STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Kia ora koutou,
Late again… sorry about that! This time our excuse is that The Outlook for Someday Film Challenge closed and we have been busy watching lots of short films…. . The films included documentaries, music videos, dramas and animations. Ohhh we laughed, we cried (we ate lollies) but most of all we felt hopeful about the future. These films all send a clear message: things need to change!! The winning films will be announced in November and then all eligible entries will be available to watch on the Just Focus site.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Al Gore was in the headlines a lot last week. First a British court ruled that his Oscar-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, can be shown in schools, but pointed out that while the presentation is ‘broadly accurate’ it lacks balance and contains nine scientific errors. Then on Friday Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on raising public awareness of the threat of global warming Now there is mounting pressure for him to launch a late bid for the US presidency, but some are calling for him to be arrested! What a week!!
While opium harvests in Afghanistan have steadily increased, some think tanks and politicians, mostly in the UK, are promoting new ways of dealing with the global drugs problem. They are asking, rather than continue spending millions on eradicating Afghanistan’s poppies, why not buy them and make morphine instead? Norine MacDonald, co- founder of the Senlis Council, explains their Poppies for Medicine proposal in this Real News Network interview. Meanwhile the Afghan government has ordered the closure of the local offices of the Senlis Council, who they accuse of confusing farmers and contributing to the increase in poppy cultivation.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIONS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Take A Stand Against Poverty
Tomorrow is the 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and this year’s theme is ‘People Living in Poverty as Agents of Change’.
Stand Up and Speak Out want you to take a stand against poverty and break a world record in the hope that we can break the record of broken promises. Art of Living Foundation is organising lunchtime gatherings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. At each event there will be a 2-minute “Stand Up moment” in which a declaration is read that asks Aotearoa New Zealand’s leaders to honour the UN’s eight millennium goals.
In Auckland and Wellington you can stand up against poverty in your own community, by supporting your local cleaners as they march against poverty in their industry. More info here.
For loads of information, other ideas on how to mark this day and ways to take action against poverty check out this site - October 17.
Stand with the Burmese Protesters
When the Burmese last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands. If the world stands up and supports their struggle, this time they could win. Avaaz is targeting the dictatorship’s main backer China in a global advertising campaign and will deliver a petition to the UN secretary-general, while sending the Burmese support via radio. Show your support by signing the petition.
Support the call for an end to cluster munitions 
The NZ Cluster Munition Coalition is bringing out an expert this November to speak about the problems posed by cluster munitions. John Rodsted is an Australian photographer who has documented the humanitarian impacts of landmines and cluster munitions in some of the most war torn regions on earth.
Check out the tour locations and dates here.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Top 100 Ways Global Warming Could Change Your Life
Check out these great little film clips, Car Free Day and Buy Nothing.
The Exxon Files - this new cartoon, produced by Friends of the Earth Europe, looks at how the oil giant Exxon works to further its business interests at the expense of the planet.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
What do you think about the recent arrests of activists across the country? Charges have been laid under the Arms Act although more serious charges could be made under the Terrorist Suppression Act, an amended version of which is currently before Parliament.
Check out this radio interview with some of those involved with yesterday’s raids and tell us what you think!
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
Reel Bad Arabs
This groundbreaking documentary explores the long line of degrading images of Arabs as seen throughout cinematic history. From the earliest days of silent films to today’s biggest Hollywood blockbuster Arabs are presented as the “baddies” - bandits, submissive maidens, sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding “terrorists”. Author Dr Jack Shaheen shows how the persistence of these images over time has served to normalise prejudice toward Arabs and Arab culture while overlooking the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.
This DVD and heaps of other books, guides and great films are available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email justfocus@globaled.org.nz for info on how to borrow them.
WANNA GET MORE INVOLVED?
Want to add stuff to the next newsletter or the Events Page, or to write an article/review, or take a photo/create an image for the Just Focus website? Reply to us at info@justfocus.org.nz, it’s always great to hear from you.