By Shani Tager | Six Degrees Campaign

The headline screamed "Professional protestors" and the article concluded with "well practiced fringe activists engaging in fear mongering." Even though I wasn’t surprised, I couldn't help but groan.

 An unexpectedly large audience turned up for the presentation by Ian Fry, “Between Durban and Rio”. It was great to see so many students from both UQ and other Brisbane universities, as well as representatives of a wide range of environmental and eco-justice NGOs.

All of the respondents added a special quality and flavour to the interaction with Ian and the general discussion. They were Siliga Aoga, a Brisbane-based Tuvaluan previously working with UN ESACP, Sean Kelly, regional co-ordinator for the AYCC in Queensland, and Neil Davidson who focuses on whole system design and has been involved in a project on Collaboration around Climate Change, Carrying Capacity and Cultural Cohesion.
One of the highlights of Ian’s presentation was the illustration of challenges Small Island States have to face when trying to negotiate their interests in international forums with “big power” interests, including those of neighbouring Australia. In follow up conversations, new ideas emerged for how the Climate Frontlines collective might engage in new advocacy initiatives.