What frustrates you or makes you mad? Injustice, human rights abuses, poverty, pollution? Chances are you’re not the only one. Most local issues are connected to things happening nationally, locally and globally. There are a lot of people, here in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, that are frustrated too, and are working hard to create a more just world.

  
 
SO WHAT’S JUST FOCUS ABOUT?

Just Focus is a network of young people connected by their concern for issues that affect us in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific, and globally. The goals of the network are responsible global citizenship and change for a just world .

Just Focus connects a community of young people around Aotearoa and provides a way to:

• Be active in GETTING INFORMED about issues facing the world today.
• DISCUSS these issues with other like-minded young people.
• Learn new skills and be inspired, so you can TAKE ACTION

HOW DOES JUST FOCUS DO THAT?

The Just Focus website
That’s where you are right now! And anyone is welcome to join. The website supports an online community of young people. It’s a way to:

• Connect with others around New Zealand, the Pacific and globally.
• Access information about issues, definitions of complex terms and discover ways to take action
• Express yourself through the forum and by writing articles, taking photos, creating art.

Events, workshops and other fun things
To help Just Focus members get active and inspired, we run events, workshop and other fun things around the country. Like…

Media That Matters Aotearoa

Media That Matters Aotearoa is a short film festival, run by and for young people, to get them thinking about and taking action on global issues. It’s held around June each year in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch and organised by Just Focus members.

The films come from the international film festival and media movement Media That Matters (www.mediathatmattersfest.org) and we get together local content as well, from places like Outlook for Someday.

To find out more about Media That Matters Aotearoa or to put up your hand to be on the Youth Steering Committee email info@justfocus.org.nz or phone +64 4 496 9510.

Workshops

We also run skills workshops in the main centres on things like screen-printing, badge-making, how to promote your cause, short film-making workshops - all with a global activism bent! Keep an eye on the events page for what’s coming up.

In Wellington right now, there is a special, regularly meeting group of Just Focus members who get together and talk about global issues - and hatch plans for making the world a better place. If you’re interested, contact Will on wellington@justfocus.org.nz.

 

Just Write

Each year, our Just Write programme gives ten young people from around Aotearoa New Zealand the opportunity to gain basic journalism skills, explore global issues and gain experience reporting on international themes.

We’ve developed a certificated programme which supports a team of young people to develop their research, writing and interviewing skills; works to deepen their understanding of global issues; and provides them with opportunities to work with experienced journalists to produce work on global issues.

The team’s work is published online her at justfocus.org.nz, and in local and youth media such as JET and Tearaway Magazine.

DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED!?

The Just Focus project is committed to the full participation of young people to inform and develop the project, its content, style and direction.

We’re looking for young people who are interested in: writing articles, website moderation, educating others, being part of events in your town, promoting the network, giving us feedback and ideas on development or being involved in whatever ways interest you. If you’re keen to be involved just fill out the online form and we’ll be in touch.

As a Just Focus member, as well as being part of an awesome, inspiring community of young people around Aotearoa, you will get:

• A fortnightly e-newsletter
• Bi-monthly mail out of Global Bits and other goodies!
• Just Focus poster and badges