Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sunday, November 22, 2009

GSK Recalls Vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline has recalled almost 200,000 doses of it's Arepanrix vaccine due to an alarming increase in adverse effects including deaths that may be attributed to the use of the vaccine.

Among these adverse reactions, there has been 2 deaths in Manitoba, and one in Quebec.

"It is a serious thing [vaccine] that has the potential to kill" according to Dr. Neil Rau, an infectious disease expert.

source: GlobalResearch

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Unruly 10 Year Old Girl Tazed by Police

An Arkansas Policeman was kicked in the groin by an really bad 10 yr old little girl, and he chose the sometimes-deadly and always controversial taser as the method of choice to control the situation.  This was done after the mother gave him permission to do so if needed, as she was having problems controlling her daughter.  Ozark Police Chief Jim Noggle is backing up the officer. 

"If you can't pick the kid up and take her to your car, handcuff her, then I don't think you need to be an officer," the father said, who - incidently is planning on suing for custody of the child.

http://www.4029tv.com/news/21638427/detail.html

Monday, November 16, 2009

Deadly Ukraine H1N1 strain to be tested by British scientists




With wild rumors circulating across the internet on the nature of the flu strain raging in the Ukraine, a team of British scientists having begun testing the 'super flu' that has been responsible for 189 deaths across the country.


As conspiracy theories and collusion rumors go, the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in the Ukraine provided the right amount of juice to keep the web presses running. At its peak, there were reports of suspected hemorrhagic pneumonia as the core symptom of a mysterious new virus in the country.

The Ukraine rumors caught on and were coupled with reports of overhead aerosol spraying in Kiev just prior to the outbreak and leading many to believe that the population was intentionally infected with a powerful biological agent.

The World Health Organization responded to the crisis and the resulting rumors, visiting with health officials in the Ukraine. After assessing the situation on the ground, WHO officials have now begun suggesting that anti-viral drugs be administered earlier to help prevent swine flu deaths.


Despite WHO assurances that the epidemic in the Ukraine was indeed badly-managed H1N1 swine flu, a team of British scientists is now testing samples to see if this may be the beginning of a dreaded mutation in the H1N1 virus. A more virulent mutation would be a repeat of history, as the 1918 H1N1 influenza demonstrated a disturbingly similar pattern of mild introduction.

"Unlike similar epidemics in other countries, three causes of serious viral infections came together simultaneously in Ukraine: two seasonal flus and the Californian flu," Ukraine President Yushchenko said in a television interview. "Virologists conclude that this combination of infections may produce an even more aggressive new virus as a result of mutation."

The British scientists confirmed that they do not yet have enough samples to determine the nature or strain of the Ukraine virus.

"We do not have a time scale for the results of the tests, although some preliminary results have been obtained. I cannot tell you what they are, " a spokesperson told the Daily Mail. "We did not have enough of the virus samples so we will have to grow some more before we can come to a conclusive decision about its nature." With wild rumors circulating across the internet on the nature of the flu strain raging in the Ukraine, a team of British scientists having begun testing the 'super flu' that has been responsible for 189 deaths across the country.



http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/282179

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Teen Suffers GBS after H1N1 vaccine shot

Virginia teen athlete in wheel chair after H1N1 vaccine shot



A teenage Virginia athlete is in a wheel chair now after suffering Guillain-Barre Syndrome within hours after receiving an H1N1 swine flu vaccine shot. 14-year-old Jordan McFarland developed severe headaches, muscle spasms and weakness in his legs after being injected. He will need “extensive physical therapy” to recovery, reports MSNBC. Plus, he’ll need the help of a walker for four to six weeks.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is the name given to anyone who exhibits a particular set of neurological symptoms including muscle weakness and muscle spasms. GBS is now increasingly occurring following H1N1 vaccine injections. It was diagnosed in thousands of patients following the 1976 swine flu vaccine scare, and it appears to be recurring here in 2009 as the swine flu vaccine makes it into more widespread distribution.


