I was asked to publish the following information on this site. Please feel free to complete the details.

----------------------------------------

Hi everyone, 

on May 17th, 18th and 19th the “G8 University Summit”, backed by the CRUI (Italian Rectors' Conference) will take place in Turin (Italy). Education officers and presidents of the G8 state members’ along with those of other countries will meet. The summit intends to be the direct representative of the head of states’ G8 that will meet this summer in Sardinia and that settled as a goal counselling the “greats of this world” on issues such as the humanity and the planet, based on the so-called “neutrality and objectivity” of the knowledge delivered by universities. Considering the processes, reforms and plannings implemented by the members of the G8 (GATS, Bologna process …) this will truly be about a liberal draft aimed at turining universities into businesses and creating a "global market of education" (in other words: commercial exploitation of knowledge, financial autonomy, business values, competitiveness, employability).

Like in Brussels (and Leuven + Louvain) in April this year, the civil society mobilizes once again to show its refusal to submit to the dictate of the market and to assert its global resistance to a so-called "neo-liberal strategy" that is increasingly introduced in universities and within public education in general.

The counter-summit, organized by an Italian movement called “Onda anomale” is based on 2 axis:

• The Sherwood Climate Camp (details in Spanish, English, German, Italian and French), that proposes an self-managed international camp, from May 14^th to 19^th where a lot of discussion groups and actions concerning academics as well as environmental issues, will take place.
• The Block G8, from May 17^th to 19th that is a time for convergence between academic struggles and actions directed at disturbing the official summit.

Please note: the Italian security services are known for their zeal regarding repression so we advise every local group and/or supporter to be organized juridically and medically (setting up a legal and a medical team).  

Up to now, this is all the information we have. We will communicate new information as soon as possible. Please feel free to pass on this email!

1. Transportation

As for the transport, you are advised to be organized locally because no international organization has anticipated this event. For Grenoble and Lyon, a 54-seats bus is being prepared. It should be leaving on Sunday, 17^th in the morning and coming back on the 19^th in the evening. Price: between €20 and €40 depending on the financial support we will raise in the end. That is why I invite any organization (party, union, association, action group…) that would support this initiative to participate financially. Please contact us as soon as possible.

2. Accomodation

An international self-managed camp (Sherwood Climate Camp) is planned. As it is self-managed,  activists are still working on arranging food and community life (toilets, washing …). Please don’t forget your tent and sleeping bag. The Sherwood Climate Camp will set up from May 14^th to 19^th in the Giardin Ginzburg, Corso Moncalieri, Torino.

3. Schedules  

Sherwood Climate Camp (Giardino Ginzburg, Corso Moncalieri, Torino) 

Thursday May 14^th

Preparation and installation of the Sherwood Climate Camp 

Friday May 15^th

Afternoon and all night long:

Opening of the Sherwood Climate Camp and welcoming of the delegations and people taking part at the counter-summit.

Saturday May 16^th

Morning: international working groups (content to defined by the participants)

Afternoon (4:30 PM): forum “Altra universita” (the other university we want)

Night: Concerts 

Sunday May 17^th

10:30 AM: Forum “Altrosviluppo” (alternative forms of development)

Afternoon (3:30 PM): Demonstrations and actions in Torino and “siege” of the castle where the official summit takes place.

Night: Concerts 

Monday May 18^th 

Morning: Actions against the G8

Evening: End of the Sherwood Climate Camp 

Tuesday May 19^th

Afternoon (3:00 PM): Closing demonstration against the G8 University Summit 

Block G8

Sunday May 17^th

9:00 PM: debate: common goods and movements defending the territory with the No Tav, No Dal Molin and movements against nuclear energy. 

Monday May 18^th

Morning: actions against the G8

5:00 PM: debate: global academic transformation and crisis: cognitive work next struggles

7:30 PM: drinks and presentation of Gigi Roggero latest book “The production of a living knowledge”

9:30 PM: debate: European academic struggles comparisons: Italy, France, Greece, Spain…

Tuesday May 19^th

11:00 AM: general assembly of “La Vague” ("The Wave")

3:00 PM: national demonstration against the G8 (Palazzo Nuovo, via S.Ottavio)