20 July Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
The big news in the Just Focus office is that Eva is leaving : ( I know….. it sux. The office has been flooded in the tears of her friends and colleagues, but to be fair we haven’t been able to wipe the smile off her face. She’s off to Central America to travel, work and perfect her Español. She has been a driving force behind this fabulous thing that we call the Just Focus Network and I know her knowledge about global issues, her passion for making sure young people’s voices are heard in Aotearoa, not to mention her quirky sense of humour, her pickle of death (it’s hot, not poisonous) and her pressing need for important coffee meetings, will be greatly missed!!
Click here for a message from Eva.
And who is filling these GIANT shoes?? Tessa Johnston (formally Editor Extraordinaire of Tearaway Magazine) will be joining the team in September! Stay tuned for more info next month.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Today marks the sixth day of the lockout of 800 hospital cleaners, orderlies and kitchen workers by their employer Spotless Services Ltd. Workers at 13 public hospitals across the country were locked out on Thursday July 12th after they attempted to start industrial action in their struggle for better wages and conditions. The lockout is the largest ever of public hospital workers.
For more info and details of continuing protests and ways to show your support check out www.sfwu.org.nz or www.indymedia.org.nz
Check out Scoop’s coverage of yesterday’s protest in Wellington about human rights abuses in China.
So, what about the weather eh!? Earlier this month a State of Emergency was declared in Taranaki after a swarm of tornadoes hit the area, this week Hawkes Bay has been hit with the worst flooding in 50 years. In the Sudan the death toll from recent flooding has reached 100, while 32 people died as thunderstorms of unprecedented intensity rocked southwestern China.
For those of you not already convinced about the reality of climate change is this extreme weather a climate change wake up call??
There may have been flooding recently but lack of water is usually the problem in the Sudan, with strained water resources contributing to the conflict in Darfur. The UN Environmental Programme said deserts have increased by an average of 100 km in the last 40 years, while almost 12% of forest cover has been lost in 15 years. BUT a huge underground lake has been found in Sudan’s Darfur region, which scientists believe could help end the conflict in the arid region. The team used radar data to find the ancient lake, which is 30,750 km2, making it the 10th largest lake in the world.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Aotearoa New Zealand has been celebrating Māori Language Week for over 30 years, and next week all Kiwis are again invited to join in. This year’s theme is ‘Tourism’ or ‘Tāpoi’. Check out the Kōrero Māori website for more information and ideas on how to get involved.
New Internationalist Planner
The New Internationalist is calling for alternative illustrations, paintings, photographs and any other artwork for inclusion in an international diary for 2009 - the New Internationalist Planner - aimed at young people, students and activists. They’re looking for quirky and creative ways to illustrate the injustices / successes / ironies / humour / tragedy of politics, love and life in the world today.
With applications closing on Monday, 30th July you don’t have much time but if you are interested check out the NI website for more info.
The Ship for World Youth
This unique floating international exchange programme is aimed at developing future leaders and promoting friendship and understanding between young people from around the world. The Ship for World Youth programme will take place from 15 January to 5 March 2008.
Applications are due on Friday, 27 July 2007. For more info click here or here or contact Tracey Kai, Youth Engagement Manager on (04) 916 3659 or tracey.kai001@myd.govt.nz
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Local musical comedy duo, Flight of the Concords, share their thoughts on the world’s issues in Think about it, think about it!
Next week is Māori Language Week so, Korero Māori – Give it a go! Try this interactive guide to speaking basic Māori. Pronounce Māori words, learn some basic conversational phrases and then take the quiz.
Alive in Baghdad is a weekly video blog formed to counter the sound-bite driven news and to show the occupation through the eyes of Iraqis.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
It’s been very quiet on the forums lately….we know the spam was annoying, but it’s all gone, so get on the forum and let us know what you think about the world! Have your say about youth rates, changing the voting age and the current situation in Australia’s Northern territories.
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS WEBSITE
Check out Nicole’s article on cyber activism in Global Citizenship in a Virtual World, Jayran’s piece for JET My Space: Your Space? on racism and diversity and don’t miss Eva’s tear jerking but inspiring farewell!
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!