Health authorities, however, remain adamant that H1N1 vaccines are never the cause of GBS, and that such diagnoses are “pure coincidence.” This blatantly unscientific P.R. tactic is designed to dismiss any and all concerns over the neurological side effects of H1N1 vaccines by simply denying they exist. To date, the CDC has received reports of five additional people being diagnosed with GBS following swine flu vaccinations, but it dismisses them all as coincidence. “It’s much less than we’d expect,” says CDC official Dr. Claudia J. Vellozzi. (Which is sort of interesting all by itself, because it reveals that the CDC expects a lot more people to get GBS following vaccine injections…)


[...]


Complete article at http://www.naturalnews.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Political Cartoons for Thought


Hatchfeld - Berlin - Germany



Petar Pismestrovic - Austria



Jeremy Nell - The Times - South Africa



Nik Kowsar - The Iran News



Nik Kowsar - The Iran News
09-22-2001



Frederick Deligne - Nice - France



Cam Cardow - Canada



Dave Granlund - Massachusetts



Larry Write - Detroit



John Deering - Arkansas

Bioweapon-like Symptoms need Tamiflu?


As of Nov 10, 2009 - official reports state that in the Ukraine: Acute respiratory disorders and flu have affected over 1 million, 53,000 of these are in hospitals.  That's about 2% of Ukraine is sick, and a tenth of a percent of people need hospitalization.

It's not the skewed numbers that are the biggest problem.  The are a means to an end.  Headlines like:

Over 1 Million Sick with Mutated H1N1 in Ukraine

are far more likely to hook the reader than

1 in 1000 Ukrainians in Hospital with H1N1

The mass of confusion and hysteria is going to help make this situation worse. 

If this is H1N1 as we've been sold, then they need to change the expected-symptoms again. 

Reports of devastation of the lungs, bloody coughs, Baxter-provided illness and governement sponsered aerosol missions in the middle of the night are in full force. 

Roche has taken an order for over 600,000 doses of Tamilflu. 

Unless the Tamilflu gets there quickly, as in yesterday - that's not going to help much either. 

Exerpt from Tamiflu's own information leaflet:
“For treatment of influenza in patients 7 years of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days.”
Nevermind the other risks involved: delirium and abnormal behavior leading to injury, fatality.

Is this the 'predicted' 'H1N1' 'mutation' ?  I wonder if we can look forward to such good times as the Ukrainians.   The Americans suspect need to train for it, see here.

Canada is training as well for such a emergency:



I'm not suggesting that it's a bad idea to be prepared, but let's be honest...all is not on the up&up here.

We know what happened when London trained for subway bombing and when U.S. Air Force trained for terrorist attacks on skyscrapers using airplains as weapons.

More: http://kindlingvideo.blogspot.com/

Monday, November 9, 2009

H1 No-One?

Dispite the reported pandemic, cases of H1N1 have been very rare at Central Washington Hospital in the last month.

According to http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/,  From early October through Nov. 2, there has been 35 patients with flu-like symptoms that have been admitted to the hospital.

Plenty of flu-like symptoms, but no Swine Flu.

Tracey Kasnic, vice president of patient services at Central Washington Hospital:
“We’re seeing an overwhelming number of patients who have tested negative for the H1N1 flu virus, which does not explain why these people are so sick.  Folks under 60 don’t get overwhelming pneumonia. It’s really rare.”

Pune's Sassoon Hospital in India is reporting that one third of patients who died of suspected H1N1 are testing negative for the virus. 

In Ukraine there are reports of people very sick with blood filled lungs.  This is not the mild swine flu we've all rolled up our sleeves for innoculation against.

Chemtrails in Spruce Grove - Nov 9, 2009


Beautiful sunrise on a Monday morning.

OR IS IT?


Nov 9, 2009

7:09am
 

5 Steps out my door on the way for a Timmy's

7:10am



7:11am


This trail abovespread out by the time I got back (See next photo)
7:31am


7:42am


Incidently, while I was gone I saw one of those odd-shaped clouds sometimes attributed to days like today.



