Phew, what a day! This morning Kumi Naidoo of GCAP was speaking to us at the workshop, and I happened to be in the reception when he arrived, wearing the excact same T-shirt as he was. I took him to the conference room and got a chance to chat a little bit. He is really a down-to-earth and appoachable guy, and he seemed to be well aware of GYAN and the work we do.

He spoke to us about GCAP and the background of their campaigning (aid, trade and debt). He is a very effective speaker - he knows exactly what to emphazise, where to pause, and when to loosen up with a joke. I guess he has done the GCAP-speech so many times that he has learnt how to deliver it perfectly. He is also very good at presenting complex issues in a straight-forward manner.

The key point from his speech, except for the GCAP-message, was that it is essential to include and involve young people in the trade movement, and that the issues should be presented in a simple, not simplistic, manner. He also said that young people are not "contaminated by experience" and should therefore be given a space in all types of decision-making.

After his presentation I was supposed to interview him for the documentary, but as usual with people like Kumi he was in a rush to another meeting and had a cab waiting. He was still generous enough to give me 5 minutes, so I was able to ask him the key questions I wanted.

The next thing on the agenda was to participate in the demonstration in downtown Hong Kong organized by the Hong Kong People's Alliance, a network of civil society organizations. Before we left, we were warned that it might become violent if certain groups decided to take action. I brought the camera with me, ready to document.

Despite the warnings, the demonstration were very peaceful. Around 5,000 people participated, and it was more like a carnival or a parade through the streets. People dressed up in costumes, played music, and shouted slogans. There were lots of police around, but they never interfered, unlike stories I've heard from previous demonstrations.

At night there was a cultural event in Victoria Park, a large space (withouth grass) in the middle of Hong Kong. It was really amazing to be there. There were dances, music acts, plays, and more, from a very diverse group of people, but all still connected by the common cause, which was really inspiring to be a part of.

To top of an amazing day, our group from the workshop got up on the stage and performed an African rhythm dance. (To those who know me and my rhytms: No, I didn't participate, I taped it...). Led by Lamin from the Gambia, and accompinied by Fillipino drummers, he encouraged everyone to join the dance. In the end, the whole crowd followd Lamin's lead and danced in a circle in front of the stage. Fantastic...!

Below is a short video clip of the warm-up for the performance. Double click for video