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Mai-Not Information
History of Mai-Not
In 1997 the MAI-NOT forum, predecessor of the current Mai-Not, began to exchange information and organize civic action against a proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI), then under negotiation between members of the OECD.
There are many links to web-based information about the MAI. A one-page summary of the proposed agreement and its likely impact on civil society, published early in 1997, is still available on the Web.
The MAI is now defunct, but the initiators and proponents are managing to get its main clauses implemented under diverse auspices (WTO and multi- or bilateral trade agreements).
The exchange of information that started with the MAI-NOT forum has continued in the Mai-Not discussion group. It has evolved and broadened in scope to embrace a wider range of topics, focusing on the effects of the current neo-classical or neo-conservative economic model and its underlying agendas, and its effects on nature, the people and society..
The change from MAI-NOT to Mai-Not took place in the middle of 2004 when the MAI-NOT list administrator decided to withdraw. After a period of negotiations, the Networking for a Common Future in Sustainability Society (NCFS) agreed to take over.
Profile of Mai-Not
The purpose of Mai-Not, as now hosted and managed by the NCFS, remains one of critically examining all origins, manifestations and consequences of neo-liberal and neo-conservative economics.
Participants share books, papers and articles (published in many countries) that are relevant and current, and discuss these documents and other information related to the group’s purpose.
The scope of the conversation is global, although local issues that relate to or illustrate world wide problems may be included.
Ground rules
Posters remain responsible for the contents and format of their posts in all circumstances.
The sources and authors of all articles, books and papers must be identified and their URLs provided by the posters.
Messages from another group should not be posted without the permission of the author.
Participants who reproduce articles or papers integrally or in large parts are expected to ensure that they have due permission from the copyright holders to do it. Often it is enough to share a relevant article merely by quoting the URL and writing a (usually brief) commentary.
Discussion threads are indicated by subject lines which should be preserved in subsequent comment. However, if comment strays far from the original post, the change should be flagged as a guide – e.g. “Subject: Australian wheat scandal (was Trade with dictators)”.
Posters engaging in ongoing discussion of a thread should restrict repetition of previous discussion to what specifically is being responded to. Lengthy line-by-line refutations of prior posts should be avoided.
Mai-Not is "auto-moderated" in that no post submitted by a registered participant will be filtered out, with a few exceptions: personal attacks, foul language, spam and plainly commercial postings. Other moderation criteria may be defined from time to time by consultation among participants.
Posts from non-subscribers will go direct to the management team, who will pass them on to the group if they consider them relevant. Non-subscribers sending posts of value and interest, or non-subscribers otherwise believed by subscribers to be potentially interested participants, will be invited to join the group.
Multi-posting to lists of recipients comprising more than 20 addressees should be avoided as much as possible
Messages intended for only one or two participants should be sent to them and not to the group.
Participants should be familiar enough with computer-use to navigate on the Web, make Web and Internet searches, etc. Posts must be submitted in text format or in HTML but attachments are permitted in any format including pdf, spreadsheets, images and videos. [Participants should set their mailer to receive HTML messages as such or use software to translate HTML messages into text. Mailers which can receive HTML include Eudora (free if you accept discrete ads in a small corner box), Outlook, Outlook express, or (for Linux systems) Mozilla mail or Ximian Evolution.]
Please proofread messages for typographical and spelling errors before sending.
Participants are welcome to propose amendments, to these guidelines and improvements to the style and language used in the discussion. To that effect they can e-mail their comments.
Their proposals will be discussed among participants in the group and guidelines amended accordingly
There is no subscription charge, but contributions towards NCFS’ cost of hosting the list are always welcome. Less than 40 cents a week, or Can$20 a year, per head would fully cover costs. Contributions can be sent by personal or bank cheque to Mr Dee Shooligin, Treasurer, NCFS, 1896 Watson Street, Victoria, BC V8R 6N6, Canada.
Position of Mai-Not in the NCFS operations
Mai-Not is one of several complementary discussion groups hosted by the NCFS.
To see the collection of prior postings to the list,
visit the Mai-not
Archives.
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