Shortly after I got home, this guy comes into view, a plume billowing behind.

7:52am

7:53am



7:55am

7:57am

7:58am


Out of the house again, oh look:

10:53am


Another,

11:10am


11:23am




11:23pm


12:04pm

Hazey

12:30pm




12:31pm



'Clouding-up' a bunch out there.

12:53pm


12:53pm


OK, that was until early afternoon.  Things clouded up and allowed me to focus at my desk and stop playing  with my camera. 



Friday, November 6, 2009

China seals off Ziketan, pneumonic plague town

The lung disease is caused by the same bacterium as bubonic plague. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is the most virulent and least common form of plague, capable of killing sufferers within 24 hours of infection. It spreads through the air and can be passed from person to person by coughing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/03/china-pneumonic-plague-ziketan
The Bubonic Plague killed millions of Europeans in the Middle Ages.

Police prepare drill for plague at school

LAKE IN THE HILLS – Citizens infected with a fictitious pneumonic plague will line up outside Lincoln Prairie Elementary School on Saturday to help test the site as a medication dispensary in case of an emergency.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department is carrying out the test as part of a grant from the McHenry County Department of Health for its emergency health plan. In case of a biological terrorist attack or widespread disease outbreak, the site would be able get medicine to the community, Lake in the Hills Chief of Patrol Services David Brey said.

“This is just a functional test of the site,” he said.
The event will use volunteers pretending to have been stricken by the plague to help test the flow of the site, from initial triage through receiving proof of being medicated.

“We picked the plague on purpose so it would have nothing to do with the swine flu,” Brey said.

The test will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Lincoln Prairie, 500 Harvest Gate, across from Lake in the Hills Village Hall.

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/11/05/r_8l0hseoxscsv0obpnsupkg/index.xml

Ukraine Sprays Mystery Aerosol Over Population

Law enforcement authorities arrested two people who spread false information about the allegedly sprayed over Kiev and other Ukrainian cities of unknown means to prevent the spread of influenza and SARS in the country.


Told the director of the Department of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine Vasyl Kvashuk during the hot line with the Office on Friday.

"According to my information, two men who engaged in spreading this false information against them had been arrested and accused of destabilizing the situation in the country in connection with the dissemination of false information" - he said, answering reporters' questions about allegedly sprayed in the night 30 to 31 October in Kiev of an unknown substance for disinfection measures.

But V. Kvashuk emphasized that such activities Ministry for Emergency Situations "does not do and nothing to do with disinfecting the streets and the air is not.

He also said that the Ministry of Emergencies, special groups, which can provide assistance to disinfect the premises and where it is necessary to combat the spread of influenza viruses.

"And if this is necessary, the Ministry of Health, I think, necessarily applies to us" - he said.


http://www.interfax.com.ua/rus/main/24012

_____________________________________________

People are tightly closed windows and doors of houses, as expected, that the city at night with helicopters will be sprinkled with Dostum, bleach, or just chemicals.
http://www.oreanda.ru/ru/news/20091102/common/popnews/article429974/
_____________________________________________

As of 8 am November 4:

30,991 patients with ARI (acute respiratory infection) - 12,430 of them Children
649 hospitalized - 317 of them children
405 with pneumonia - 94 children

According to the Department of Health in Ukraine: 733 ill health workers. Of these 213 physicians.
http://www.city-adm.lviv.ua/news/video-reports/6879-u-lvovi-trivaje-jepidemija-gripu-video-

Ihor Pokanevych, head of the WHO office in Kyiv, noted that the current pandemic is complicated to sort out because it involves three strains of flu virus: two seasonal strains [of the Brisbane] flu and the swine flu, which as a result could lead the virus to mutate into a still more virulent, new virus.
http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/51972/

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xb0o1z_alerte-ukraine-pneumonie-inconnue-c_news





Saturday, October 31, 2009

Natural Health Products under fire in Canada

Hundreds of natural health products could disappear from store shelves next spring

As of April 2010, all natural health products will need an NPN, natural product number, to be sold.


