Phone Link Up Report The ANN Phone Link Up has been functioning well this year to keep Network members in touch and thinking about the development of the ANN. Yay - the ANN Phone Link Up! For all of you who missed out this is what happened! We shared our feelings and then shared our brilliant thinking about structural oppression in the Network. We focussed on processes to move the discussion forward. We were participating from Victoria, NSW, SA, QLD, NT and WA - pretty cool spread eh? Brenda Roy from Perth: We need to hear why people think there is a problem. Let's hear especially from those for whom it is a big deal. Let them talk about why its important to them. However not in discussion form - just share and listen. Perhaps people with one view could also argue the opposite view - "stand in the others shoes!" Anita McKone from Victoria thinks that it should be made clear that there are no expected outcomes so that there is no pressure to make a decision. People with strong views should be listened to. She would like to see small group work where there is a chance to work through feelings. Margaret Pestorius from Cairns thinks that debate and argument are a waste of time. She'd like people to be much clearer about what's feelings and what's their thinking of a good way forward. She suggests a process of sharing feelings (fears, anger grief) in small groups followed by sessions in which we just think out loud and be heard (also in groups much smaller than the large group), with no arguing, no judging, no agreeing/disagreeing, not even refering to what has already been said. Robin Manley from Alice Springs suggested we actively explore the issues involved in gender oppression so that we can get a good look at the effects of behaviours and a handle on how to change behaviours. Discussion is not always the best way to do this. We could try other processes - cultural action techniques for example. She will write something explaining this further. Bryan Law from Nth Queensland said that we should have small groups work without any oppositional debate. He proposed a men's gathering for two days prior perhaps with an outside facilitator from the men's movement. We thinks that we must talk clearly about issues of safety and boundaries and perhaps have someone on hand as a counselling resource. Col Smith from Adelaide (Singa) thought that we don't need a goal of having "to resolve the issue" - just keep plugging away at clearer understanding. Small groups of mixed gender would be essential. He supported exploring cultural action techniques. He wants to see feelings and experiences acknowleged. There seemed to be a general consensus around: * keeping the discussion grounded in personal views/experience of oppression, "How it looks to me". * using lots of small group and performance/cultural action to work through people's material, with lots of listening and no oppositional debating. * acknowledging and affirming that we're only making one step forward at this Gathering, with no expectations of coming to a final conclusion.