G8 Research Group

Analysts with the G8 Research Group, along with hundreds of members of the international media, are working from the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Representatives from civil society groups, recognized as “Alternative Media,” are working across the road in the Allstream Centre. This would perhaps be an insignificant detail of event planning, if not for the fact that civil society is restricted by Canadian G8 organizers from access to the Direct Energy Centre. This means that civil society groups, who arrived with the intention of informing the media about their hopes and prospective on summit outcomes, have a more limited voice to the public and the G8. They are also unable to book space for official press conferences. Sue Mbaya of World Vision, who noted that Canadian officials have so far been proactive in interacting with civil society in the months preceding the Summit, described the situation as an “anti-climax.” Mbaya travelled to Toronto from South Africa and more significantly, she noted, “gave up two tickets to the World Cup!”

Interaction with the media is utilized by civil society as a strategy for G8 lobbying. This year, public recognition of civil society messaging is dependent upon journalists to take the initiative to cross the road.

International Media work at the Direct Energy Centre on the left, and civil society (Alternative Media), work at the Allstream Centre on the right.

Inside the Alternative Media centre.

The Allstream Centre.