STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Will Watterson, our intrepid Just Focus trainer, has been in Nelson this week running workshops with the YMCA, the Nelson Youth Workers Collective, and Whenua Iti Outdoors Centre in Motueka. It’s been a great opportunity to let young people in the area know about Just Focus and what it has to offer. It also looks like Nelson might be keen to host its own huge Media that Matters event next year! If you’re in Nelson and are keen to be involved, flick Will an email at will@justfocus.org.nz
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
NZ Election Date now set!
Democracy has a date, and it’s November 8th! Only eight weeks to go! If you’re not registered (or you’re not sure, or you want to vote from overseas), you can sort that out here. Oh, and make sure your friends vote, too! If you are under 18 you can still have your say! Check out the Elections website for some ideas about how.
Power sharing in Zimbabwe
After months of violent conflict, unfathomable inflation and political uncertainty Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe’s ruling party and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party have reached a power sharing deal, which will be signed on Monday. Full story at the New York Times.
9/11
Americans held solemn memorial services around the country yesterday to honour the victims of September 11, 2001. Check out the CNN for articles and images, then, for an alternative view, go over to GNN (the Guerrilla News Network) where MickyZ questions the definition of terror.
Aid for Haiti ‘urgently needed’
America’s attempt to prepare and protect itself from the worst affects of the hurricane season has been well reported, but less well reported is the situation in Haiti. Following four hurricanes in four weeks, the UN estimates that 800,000 flood victims in Haiti are desperate for food, clean water and shelter. Listen to this BBC radio report from one of Haiti’s worst hit areas.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIONS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
International Day of Peace
Sunday 21 September
Peace is more than the absence of war. It is about transforming our societies and uniting our global community to work together for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world for all. The International Day of Peace was created to promote the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a Minute of Silence at 12 noon to commemorate the day! For more info visit the International Day of Peace site.
World Vegetarian Day
Wednesday 1st October
Every year on October 1st, World Vegetarian Day kicks off a month of parties, potluck, presentations, food tasting displays…and lots of friendly discussions. For those new to vegetarianism, it serves as an enticement to give meatless fare a try (even for a day) and learn about its many benefits. And, of course, it’s the perfect occasion for vegetarians and those already moving towards plant-based diets to celebrate their healthy, compassionate food choices. For more info visit the official site.
NEW STUFF ON THE WEBSITE
Nicole Mesman explores the global food crisis in The cost of food and we have also posted her actv8 article on fair trade . If you didn’t manage to read Tearaway over the last few months, then you have second chance to read some great articles from the Just Write team. Check out Unity in Diversity by Sylvie Admore, How much is too much? By William Zhang and Preparing for life after oil, by Hannah Robson.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Check out MTVs 4 Real series… a collection of video clips which document “real people., real places, real stories, real change.” You can travel to Peru with Cameron Diaz or Brazil with Mos Def.
Be the Change and Celsias encourage people to take action on climate change and demonstrate to political leaders that New Zealanders care about climate change. On both websites you can learn, commit and act to reduce your carbon footprint Check them out here and here.
Big Picture TV streams free video clips of leading experts, thinkers and activists in environmental and social sustainability. You can watch their videos online here, or register as a member to download the videos straight to your computer!
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
Angelina Jolie stars in A Mighty Heart. On January 23, 2002, Mariane Pearl’s world changed forever. Her husband Daniel, the South Asia Bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, was researching a story on shoe bomber Richard Reid. The story drew them to Karachi where a go-between had promised access to an elusive source. Based on a true story, Daniel is captured by terrorists and Marianne heads a desperate search for clues in a race against time to locate her missing husband.
You can borrow this DVD and heaps of other books, guides and great films for FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email info@justfocus.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.