13 April Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Tena ra koe, e te hoa.
Well it seems autumn has arrived and out come the long jackets, scarves and umbrellas- ready to be turned inside out the minute the Wellington wind gets a hold of them. It’s been a bit quiet in the office with lots of people away for extended Easter breaks, (hope you all had a good one) but the Just Focus team is still trucking on! Jennie has been in contact with lots of you to say hi and make sure you still want to be part of the wonderful, challenging and inspiring thing that is Just Focus, and it seems most of you do, (thanks for your replies!!) we have been helping the YWCA with their youth activist resource and Eva has been up in Auckland again to work with the youth steering group for the Outlook for Someday film competition.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Iran has been in the headlines a lot recently after the Iranians released the 15 British soldiers last week, then due to the Navy’s decision to allow the soldiers to sell their stories to the media, which sparked outrage and of course there was Iran’s announcement that it can now produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale. In the Guardian John Pilger makes a plea to us all - We cannot look from the sides as we are led towards crisis over Iran, while in the New Internationalist Chris Brazier reminds us that we have been here before: a nuclear stand-off, stubborn leaders on both sides, the drumbeats of war getting louder. He argues that the West is getting Iran wrong.
Two more people have been released recently: Hossein Yadegary, an Iranian born chef, was released from Auckland’s Mt Eden Prison, where he had been for 30 months after refusing to sign an order for his deportation: Josh Wolf, Independent journalist from the States, has been released from prison after spending more time in jail than any journalist in US history for protecting his sources.
The Premier of Niue has invited all Niueans living abroad to consider returning home. He encouraged them to do so, before family land and cultural heritage is lost to them. With a population of only 1600, and 20,000 Niueans living elsewhere in the Pacific region, Niue is facing a crisis . The Premier invited them to reconnect with their island and embrace the place they can call home. Check out Scoop coverage.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Invisible Children are asking you to imagine for 24 hours what it’s like for the millions of people in Northern Uganda who have been displaced for more than ten years. Join them at Aotea Square on April 28 & 29 for Displace Me and send a message to the international community that the world cares about ending the suffering of millions living in Uganda’s displaced camps.
Youth Week 2007 is coming up, from 21-21 May, so it’s time to start thinking about how you can get involved. This week is a celebration and an opportunity to have your voice heard. In 2007 the focus is on youth participation. So get into it!! Check out this toolkit for lots of ideas.
Also keep an eye on the Events page on the Just Focus website.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Reebok and human rights , of course! They go together like…..?
Offset your cheating. If we can do it for carbon emissions, why cant we do it for infidelity?
Oliver, one of the JF gang has made an excellent film. Check it out! If this inspires you to make your own film, and you are 20 or younger, why not take part in the Outlook for Someday Short Film Challenge.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
Eva wants your advice on creating a volunteering guide for young people in Aoteoroa. Volunteering can be a great experience personally and can benefit organisations and communities, but where do you start and how do you ensure your work really does help? What would you like to learn from a guide on volunteering? Get onto the forum and share your thoughts!
Climate change sick of hearing about it? Confused by all the conflicting information? MYD have asked Eva to talk to them about what young people think about climate change One JF member has asked how many reports does the world’s governments need before they actually take action What do YOU think?
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
365 ways to change the world: how to make a difference…one day at a time
You want to change the world? Of course you do. But where do you begin? The ultimate answer for anyone who has ever asked, “how can I make a difference?” this ingenious handbook shows how the smallest actions can impact on your local community and the wider world. Packed with ideas, and facts from leading campaign organisations, it suggests one action for every day of the year - some are intriguing, many are unusual, almost all can be planned or done from your home or computer, most will be fun, all are achievable.
This book, and heaps of other great resources and 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!!
