I've been curious about what groups (particularly those with broad
membership?) have been specifically working on response and "outreach"
education in different countries and areas--maybe it would be useful if
people summarize what they know? (Perhaps changing the subject line to
reflect the country you're reporting on?)
In the US one membership organization working on media communication
and response is NCH (National Center for Homeopathy).
Yesterday I got a "membership renewal" letter from them, which states
in part:
"Do you know Edzard Ernst, Simon Singh or James Randi? They are part
of a well organized international effort to limit access to and
ultimately destroy homeopathy.
"They are well schooled in communications. They use very sophisticated
tactics and tools. They are well funded. And they knowingly traffic
in false information. What follows are recent published comments by
these men: [snipped for brevity; we all know their off-key songs]
"Imagine. The last ten years have witnessed well documented advances
in the fields of material science, physics and chemistry from work done
by top scientists at Penn State University, the University of
Washington, the University of Arizona, Stanford and other leading
academic institutions on the topic of water structure an homeopathic
remedies. Basic science now unequivocally supports the plausibility of
homeopathy. Regardless of that fact, homeopathy's enemies still get
away with the claim that "... if homeopathy is correct, much of
physics, chemistry and pharmacology must be incorrect." Incredible.
"And despite hundreds of positive high quality pre-clinical and
clinical studies on homeopathy, published in journals like
Rheumatology, Archives of Internal Medicine, International Journal of
Neuroscience and Pediatrics--Ernst, Randi, Singh and their cohorts
still get attention for their claims that homeopathy is a sham.
How is it possible that despite *the facts* about homeopathy, its
detractors are effectively limiting access to it throughout the US and
Europe?
The homeopathic community must fight back, and thanks to your
membership dollars, the National Center for Homeopathy is at the
forefront of an international effort to do just that.
"From organizing an historic international symposium on homeopathy at
the University of Connecticut School of Medicine to coordinating the
international responses to our adversaries in the mainstream media, to
developing partnerships with very large consumer groups like the
Organic Consumers Association and Citizens for Health--the National
Center for Homeopathy is working to protect homeopathy and expand its
use.
"...[mentions some upcoming projects, and that membership benefits
include:]
- Our great holistic healthcare magazine Homeopathy Today
- The Members' Online Forum--with access to Chats with some of the
world's leading homeopaths, as well as Homeopathy Today online,
Remedies and symptoms Data base and more
- The Annual NCH Practitioner Directory and Resource Directory
- Annual Conference
- Bi-monthly NCH e-Newsletter"
Then the reminder to renew. (Not that *I* ever need reminders of
anything, hah!
)I've kept up my membership for I think about 15 years now, mostly
because I think they're doing excellent work and want to support them.
(And keep wishing I could make time to *read* the publication more
often--for years I read it cover-to-cover first thing.) It's a nice
mix of cases, news, clinical information and editorials. It's geared
to be "entry level"--accessible to anyone with interest--but also
there's much of interest to practitioners.
Er, no, I'm not on the payroll, not getting any kickbacks.
But I think that the homeopathy membership organizations are probably
the ones with the greatest (?) potential to speak out for us, esp. if
more of us can take part, both with our energy, participation, ideas,
and with our financial support!
I would love to hear about other organizations that are speaking out
for us. And I encourage everyone who cares, to choose an organization
(or more) active in their own geographical area (or heck, in any area
of your choice!), and give them your support!!! Be a member,
volunteer, donate, whatever we can do.
Thanks,
Shannon