2 March Newsletter
WHATS HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
It’s March already, can you believe it?!
Eva has done some tripping around the country over the last couple of weeks, up to Auckland to judge film entries to the Reel Short Film Competition, three of which were in the Global Issues section. Then she was off to Christchurch to spend some time with Chancey and the ChCh Just Focus group, who were having some really interesting discussions ranging from media to war, after viewing the Media that Matters films.
Back in Wellington and the team is focused on Media that Matters Aotearoa, which takes place in Wellington in two weeks! We are busy promoting the event and encourage some new young people to come along and think about the world and their place in it, (and have a good time of course!) If you are coming along remember to bring a friend.
Ohh and Kim’s little girl has been named Molly. Cute!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Yesterday was Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day. March 1 marks the anniversary of a nuclear bomb detonation at Bikini Atoll. 53 years ago the US detonated “Bravo” on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, with horrifying and far reaching consequences. March 1 is dedicated to remembering the survivors and to pledging support to continue the struggle for a nuclear free and independent Pacific. Check out Peace Movement Aotearoa for more info.
Earlier this week it was reported that 18 teenagers were killed near a football field by a suicide car bomber in Ramadi, though the US military cast doubt on the claim, stating that they had let off a controlled explosion at the same field, injuring 30. Robert Fisk has pointed out that the reality is that Iraq’s war now exists in a fog, through which we can see only vague figures. Information comes filtered- through pro-American Iraqi security officials or through the US or through insurgents’ websites so that incidents are often claimed by, or blamed on, several different groups.
Al Gore has been in the headlines a lot this week, after winning an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth on Sunday, and hinting that he could enter the US democratic elections, his own personal energy consumption -which appears to be quite high- has come under the spotlight and caused people to label him a hypocrite. Gore’s power bill has become his own inconvenient truth.
In New Zealand Helen Clark is planning her third visit to President Bush and the Maori Party are calling for a comprehensive review of the Treaty Settlement Process, after a dispute over planned Landcorp sale at Whenuakite- land sought by the Hauraki Iwi and subject to a Treaty Claim. They have warned that if issues such as that at Whenuakite and others were not better dealt with Maori would have no choice but to mount further occupations in order to ensure they were listened to. Listen to the Press Conference.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Next week is Seaweek
Kotahi Moana - Kei konei te tīmatatanga
One Ocean - It starts here
The key aim of Seaweek, 4-11 March, is to raise awareness of the coast and ocean and to encourage all New Zealanders to help look after their local marine areas. Seaweek is a time to celebrate the sea and get involved in activities that promote the health of our ocean. Check out the Seaweek website for local events, information and ideas for taking action next week and every week of the year.
International Women’s Day
While the new millennium has seen a significant change and shift in attitude towards women and their right to equality, the unfortunate fact remains that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women are not present in equal numbers in politics or business, and globally there are still major issues around violence against women, women’s education, health and participation. International Women’s day is observed on 8 March to honour women’s achievements and to remind us of the continued need for action. There are events going on around Aotearoa NZ or go to the IWD website for events around the globe.
Youth Parliament
The Ministry of Youth Development is calling for applications for Youth MPs for Youth Parliament 2007, which takes place 8-11 July. This is a great opportunity to express your views and opinions to politicians, the government and the public. Applications are welcome from any young person aged between aged 16-18 years.
They also want to know what YOU think should be discussed at Youth Parliament 2007.
For more info, to have your say or to apply for Youth Parliament check out the website, send MYD an email, or give them a call 0508 FOR MYD (367 693).
Also keep an eye on the Events page on the Just Focus website.
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS WEBSITE
For those of you who don’t read JET, never fear, the latest articles are now posted on the Just Focus website, Hannah Newport looks at the industry behind our clothing in Dressed to Kill and Nicole Mathewson uncovers some not so sweet surprises about sugar.
And don’t forget to read the second part of Elisabeth Perham’s exposē on Coke - Environmental Destruction in India.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
We are sure, like the team at Just Focus, you consider yourself an ethical shopper and think about where you buy clothes, shoes etc from. But have you ever thought about what you wear underneath??
If you liked the Meatrix and Organic Rebellion, then you may enjoy the latest Free Range offering - The Mouth Revolution movie (unfortunately it reminds us of an annoying advertisement….but we’re old so you might not have seen it!)
While celebrating International Women’s Day you may be thinking about our commercial culture and the pressure put on women to look a certain way, an idea beautifully and sadly articulated in - Doll Face: A story of misplaced desires and identities.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
The thread about peak oil and climate change has been resurrected recently, with a discussion on consumption and the environmental and human costs of some of the proposed alternative fuels. “We’re going to have to change our lifestyles in response to the oil shortage and climate change threat - if we try and manipulate our resources to suit our current over-consuming lifestyles, the poor will be killed at even greater rates.” Tell us what YOU think.
And as we have been on the subject of women, why not contribute to the discussion on feminism or stupid horrible nasty people.
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
Referred to as one of the essential books of Hip Hop, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop is a must read for anybody living the Hip Hop Lifestyle.
‘Hip-hop is the voice of this generation. Even if you didn’t grow up in the Bronx in the ’70s, hip-hop is there for you. It has become a powerful force. Hip-hop binds all of these people, all of these nationalities, all over the world together.”
—DJ Kool Herc, from the Introduction
This book and heaps of other great resources are available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email Eva 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? Contact us at info@justfocus.org.nz , it’s always great to hear from you.
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