W e lc o m e to t he 2 0 1 1

Celebrating the birth of the world’s first Green party. Delivered by Ingrid Betancourt.

GreenOration

Born in Colombia and educated in France, Ingrid Betancourt returned

to Colombia in 1989 to pursue politics, following in the steps of her parents Gabriel Betancourt and Yolanda Pulecio.

In 1994 she was elected on an anti-corruption platform and launched Oxigeno Verde (the Green Oxygen Party) – just four years later she was elected to the Senate with more votes than any other candidate.

Before launching her campaign for president in 2001 she delivered an inspirational speech at the Global Greens conference in Canberra that brought some 800 delegates to their feet for a standing ovation.

But it was while campaigning for the Colombian Presidency in 2002 that she was kidnapped by FARC guerillas and held hostage for 6½ years.

She tried to escape several times but her freedom finally came in 2008 in a dramatic rescue by the Colombian army that saw the guerillas duped and Ingrid flown into the arms of her family.

Ingrid’s memoir of her experience, Even Silence Has an End, was released in 2010 and has since garnered critical and popular acclaim.

Since her release she has campaigned to free the remaining hostages

held by the FARC and helped those released readjust to

their new lives.

Ingrid Betancourt, 2011 Green Orator

Green Oration 2011

This event has been organised by the Tasmanian Greens

Even silence has an endIngrid Betancourt’s account of being held captive for more than six years by guerillas in the Colombian jungle was released in Australia in 2010.

Rather than dwelling on the appalling conditions she was kept in, much of the book is focused on the relationships that developed between the hostages and with their jailers, as well as meditating on her responses to the constant challenges thrown her way.

Ingrid’s writing is very much a self-examination and exploration of the events and experiences she endured during captivity. No doubt it’s been an important step on her road to recovery, but it’s also a fascinating glimpse into a world that few people would want to experience first hand.

The French campaigned for Ingrid’s release. Photo: Neno°, flickr

“The first thing we must defeat is our scepticism. Do not let us think of what we have not achieved, but of what we can do and what we must achieve.”– Ingrid Betancourt, 2001

Hosted by the Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob BrownAs people are taking their seats Christopher Luke will play a selection of music on the Hobart Town Hall’s 141-year-old great organ.

Senator Bob Brown, host – introduction.

Birth of the World’s first Greens Party – documentary film (6 mins).

Senator Brown to introduce this year’s Green Orator, Ingrid Betancourt.

The Green Oration – by Ingrid Betancourt.

Following the oration please visit the Greens information table or purchase a copy of Ingrid’s recent memoir, Even Silence Has an End, from the Fullers Bookshop table in the foyer.

Tonight’s events

2011www.greenoration.com.au

Bob Brown campaigning for Ingrid Betancourt in Bogota, 2002.

Thanks to: Ingrid Betancourt, Jaki Arthur, Kerry Glencorse, Chip Rolley, John Sampson, Karen Brown, Cate Weate, Nick Crawford, Christopher Luke, Paul Bynon, Stephenie Calahan and John Gibson (Plants of Tasmania).

world’s first GreensThe world’s first Green party, the

United Tasmania Group (UTG), was formed in Hobart Town Hall on 23 March, 1972.

Prompted by the impending loss of Lake Pedder, people flooded into the Town Hall to vent their frustration.

Chair and future president of the UTG Dick Jones (right) put up a motion to form the new political party, only to face uproar when Hydro-Electric Commission workers tried to shout it down.

Dick insisted on a show of hands, the vote was taken, and the rest is history.

To commemorate this historic event and honour the vision shown by the pioneers of today’s Green movement, national and international speakers will appear in Hobart Town Hall to celebrate the world’s first Greens meeting and deliver this Green Oration.

The inaugural Green Oration was delivered at the Hobart Town Hall on

23 October 2010 by world renowned scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster Dr David Suzuki.

STAY IN TOUCH Email us at oration@tas.greens.org.au or visit www.greenoration.com.au.

The battle to save Lake Pedder inspired the formation of the world’s first Green party. Photo: David Neilson