Natural Health Products: 53 Recommendations of the Standing Committee on Health


NHPs (Natural Health Products) are defined in the Regulations to include:
  • traditional medicines
  • homeopathic medicines
  • vitamins and minerals
  • herbal remedies
  • probiotics
  • amino acids
  • plant isolates
  • essential fatty acids (like Omega-3)

NHPs exclude:
  • prescription drugs
  • drugs administered by puncturing the skin
  • substances that are regulated by the Tobacco Act or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

New Brunswick pharmacist John Staples says it's "crazy" for Health Canada to apply the same standards to both pharmaceuticals and natural health products. 

"Pharmaceutical drugs are far more potent and just a slight deviation in dosage can be dangerous," said Staples, whose Moncton pharmacy Staples Drugs, has sold both types of drugs for 40 years.


"A doctor can prescribe the arthritis drug Celebrex for you, but it can also cause a heart attack," he said as an example. "With homeopathic drugs, you can take 10 times the dosage and there's no problem."
Health Canada is not allowing any "may" claims. For instance, a label cannot say the product "may" do something. In Health Canada's eyes, it either has an effect or not.

Just over 36 per cent of natural health products were rejected for licensing.


Codex Alimentarius
The primary mandate of Codex is to develop food standards for the protection of the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in food trade. The standards, guidelines and related texts developed by Codex are intended for voluntary use by governments.


Health Canada's official position on the adoption of Codex guidelines.
 
The manufacture, importation and sale of vitamin and mineral supplements and other natural health products in Canada will not be affected by the Commission's adoption of the Guidelines. (of Codex Alimentarius)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/intactivit/codex/activit/vit_min_sup-eng.php

Codex will essentially be treating all nutrients as toxins until they are licensed. Therefore, only what is expressly allowed under Codex Alimentarius will be permitted, and everything else is forbidden.


Although Canada is proclaiming that the strict Codex guidelines will not be adopted fully in Canada...
Section 1.3 of the Guidelines stipulates that they are for use only in those countries that regulate vitamin and mineral supplements as food. As Canada regulates vitamin and mineral supplements as natural health products, the Guidelines are not applicable to the Canadian regulatory system. The manufacture, importation and sale of vitamin and mineral supplements and other natural health products in Canada will not be affected by the Commission's adoption of the Guidelines. Such products will continue to be regulated in Canada by the Natural Health Products Regulations under the Canadian Food and Drugs Act.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/intactivit/codex/activit/vit_min_sup-eng.php
... once can't help but wonder if there is a bit of slight of hand in pushing through legislation under a differently name policy - equally harmonizing Canada's Food, drug and mineral guidelines with the WTO's agenda.

I doubt that the decision makers in Canada will want to be on the losing end of a trade dispute when the rules with the World Trade Organization state:  When disputes arise and countries are pulled in to WTO, the one that is Codex compliant automatically wins, regardless of the merits of its case.


To support the cause to save our NHP in Canada, visit http://www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca/.

Footnote: The European Union's Food Supplements Directive, by the way, will go into full effect in Europe on December 31, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

October 30, 2009 - Multiple H1N1 Vaccine Serious Reactions Reported in Calgary

Henry Kissinger


"First, the international financial crisis can help the creation of an international political order for a negative reason. Every country is so preoccupied with its own domestic issues; no country has a great surplus of resources that it can devote to international adventures. So, if political leadership can develop, this is a good objective circumstance. Secondly we are living in a period in which, for the first time that I know of, no major country is challenging the international system. All of the challenges to the international system come from countries that, in relation to the overall order, are relatively fringe countries or from non-state actors. So, the opportunities that we can see in developing the global patterns that are inherent in this situation are very great despite the fact that the surface knowledge is the opposite."

