice need to understand what we mean by the land problem and its place within an ethical and human rights framework.”

In her 2001 E.F. Schumacher Lecture she said “The needs of the people and the needs of the planet are one and the same: protection, care, validation, respect, appreciation, creative expression. Thus, the ethics of the Next Economy will flow out of a profound perception that the rights of human beings and the rights of the planet are one and the same. The Next Economy will be founded on ethics so simple and basic that thoughtful human beings will say, “Yes, this is true.” The force of truth is a liberating force, always has been and always will be. Mahatma Gandhi knew and taught this. Gandhi lived according to sattyagraha, the truth force.”

From 1993 until 1998 she was involved in a very tough political campaign to bring in legislation which made taxes more efficient and fair in her native Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She learnt first hand that to change land laws much education of lawmakers is necessary along with an enormous amount of patience and resilience.

However Alanna does more than give lectures and talk to politicians. She is actively involved in bringing about peace and prosperity. This is seen with her involvement with the building of an Eco Village Living and Learning Centre in Odi, Nigeria. This is a region continually in conflict over oil rents, and Alanna and her Team are developing connections in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta, working to develop a Resource Trust similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund.

While in Australia Alanna will address many diverse groups whose interests range from democracy to infrastructure funding, the green tax shift and peace. Upon hearing Alanna’s message you will gain a new policy outlook for which many of the world’s problems would be simplified if only the policy makers respected fundamental economic laws.

Alanna Hartzok CV Highlights:

Current:

- Working with the UN HABITAT Agency’s Land Tenure Center to develop worldwide training programs
- Finishing a book - The Earth Belongs to Everyone - A Collection of Articles and Essays by Alanna Hartzok, to be published by the Institute for Economic Democracy
in July 2006.
- Advising associates of United for a Fair Economy to develop populist education on Land Value Taxation methodology in Pennsylvania
- Preparing a presentation for the World Urban Forum, Vancouver 2006

Articles featured in:

Creating a Sustainable World: Past Experiences, Future Struggles edited by Trent Schroyer and Thomas Golodik (The Apex Press, 2006)
- article: Land Ethics and Public Finance Policy as if People and Planet Mattered

A World that Works: Building Blocks for a Just and Sustainable Society, by Trent Schroyer (The Bootstrap Press)
- article: Pennsylvania’s Success with Local Tax Reform

Building a More Democratic United Nations, edited by Frank Barnaby (Frank Cass),
- article: Acting As If the Second Assembly Already Exists.

Planet Champions: Adventures in Saving the World by Jack Yost (Bridge City Books)

Synopsis:

• March 2006 - delivered her delivered her 40th major lecture in the last 4 years, a two hour presentation to a group of progressive Federal Democrats in Washington on tax reform.
• 2004 – set up Nigeria’s first Eco-Village in Odi, Niger Delta
• 2001 E.F Schumacher Lecture – Democracy, Earth Rights & the Next Economy. Talk reprinted in light of critical acclaim by the E.F Schumacher Society
• 2001 – represented the Green Party in Pennsylvania State elections.
• 1993 - initiated tax reform legislation and worked with state Senator Terry Punt and his staff to guide it through Pennsylvania legislative hearings to nearly unanimous passage of Senate Bill 211, signed by Governor Thomas Ridge as Act 108 in November of 1998.

The True Cost Economics forum is attempting to link the industries of Science, Insurance and Economics together. Science is leading the way with the evidence of Global Warming. The rapidly increasing cost of Insurance is alerting us of the dangers to ignoring nature’s law. Economics needs to direct the behaviour of consumers towards looking after the planet.

A new economic paradigm is needed to ensure a liveable planet is left for future generations. It has been over 120 years since the last economic paradigm change to Neo Classical Economics (NCE). The previous change was 110 years before that, when Adam Smith wrote the Wealth of Nations and Classical Economics was born.

The concern with most moves towards a green economic system is the inflationary effect eco-taxes add. Alanna Hartzok from the Earth Rights Institute (USA) will discuss how this pressure can be reduced and why the UN HABITAT is so interested in her work.

Whilst much of the scientific world has provided evidence of the problems associated with Global Warming, it is up to progressive thinkers to start pushing the solutions to some of these problems.

Aims:

1. To hold a 1 Day public forum promoting the need for a transition towards a True Cost Economic system. It is the best way we can attempt to keep up with the changing climate of this modern world.
2. Provide clear evidence of how quickly & effectively economics affects behaviour.
3. Demonstrate how Science may be able to help in valuing
a. watershed’s and other present day intangibles
ie the value of a tree
4. Encourage Insurance to lobby for a new economic paradigm by offering lower premiums to those environmentally active.
5. Demonstrate how a comprehensive True Cost Economic system can prioritise the earth’s living systems and simultaneously free small business from the shackles of paperwork and prohibitive rents.

Speakers:

• Alanna Hartzok (Earth Rights Institute, USA)
• Dr Ian McPhail (Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability)
• Associate Professor Frank Fisher (Nat. Centre for Sustainability)
• Kenneth Davidson, (Journalist, The Age)
• Francis Grey (Economist at Large)
• Jose Ramos (Centre for Social change Research, QUT)
• Dominic Gilligan (Sustainable Living Festival)
• Karl Fitzgerald (Earthsharing Australia)

The Venue:

The National Centre for Sustainabilty, Swinburne, Hawthorn. Enter off Park St (parallel to Burwood Road) and head to Building TD, room TD121. Check map here.

Summary:

This event will promote the fact that progressives must talk in the language of the market to open the ears of the corridors to power.

The true cost of avoiding such a transition towards responsible economics is quickly becoming apparent. Let’s insure against the power of nature by following the money trail and scientifically re-directing it towards a profitable future for all generations.