CLIENTS
These are our recent clients:
Government of Ireland:
Briefings on GM-free food and farming
Since June 2007 Global Vision has collaborated with the Department of Food and Agriculture on its strategy to declare the island of Ireland as a GMO-free zone, and is currently preparing a related briefing for the Joint Parliamentary Commitee on Food and Agriculture.
European Parliament Independence / Democracy Group:
Briefing on the health risks of GM food
June 2007: Global Vision organised an expert briefing on the health risks of GM food at the European Parliament Office in Dublin for the European Parliament Independence / Democracy Group. Speakers included Dr. Ricarda Steinbrecher of EcoNexus, Genetic Roulette author Jeffrey Smith of the US Institute for Responsible Technology, Cathy Sinnott MEP, and Ireland's Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent T.D., who used the event to announce the Government's new policy goal to declare the island of Ireland as a GMO-free zone. The event was co-sponsored by Glenisk, Slow Food Ireland, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, and the Irish Doctors Environmental Association.
IMCOPA Europe SA:
Briefing on GM-free animal feed
May 2007: Global Vision organised a private meeting between Jochen Koester, the head of the European branch of IMCOPA (Brazil's largest exporter of certified non-GMO soya products) and official representatives of the Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association, and the Northern Ireland branch of the UK National Beef Association to learn about the availability of certified non-GMO soya meal for animal feed. The briefing was co-sponsored by BrookLodge & Wells Spa Hotel.
Greenpeace International:
Exposé of illegal GM animal feed entering the EU through Dublin port
April 2007: Global Vision collaborated with Greenpeace International to expose a ship unloading a large cargo of unapproved GM maize which illegally entered the European market through the ports of Dublin and Rotterdam. This lead to a temporary EU ban on animal feed imports from the USA. For details see www.gmfreeireland.org/pakrac/.
An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland:
Green Ireland Conference
June 2006: Global Vision and An Taisce co-hosted this international conference on green branding for farming, food and eco-tourism at Kilkenny Castle. Keynote speakers included Right Livelihood Award winner Vandana Shiva of the India-based Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology and the International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture, Right Livelihood Award winner Percy Schmeiser (Canada), The Future of Food film director Deborah Koons Garcia (USA) and Benny Haerlin of the Foundation on Future Farming and Save Our Seeds (Germany). These and other delegates from America, Asia and Europe gave a strong warning that Ireland's world famous clean green image – which provides a competitive advantage for our food, farm, and tourism industries – would soon be lost if the Irish government and the Irish Farmers Association fail to resist pressure from the WTO and the European Commission to force the release of patented genetically modified (GM) animal feed, seeds, crops, trees, fish and livestock here. The event provided a historic opportunity for Irish policy makers and stakeholders to meet with key international experts to explore our democratic participation, legal rights and responsibilities for the future of food and farming ‚ and Ireland's brand recognition in a globalising world. The conference proceedings are available online at www.gmfreeireland.org/conference
JOL:
Global Park Qatar
In 2004 Global Vision designed the sustainability module of a feasibility study for a €500m Doha-based regional sustainability showcase / learning centre to foster civil society in the Gulf of Arabia region. The project was developed for Journey of Light Ltd / Global Park Qatar, in collaboration with the Qatar Ministry of Finance and DBA Project Design Management, a London-based management consultancy specialising in the definition, development and delivery of all aspects of museum, gallery, exhibition and cultural projects. Featuring high performance architecture, educational pavilions, hotels, a conference centre and regional networking, the project was cancelled due to the Iraq war.