Dr. Henry Kissinger
Trilateral Commission
http://www.trilateral.org/AnnMtgs/PROGRAMS/09tokyopdf_folder/Kissinger.pdf

Monday, October 26, 2009

Hidden Dangers of Adjuvanted H1N1 Vaccines

Possible hidden hazards of mass vaccination against new influenza A/H1N1: have the cardiovascular risks been adequately weighed?

Programs for vaccination against the new influenza A/H1N1 targeting many hundred million citizens in Europe and the USA are to be launched in the fall of this year. The USA is planning to employ a non-adjuvanted vaccine, whereas European nations are opting for inclusion of MF9, the adjuvant contained in an alternative seasonal flu vaccine, or the related adjuvant AS03 that is contained in a recentlyeveloped H5N1 vaccine.

We draw attention to unappreciated hazards of using adjuvanted vaccine in Europe. Evidence from animal experiments in conjunction with clinical epidemiological data indicates that, quite irrespective of cause, stimulation of the immune system may accelerate atherogenesis.

[...]

Atherosclerosis is a case in point. Mobilization of innate immune components to intimal lipids possibly represents a physiological means to clear tissues of cholesterol, whose poor solubility necessitates its removal by macrophages. Clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic vessel disease ensue only when pathological late lesions evolve as the cholesterol removal machinery breaks down through overload. Lesional macrophages then cease to execute their physiological function in a quiescent manner and detrimental effects follow with all the known clinical consequences.

[...]


Atherogenesis: The process of forming atheromas, plaques in the inner lining (the intima) of arteries.  Strokes, heart attack or even death can be caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The plaque itself is a result of cholesterol problems, smoking, and high blood pressure.   

Invoking a robust inate immune response using an adjuvent can potentially over-stimulate the macrophages that are attempting to clear the fatty tissue.  This leads to inflamation of the macrophages, and ultimatly heart attack or stroke. 




Application of adjuvanted flu vaccines to individuals at risk may therefore aggravate the course of underlying atherosclerotic vessel disease with all the clinical consequences. The same may hold true for other widespread diseases that are propelled by deregulated immune mechanisms.

[...]

Safety trials conducted to date have not specifically taken these possible side effects into account, and unexpected serious adverse effects thus may follow in the wake of a general vaccination program.

If, at any stage, vaccination drives macrophages into their inflammatory state, the effects on atherosclerosis will hardly be unpredictable and acute clinical events could be precipitated. Causes might be the adjuvant or another ingredient, a combination of both, or any other inflammatory events provoked by intramuscular injection of the vaccine.

[...]


Sucharit Bhakdi - Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene
Karl Lackner - Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Hans-Wilhelm Doerr - Department of Medical Virology

Published online: 23 October 2009

Complete Article

Largest Vaccination Program in History Begins


October 26, 2009.



All canadians now have the option to get both seasonal and H1N1 vaccine available at the same time.   This is being done nation-wide, one shot in each arm. 


Soon, seasonal vaccine will be removed from immunization clinics.  If required, it will be re-introduced later.


Studies suggest that upwards of 1/3 of seniors  have a natural immunity to H1N1.  Perhaps they were previously exposed to a short lived version of the H1N1 virus. 


The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified these groups as a priority for immunization: For those who want to be given a vaccine, but do not want a needle, the nasal spray version of the anti-gen is not available in Canada, at the moment. 


The United States started vaccinating their people with MedImmune's Flumist. 
Live, attenuated intranasal vaccine (or LAIV) is sprayed into the nose.



The 2009 H1N1 LAIV does not contain thimerosal (mercury) or other preservatives.


Canada has not approved the use of FluMist.
 
Likewise, the USA has not approved the use of any adjuvent in their vaccine.  Canada, on the other hand - has approved (for the 1st time) the use of an adjuvent in a vaccine.

Canada's injectable vaccine includes thimerosal as a preservative and an adjuvent, called AS03.  This contains Squalene - which is shark liver oil.  Squalene is widely discussed as being a contributing factor for Gulf War Syndrome - via the squalene in the Anthrax vaccinations troops received. 

