8 June Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Tena ra koe, e te hoa
It’s a busy time of the year for everyone, we hope exams and end of term assignments etc are going well and you are still finding a bit of time to fight for a just world! Chancey, Raven, Pauline and the Just Focus crew in Christchurch ran a hugely successful Media that Matters Aotearoa Film event last week. Lots of young people turned up to watch films, discuss issues and munch on a whole lot of fair trade chocolate and phoenix juices. Good on ya guys! And all you JFers in Auckland who are keen to be involved in organising an event up in your part of the world… stay tuned, we hope to get this underway really soon.
The Just Focus team have been busy working with JET and Tearaway and Eva’s been in Auckland getting the Outlook for Someday ready to launch…If any of you in Auckland wanna go to the launch at Maori TV on the 21st of this month in the evening, email us and we will sort you out an invite!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
The G8 leaders made a deal on climate change at the summit in Germany yesterday- with the West’s leading economies pledging to make “substantial” cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The Guardian newspaper reports that while Tony Blair believes this is a “major, major step forward”, others aren’t so convinced. At Znet one commentator questions the very idea that eight self-appointed countries can assume to determine the fates of humanity, in The G8: Not the Only Show In Town. This article also looks at declining influence of the G8 and the growing challenge from the rising power of other nations, especially China, Brazil, Russia and India.
Not sure what the G8 is all about or what’s going on at the summit? Check out the BBC’s helpful guide to the issues and controversies.
While it is crucial for governments to take action on climate change it is also important that we, as individuals do our part too. But a recent UK study tells us that we need to go beyond simple considerations such as food miles. It’s great that more people are paying attention to things such as where our food comes from, and how far it’s travelled, but this is really too simplistic a way to judge the environmental impact of our food. Read more.
Today is World Ocean Day (I know, there are sooo many “days” it’s hard to keep up!) Greenpeace Australia Pacific reports that while the Pacific Ocean is among the last moderately healthy fisheries in the world, it is still under threat. As fishing stocks collapse in other oceans, global fleets are moving en masse to the Pacific, rather than fixing the problems in their own waters. The 20 Pacific Island states rely upon the ocean as a crucial economic resource, the very economic stability and health of Pacific Island communities are at risk. Read the Greenpeace media release or go to the Greenpeace website for more info.
And finally, two pieces of positive news from Aotearoa New Zealand!
*100 residents in the Manukau suburb of Clendon took to the streets in protest last Saturday at the number of liquor licences being approved in their area. Local youth came up with the idea for the march, as they believe alcohol is the cause of too many problems in their neighbourhood. Great to see young people taking the lead in their community!
*Today marks the 20th Anniversary of NZ Nuclear Free Legislation! This is a time to celebrate how Aoteaora New Zealand lead the world on the nuclear issue and a time to honour those who rallied, protested and persisted to get the Bill through parliament.
A new compilation CD and DVD is about to come out to celebrate Nuclear Free NZ. It has songs from artists including Hollie Smith, Kora and Shapeshifter. Check it out on Myspace.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
International Justice for Cleaners Day
Every June 15 cleaners around the globe mark International Justice For Cleaners Day. In New Zealand the Service and Food Workers Union are building their Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign against poverty wages with rallies and marches this to coincide with the day. Check out Indymedia for more info.
Nuclear Free NZ Exhibition
Find out about how we achieved our nuclear free status and the impact of the ensuing World Court Project and Peace Squadron protests. Open from 9am to 5pm every day at the Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue; Christchurch- Free admission. Open now until July 22.
Volunteer Awareness Week
This awareness week is a great opportunity to highlight volunteering and the wide range of volunteering roles available within the community. It also encourages first-timers to give volunteering a go! This year, VAW will be held from Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 June. Download the toolkit or email office@volunteeringnz.org.nz if you want to get involved.
World Refugee Day
Every year on June 20 the world honours the courage, resilience and strength of refugees. This year’s theme is “The Voices of Young Refugees”. Many events are being planned for June 20 and throughout the week of June 17-June 23. RMS Refugee Resettlement encourage you to get involved….host an event, show a film, arrange a music and poetry evening or bring people together from different backgrounds to share a meal. For more info about what’s happening visit the RMS website or email Jude Walcott.
Check out the Events Page for more events and info.
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS WEBSITE
Just Focus writer and forum member, Jayran Mansouri, has written a piece on a prejudice you may not even know you hold! And keep an eye on the site for Anna Wu’s investigation on the Therapeutic Products and Medicine Bill, which the government is currently reworking after intense public pressure!!
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Your average SUV driving Joe gets challenged by a little boy and his Arctic friends in Going Green, Or Else!
Check out Treehugger TV a weekly video installment from the one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information!
An group of inspiring young kiwis take their hopes, dreams and visions for the future to the Youth Insight Young Leaders Collaboratory in San Francisco, in the lead up to the International Symposium on Digital Earth.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
Another really successful Media that Matters film event was held in Christchurch last week. Were YOU there?! Get on to the forum and share your thoughts!
Nicky Hager has revealed that a state-owned enterprise hired private investigators, who used spies to infiltrate and undermine a New Zealand protest group. Check out the article posted on the forum and tell us what YOU think about this!
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.
