MOVING FORWARD

Invitational Conference on Drug User Activism

International Drug User Day
2003, October 31st/November 1st
Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish Drug Users Union – BrugerForeningen and the Dutch National Interest Group of Drug Users – Landelijk Steunpunt Druggebruikers sponsor “Moving Forward” a meeting on drug user activism.

The gathering was to mark both the International Drug User Day and the 10th Anniversary of BrugerForeningen.

Announcement. PowerPoint Announcement describing the conference and International Drug User Day.

First Day

Program

Training Session

Personal Communication
Stan Ritzer – Nederland

Improving your personal appearence and communication skills.

Participants will receive personal one on one assistance on ways to improve their appearance. Discussion regarding the reasons that activists need to consider their appearance and personal presentation skills.

Workshops

Professionalising
Alan Joyce, Methadone Alliance
U.K.

Certified user advokates and experienced bystanders.

The process of professionalizing advocacy and training advocates. This workshop discusses the need to create a movement that is professional and the training necessary to develop professional advocates.

Networking
Tommy Larkin, USCE
Ireland

How to develop and sustain a network of allies?

Developing a network of supporters is important in affecting drug policy and systems advocacy. Maintaining the network requires organizing skills and leadership to create
a group of savy advocates and supporters.

Digital Age
Ossi Viljakakainen
Finland
Eliot Albert, Methadone Alliance
U.K.

Using Internet to find info related to drugs and drug users.

A workshop designed to demonstrate software and strategies to make the internet a powerful advocacy tool.

Smoozing in Denmark. A photo album of the conference.

Second Day

International Drug User Day

• Early Afternoon Activities

  Socializing and lunch buffet at BF-house
  Visit to Memorial Site for Deceased Drug Users

  A tree was planted by willing hands of user activists from each nation gathered followed by a minute of silence.

• Evening Activities

  Tour at Christiania
  Gala-dinner at restaurant Spiseloppen in Christiania

• Social party at BrugerForeningen

Third Day

A day of rest.

Fourth Day

BrugerForeningen’s 10th Anniversary

• Photo Album of the Celebration

• A Tour of BrugerForeningen

• BF’s Syringe Patrol

Reports

• Woods. J. New Impressions. 1 December 2003. A pdf file of photos and report by Joycelyn Woods.

  Download PDF File 

• Lotsof, H. A Personal Report to NAMA’s Chapters and Affiliates. 27 November 2003.