AS03:

DL-α-tocopherol: 11.86 milligrams/0.5mL dose
Squalene: 10.69 milligrams/0.5mL dose,
Polysorbate 80: 4.86 milligrams/0.5mL dose

The adjuvent is mixed in with the vaccine to stretch out the supply, and apparently promotes antibody production. Because this version of the vaccine is meant to be stockpiled, evidently the thimerosal is added as a preservitive. 

Canada has decided, at this point - not to answer Obama's call to join those countries who pledge to donate 10% of the county's vaccine to third world countries.   

I believe Canada likely be looking to return tens of millions of doses to GSK, but ultimatley contribute to the Global Response and donate a few.  We ordered over 50 million doses and will need maybe 15 million.  I hope Canada's kept the receipt.  If we end up with just In-Pharma credit, we'd be liable for another pandemic to supply vaccines for. In fact, according to Helen Branswell of The Canadian Press - Canadian Authorities may be in discussion with big Pharma to do just that.


Health Canada suspects 35% or more of Canadians will be sick and out of circulation due to the H1N1 virus.  Not at work, not at school. 


Most people who come into contact and contract the H1N1 virus will have mild reaction.

According to the CDC, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:
  • fever  
  • cough
  • runny nose
  • stuffy nose  
  • sore throat  
  • body aches 
  • headache  
  • chills  
  • extreme fatigue or tiredness
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • pneumonia
  • respiratory failure

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Mount Weather - Blumont, VA

Mount Weather, a mysterious underground military base carved deep inside a mountain near the sleepy rural town of Bluemont, Virginia, just 46 miles from Washington DC.

Mount Weather - also known as the Western Virginia Office of Controlled Conflict Operations:

Mount Weather is the self-sustaining underground command center for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).




Buried deep inside the earth, Mount Weather was equipped with such amenities as:


  • private apartments and dormitories
  • streets and sidewalks
  • cafeterias and hospitals
  • a water purification system, power plant and general office buildings
  • a small lake fed by fresh water from underground springs
  • its own mass transit system
  • a TV communication system





 Nine Federal departments are replicated within Mount Weather:



  • Agriculture
  • Commerce
  • Health, Education & Welfare
  • Housing & Urban Development 
  • Interior; Labor; State
  • Transportation
  • Treasury
  • As well as at least five Federal agencies:
  • Federal Communications Commission
  • Selective Service
  • Federal Power Commission
  • Civil Service Commission
  • Veterans Administration



This is not a big secret, as there is information readily available from FEMA: Mount Weather Fact Sheet









 


 
 
 
 

Obama Declares National Medical Emergency

Associated Press
October 25, 2009


Obama: national emergency for swine flu; help for hospitals to speed treatment for infected

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients.

 
Presidential National Emergency Powers
Under the powers delegated bysuch statutes,

the President may

seize property,

organize and control the means of production,

seize commodities,

assign military forces abroad,

institute martial law,

seize and control all transportation and communication,

regulate the operation of private enterprise,

restrict travel, and, in a variety of ways,

control the lives of UnitedStates citizens.
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/98-505.pdf
I could be wrong...
but I think there's room to interpret this recent weekend signing of a proclamation of emergency will do more than make hospitals more accessible.

Friday, October 23, 2009

A New Path for World Development






The Club of Rome Programme on
"A New Path for World Development"

It is clear that the present path of world development is not sustainable in the longer term, even if we recognise the enormous potentials of the market and of technological innovation. New ideas and strategies will be needed to ensure that improved living conditions and opportunities for a growing population across the world can be reconciled with the conservation of a viable climate and of the fragile ecosystems on which all life depends. A new vision and path for world development must be conceived and adopted if humanity is to surmount the challenges ahead.

In response to this intellectual and practical challenge, the Club of Rome will undertake a three year programme on "A New Path for World Development" so as to achieve a better understanding of the complex challenges which confront the modern world and to lay solid foundations for the action which must be taken to improve the prospects for peace and progress.

