Alyansa Tigil Mina held its general assembly (GA) on Jaunary 20-21, 2010 at the PhilDHRRA Partnership Center, Quezon City.

The GA was attended by ATM members, partners and allies from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the United Kingdom. Over 70 participants made this event a success. ATM wish to thank all the participants and organizers who came and shared insightful inputs that helped hone ATM's campaign. We look forward to 2010 as a stronger network with all your continued partnership and support. Photo by Roslyn Arayata, ATM

"If you want to cultivate peace, protect Creation," says Pope Benedict XVI on 2010 World Day of Peace. He further stressed that 'A special role in raising awareness and in formation belongs to the different groups present in civil society and to the non-governmental organizations which work with determination and generosity for the spread of ecological responsibility, responsibility which should be ever more deeply anchored in respect for “human ecology”. Photo from L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters.

Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) commends the ingenious work of James Cameron and the whole cast and crew of the movie Avatar. This sci-fi (science-fiction) movie depicts the strong bond between lives of the indigenous peoples (IPs) and their homeland. It vividly demonstrates the essence of "ang lupa ay buhay, ang buhay ay lupa" (land is life and life is land), wherein the economic, cultural and spiritual evolution and sustainability of communities depend on the healthy state of their environment.

Avatar also presents the truth of how resource rich communities face grave danger from the exploitation and destruction brought by extractive industries. It presents how resources are being valued differently by people. This movie highlights the meaning of "environment" that goes beyond its economic worth.

ATM highly recommends this movie for all ages and cultures.