Among the specialist and celebrated Speakers at the Forum, there are a number of sessions that may be of particular interest this year.

Wednesday - Focus on Climate Change

Wednesday will see Greenpeace return to the Forum with their campaign on Climate Change.

Thursday - Focus on Corporate Accountability & Human Rights
Craig Murray, ex-British Ambassador to Uzbekistan will be speaking on the War on Terror, from an insiders view from the Foreign Office revealing the compromises our government makes with human rights in the name of the War on Terror. Craig was recalled for his principled stand against torture. Craig will be speaking from 5.00 pm – 6.30 pm. The Any Green Questions panel, later, at 7 pm will again feature Craig and Jenny Jones, Green Party GLA member and other observers of civil rights.

Friday - Focus on Energy
Paul Allen, Director of the Centre for Alternative Technology will be speaking on the impact on our society and economy of ‘Peak Oil’, from 2 – 3.30 pm. At 5.00 pm a panel consisting of Greenpeace, Ecotricity and the Green Party’s’ Jenny Jones, GLA member and ex-Deputy Mayor of London, will discuss the possibilities of implementing Decentralised Energy. This is a real, practical and developing programme.

Any Green Questions fill feature a top panel of influential activists and policy makers including Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, Zac Goldsmith, editor of the Ecologist and environmental advisor to David Cameron; Roger Higman, veteran senior campaigner from Friends of the Earth and Paul Allen from CAT. Probably one of the most interesting events of the BGG!

Saturday - Focus on Green Futures
Saturday considers Green Futures with a variety of approaches to future visions. Of particular note is Olaf from Corporate Watch, who will discuss the perils of nanotechnology from 2 – 3.30 pm. This is followed at 3.30 pm by the Women’s’ Environmental Network and their theme of women in environmental decision making.

Sunday - Communities, Travellers, Directors Question Time and The Future of Festivals
Sunday has notable features, with Mark Purdey, farmer and expert on organo-phosphates and BSE will reveal the very real dangers of military microwave communications for the communities living near them. From 2.00 – 3.30 pm.

A ‘Travellers Moot’ will take place between 3.30 – 5.00 pm, which welcomes various Travellers groups to discuss their differences and establish their common ground

There will also be the traditional opportunity to put question to BGG Directors, although at this point we cannot guarantee which due to operational needs, between 5 – 6.30 pm. So please bring comments, questions, criticisms and congratulations to this session.

The final session on Sunday, Festival Eyes, will be a panel of festival organisers and commentators, including Festival Eye and organisers of Earthwise and BGG, with an open discussion about the future of alternative festivals in Britain, in the context of increasing regulation and costs. This season has already seen a number of festivals encounter financial difficulties. What are the new economics of events? Are festival goers changing and do festivals need to change too? Does the BGG? Will increasing regulation and costs leave only small camps or corporate festivals standing? Come along and give the Forum the benefit of your views and experiences.

Steve Muggeridge
Green Forum Coordinator