Acknowledgements

Ripple in Still Water: Reflections by Activists on Local- and National-Level Work on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was written by Dana Buhl, Director of Special Projects, and edited by Ann Blyberg, Executive Director, of the International Human Rights Internship Program (IHRIP), of the Institute of International Education. It is based on extensive research on economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights and on the work of local-, national- and international-level organizations on these rights. Much of the material in this publication draws directly on interviews with local, national and international organizations, written materials provided by these organizations about their work, and discussions held at the International Workshop on National-Level Activism in Economic, Social and Cultural Rights organized by IHRIP and hosted by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) in July 1996 in Chiangmai, Thailand. In addition, there are many organizations and individuals who did not participate in the workshop, but provided information and insight about their work that was invaluable to the development of this resource. The research for, writing and distribution of Ripple in Still Water and the sponsorship of the International Workshop was made possible by a grant from the Ford Foundation. IHRIP also deeply appreciates the months of hard work and excellent logistical arrangements made by Forum-Asia in hosting the International Workshop in Thailand.

IHRIP is particularly grateful for the very fine cooperation and collaboration of the participants in the International Workshop. This publication could not have been produced without their willingness to share their unique experiences and insights, and invest valuable time and energy. In addition, we greatly appreciate the generosity of the many individuals and organizations who did not participate in the workshop, but contributed their thinking and perspective with us. At the same time, while the views expressed in the document reflect this broad range of experience, they do not necessarily represent the perspective of any individual workshop participant, the Institute of International Education or the Ford Foundation.

Appendix I is a list of the workshop participants and contact information for them. Questions and comments about particular aspects of ESC rights activism or about this publication may be addressed directly to a participant or to:

Ms. Dana Buhl Director, Special Projects International Human Rights Internship Program Institute of International Education 1400 K Street, N.W., Suite 650 Washington, D.C. 20005 U.S.A.

tel: (1 202) 326 7725 fax: (1 202) 326 7763 E-mail: [email protected]

The Great Tablecloth

Let us sit down soon to eat with all those who haven't eaten, let us spread great tablecloths, put salt in the lakes of the world, set up planetary bakeries, tables with strawberries in snow, And a plate like the moon itself from which we will all eat.

For now I ask no more than the justice of eating.

Excerpt from the poem by Pablo Neruda Translation � Alastair Reid