30 March Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
We have been experiencing a post event lull since Media that Matters- you know how it is when all your energy has been focused on one thing and then all of a sudden it’s over! But we are starting to feel re-energized as we get into planning the next Just Focus events and projects.
The new Global Bits magazine has just arrived back from the printer. The topic of this issue is Music for Change. It’s a wicked resource about the power of music and how people have always used song to help make sense of the world and events unfolding around them, from songs about slavery to the fallout of September 11. We will be sending this, and some other *exciting* bits and pieces, out to you good Just Focus folks next week, so if your address has changed recently NOW is the time to tell us.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Last week saw the fourth anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq, with protesters in Aotearoa and across the world saying “Four years too many!” Check out this news clip which looks at some of the 1000 protests that took place in the United States, including a march on the Pentagon that drew tens of thousands and was compared to the mass demonstrations denouncing the Vietnam War decades ago, with many hoping it would have a same impact.
More protesting in the capital this week! The debate around the Repeal Section 59 Bill is continuing, in a whirl of misinformation and frustration. An Anti-Repeal protest took place in Wellington on Wednesday, shadowed by a small but committed counter-protest. Check out some of the coverage on Scoop and if you are still confused about the Bill, read the brief summary in last month’s GEC News.
Listen up clown! An American youth activist writes an Open Letter to Ronald McDonald about the companies continued refusal to offer fair wages to the farm workers who provide them with tomatoes AND their assumption that their key market – young people – don’t care about their treatment of these people. Over on WireTapMag, you can get the lowdown on the recent escalation of immigrant farm worker’s campaign against McDonald’s or go directly to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers website.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Earth from Above an aerial portrait of our planet towards sustainable development, is currently in Wanaka as part to the Festival of Colour. This exhibition is on a world tour educating about sustainability and about the human impact on the environment.
World Showcase Cinema has started in Auckland and is coming to Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin soon, check out the website for dates, films and times!
Fair Trade Fortnight is still a month away, but it is time to start thinking about how you can get involved. The FTF website should give you some good ideas for ways to bring Fair Trade Fortnight to life in your community, school, workplace, university and home.
World Health Day.In the current context of increasing global threats to health including SARS, avian flu and HIV/AIDS, this year’s theme for World Health Day, on April 7, is international health security. Threats to health know no borders this day provides an opportunity for the international community to consider the growing interdependence of health and security and the need to Invest in health, build a safer future. More info.
Also keep an eye on the Events page on the Just Focus website.
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS WEBSITE
As you know Media that Matters was a great success and to hear about how it went and what people thought of it read the event summary.
Check out the site next week for two articles on the scary *gasp* subject of feminism from well established writer Nicole Matherson and, new to the Just Focus team and making her writing debut, Jennie O’Donovan.
We know you are all busy, but we really need some more articles on the website, so get in touch if you are feeling inspired or think maybe we could adapt something you are working on for school or university!
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Last newsletter we profiled the mobile phone videos available on one World TV, this week you might want to check out OneWorld radio. Speaking of radio, Public Address have launched their own show called, imaginatively, Public Address Radio!
Happiness is interesting. We all want to be happy, but a certain resident of Christchurch thinks happiness can be downright depressing.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
Eva is asking for your thoughts on barriers to participation and apathy in young people… get onto the forum and let her know what YOU think.
We are hearing a lot of different opinions in the media about the Repeal Section 59 Bill, but these opinions mostly belong to parents, politicians and fundamentalist Christians. What do you think? There’s an interesting discussion happening in response to Heather Yang’ s article Section 59 in Simple Terms. You’re young enough to remember what it’s like to be a kid, but old enough to imagine the possibility of parenthood. Tell us what you think about Section 59 and Sue Bradford’s Repeal Bill?
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
Iraq for sale: the war profiteers
This documentary is the story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war. Acclaimed director Robert Greenwald takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. See a film clip here.
This film and heaps of other great films are available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email eva@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.
