Monthly Archives: February 2012

Bottled Life: Nestle’s Business With Water – Advance preview screenings and discussion

Image

Daytime Screening:

Tuesday, February 28 (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

Telus Building Room 217/219

Corner of 111 Street and 87 Avenue, U of A Campus

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/112816032177118/

 

Evening screening:

Wednesday, February 29 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)

Education Centre South Room 129

113 Street and 87 Avenue, U of A Campus

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/240288219388074/

 

Since the University of Alberta announced it will award an honorary degree to Nestlé Chair Peter Brabeck-Letmathe on March 1, hundreds of students, professors, alumni and concerned citizens around the world have contacted the University to express their outrage.

Is Peter Brabeck-Letmathe a leader in “the preservation, distribution and management of one of humanity’s most vital resources: water” as the University claims? Join us for a special advance screening of the brand new film Bottled Life, which explores Nestle’s global business with water and the impacts Nestlé is having on communities around the world.

Presented by the U of A Chapter of the Council of Canadians as part of Solidarity Week at the U of A. For details about other Solidarity Week events, visit solidarityweek.wordpress.com.

Be sure to join us on March 1 to say no to an honorary degree for Nestlé: https://www.facebook.com/events/251952194884972/

You can also send a message to University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera and Chancellor Linda Hughes here:

http://canadians.org/action/2012/nestle.html

 

About Bottled Life:

Do you know how to turn ordinary water into a billion-dollar business? In Switzerland there’s a company which has developed the art to perfection – Nestlé. This company dominates the global business in bottled water.

Swiss journalist Res Gehringer has investigated this money-making phenomena. Nestlé refused to cooperate, on the pretext that it was “the wrong film at the wrong time”. So Gehringer went on a journey of exploration, researching the story in the USA, Nigeria and Pakistan. His journey into the world of bottled water reveals the schemes and strategies of the most powerful food and beverage company on our planet.

Bottled Life focuses a critical spotlight on Nestlé’s global expansion strategy in the business of bottled water. In the United States and Europe, the company sells mainly spring water with a designation of origin. In developing countries, however, the corporation pursues another concept – namely Nestlé Pure Life. This product is purified groundwater, enriched with a Nestlé mixture of minerals. Nestlé Pure Life was the brainchild of Peter Brabeck, a Nestlé man almost all his life, a former CEO and currently Chairman of the Board. Today Nestlé Pure Life is the world’s top-selling brand of bottled water.

Nestlé places great priority on promoting its image. And when it comes to water, it’s Peter Brabeck in particular who does the promoting. As CEO – and even more so after becoming Chairman of the Board in 2005 – he developed a communications strategy which operates under such noble pretences as “Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Creating Shared Value.” A preached philosophy – but a practised one

In researching this film, journalist Res Gehriger comes to a sad and sobering conclusion. It is that of a company intent on amassing resource rights worldwide. With the aim of dominating the global water market of the future.

Learn more and watch the trailer here: http://www.bottledlifefilm.com

Tell the U of A that Nestlé Chair Peter Brabeck-Letmathe doesn’t deserve an honorary degree

According to the U of A, the degrees are intended to honour those who have contributed to “the preservation, distribution and management of one of humanity’s most vital resources: water”. From its ongoing violations of the International Conv. on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, to its efforts to privatize the world’s water resources for its own profit, Nestle does not reflect what I feel is the spirit of the honorary degree program. Contact the University President and Chancellor if you feel the same way.

New Volunteers Meeting

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

5:00pm-6:30pm

University of Alberta, Rutherford Library South, 2-01B

 

If you have ever been interested in activism or advocacy work of any kind, why not check us out? We’re a small group looking for people who care to join us. No experience is necessary, and you don’t have to be a student.

At this meeting we will talk about the Council of Canadians and how you can take part – we’re flexible and able to support projects that you’re passionate about. We will also talk about some of our current work and how you can help out.

Feel free to email us if you can’t make this meeting and are interested in getting involved.

You can RSVP to the event on facebook here.