22 June Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Kia ora JFers!
Well those pesky spammers have been keeping us pretty busy over the last two weeks. Our apologies for the disruption this has caused on the forum….but never fear, our super-IT-guy John, has been trialling a number of different solutions and we also have our forum moderators back on the case, so things seem to be under control. Please start using it again….there is so much going on in the world to discuss!!
Other than spam busting, Eva has been working on an international volunteer guide for young people with Volunteer Services Abroad and developing lots of exciting workshops for some upcoming events. Jennie has had a nasty cold, but managed to welcome some new members, do some article editing and attend the launch of Outlook for Someday in Auckland (see below for more details), but due to time constraints has only managed a briefer than usual newsletter.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Headlines across the world declare that the US is close to shutting down Guantanamo Bay. Although not confirmed by the White House, it has been reported the Bush administration is nearing a decision to shut down the prison and move detainees to military prisons on US soil. Human rights advocates and foreign leaders have
repeatedly urged the US to close the prison. More recently Bush’s wife, Laura, and his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, along with Condoleezza Rice have told him that Guantanamo is a blot on the US record abroad. Bush is said to be keenly aware of its shortcomings.
As the international community scrambles for solutions to address the problems associated with climate change nuclear energy is being promoted as clean and green. Pacific commentator and campaigner Nic Maclellan dishes up the very extensive pile of dirt on the nuclear alternative on Radio New Internationalist.
Green Party MP Sue Bradford (does she EVER rest?) has announced she will be putting forward a Bill - the Civics Education and Voting Age Bill - in the next Parliamentary private members ballot, to lower the voting age to 16. Check out Scoop for all the coverage and the country’s divided response.
Outlook for Someday was launched last night at Māori Television in Auckland. The organic wine flowed and the guests mingled with their recyclable name badges. The evening was mced by Craig Parker (of Shortland Street fame) and speakers included project manager David Jacobs, Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Māori TV executives Charles Berryman and Larry Parr. They all had great things to say about the competition and see it as a fantastic opportunity for young people to share their vision of the future with the whole country. Check out the new Outlook for Someday website for all the info, or contact Jennie if you want to get involved.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Climate Defence Tour
Green Co-Leaders Jeanette Fitzsimons and Russell Norman will be delivering
workshops and attending public meetings in Otago and Wellington. For dates and
times go to the Green Party website.
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)IFPRI is pleased to announce a global writing contest for youth (14-18). They invite you to present your views on how we can create a world where no one lives in poverty and hunger. Check out the IRPRI website for entry details and prizes.
Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07. Kevin Wall, executive producer of Live 8, and Al Gore have organised the event in the hope it will bring 2 billion people together and trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. So no major expectations then Al?! There is no concert planned for Aotearoa NZ, but find out how you can still be part of it.
Check out the Events Page for more info.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
NO MORE EXCUSES is a photo petition organised by young people, calling on the New Zealand government to meet its
promise of giving 0.7% of its GNI (gross national income) to aid for developing countries Join the petition online!
Any of you ever heard Severn Suzuki’s 1992 speech to the UN Earth Summit? Her aim was to remind the decision-makers of who their actions or inactions would ultimately affect. She was only 12 at the time.
Cautionary Tales For Pacific Leaders: A Morality Lyndon Hood looks for a moral in the Fiji story through the medium of poetry.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
Ok, so there hasn’t been much action on the forum over the last week or two because of all the delightful spam, but we would be really interested to hear your thoughts about the new bill to lower the voting age.
What do YOU think?
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.
Not a member of Just Focus? Sign up online!