The Programme will not only engage decision makers and experts and provide them with feasible proposals for action but will also engage with the public through a variety of channels. It will be in part, an "open source" programme. It will undertake only a limited amount of original research, drawing on the wide array of available information and research in progress. It will be implemented in close collaboration with partner organizations, providing a framework through which their ideas and contributions can be integrated. This will increase the credibility and impact of the efforts of the Club itself.

The Programme will focus on five "clusters" of related issues within the overall conceptual framework of A New Path for World Development:



1.Environment and Resources: This cluster relates climate change, peak oil, ecosystems and water. Radical and rapid social and economic transformations will be needed to avert runaway climate change and ecological breakdown;

2. Globalisation: This cluster relates interdependence, distribution of wealth and income, demographic change, employment, trade and finance. Rising inequalities and imbalances associated with the present path of globalisation risk the breakdown of the world economic and financial systems;

3. World Development: This cluster relates sustainable development, demographic growth, poverty, environmental stress, food production, health and employment. The scandal of abiding poverty, deprivation, inequity and exclusion in a wealthy world must be corrected;

4. Social Transformation: This cluster relates social change, gender equity, values and ethics, religion and spirituality, culture, identity and behaviour. The values and behaviour on which the present path of world development is based must change if peace and progress are to be preserved within the tightening human and environmental limits;

5. Peace and Security: This cluster relates justice, democracy, governance, solidarity, security and peace. The present path of world development risks alienation, polarization, violence and conflict; the preservation of peace is vital in itself but is also a precondition for progress and for the resolution of the issues which threaten the future.

Within each of these clusters, the issues are strongly linked: thus each group constitutes a coherent and manageable field for analysis. The links between the clusters will be accounted for as the programme proceeds, within the overall integrating framework of A New Path for World Development.

The Club will convene five small high-level expert meetings successively over the three year period, 2008 - 2010, one on each of the clusters of issues identified above. Each meeting should produce a clear statement on the issues, risks and opportunities ahead with an outline of the principal strategies and measures required in response. As the Programme proceeds, the insights and knowledge gained from each meeting will provide clear perspectives of constraints and opportunities as the context for the next meeting. By recognizing such linkages, the knowledge acquired will be cumulative and will produce innovative insights as the Programme proceeds.

In relation to each cluster of issues, a private, web-based research network will be established through which the participants in the expert meetings, together with additional experts, can carry on a process of dialogue and research to develop a deeper understanding of the issues and to elaborate specific recommendations and proposals.

Each of these five clusters of issues will be the focus of a specific area of information and analysis on the Club of Rome website. As the analysis proceeds and knowledge increases, each area will accumulate research results, a strengthening data base, a deepening understanding of the issues and their complex interconnectedness and a growing number of proposals for integrated strategy and action.


Systems Integration

As work proceeds on the five clusters, a parallel effort will focus on developing a better conceptual and practical understanding of the world systems within which they are linked and embedded. This will help to understand the linkages between trends, issues and actions and to identify the drivers of global change. The Programme will in this way recognize the immense complexity of world affairs.

A dedicated research network will focus on the issue of systems integration, including systems thinking and systems linkages and systems dynamics modelling. These networks will be supported by the Secretariat and accessed through the Club's website.

In late 2010 it is planned that the concluding "International Forum of the Club of Rome" will be held to integrate the final outputs of the expert meetings, of the research networks and of the related activities by all the elements of the Club and its partner organizations, leading to coherent conclusions and recommendations and to a major Final Report.
Contact person: Robert Hoffman, 34 Hereford Place, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 3S5, Canada
Tel.: +1 (613) 232 5613

US Association for the Club of Rome
President: Anitra Thorhaug 1359 SW 22 TerraceMiami, FL, 33145, USA
Tel.: +1 (305) 858 0014Fax: +1 (305) 858 6697