3 August Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Tena ra koe, e te hoa
It is Eva’s last day today : ( She is busy finishing things off, tying up loose ends, while the rest of us mourn our loss and make secret preparations for her celebration this afternoon. (Well not so secret coz she has probably read this newsletter!)
The Auckland regional group is up and running, with some great plans for the rest of the year, including making a short film for The Outlook for Someday Competition. If you are interested in getting involved or connecting with the group then contact Laura at auckland@justfocus.org.nz. The Wellington group will be starting later in the month. Get in touch with Will at wellington@justfocus.org.nz if you are keen to be part of it.
Just Focus will be at the Youth3 events (see below) in Auckland and Wellington on August 13. If you are going along then keep an eye out for us and come and say hi!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Within weeks, the United Nations General Assembly must make a decision on the long awaited and urgently needed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They will either move ahead with final adoption, as has been urged by indigenous peoples and supporters all over the world, or adoption will be delayed again due to the demands of a small, yet vocal group of states (including Aotearoa NZ). Check out more info on the declaration here or to support the adoption of the declaration click here.
The Bush administration announced on Monday the huge arms sales package to Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf state allies, aimed at putting the squeeze on Iran . Over at Znet this is being called a major global human rights catastrophe.
Earlier this week the BBC reported that the doctor, accused in Australia of links to failed bomb attacks in the UK, is relieved to have been cleared and denies any terrorist links. Despite being freed, Al Jazeera reports that Australian authorities maintain the doctor was part of a British bombing conspiracy last month and have just released some police evidence.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
YOUTH3 (Cubed)
This August, Youth3 aims to redefine how young people connect with each other, with Business, and with Government. There are three events planned across the country which aim to connect thousands of young people to talk about their dreams and share their vision for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand .
Go to the Youth3 website for all the details.
TALK TO ME! Sharing the Voices of Young Refugees
In the last 15 years Aoteaora New Zealand has become home to 16,556 refugees. These are people forced to leave their homelands from fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a social group. The Petone Settlers Museum is running a nationwide essay competition, for all intermediate and secondary school students, on the stories of young refugees. Win up to $750 for yourself and $750 for your school!
See the Hutt City Council website for more details.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
The new Adbusters Remixed video asks important questions about freedom of speech and our level of consumption.
Zmag have a interesting review of the Transformer movie, is it just militarism in disguise?
Check out this World Clock with lots of bells and whistles.
‘If you wanted to hear Angela Davis (African-American philosopher & activist who was associated with the Black Panther Party in the 60s & 70’s and the Communist Party of the United States of America) speak last month on democracy, prison reform, racism and feminism, but missed it, you can now listen to her presentation here.
And just in case you didn’t know, spamming doesn’t pay!! Did you hear that forum spammers?!
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
There are some interesting discussions and some tough questions being asked on the forum about child abuse and mental illness. Read what other JFers have been saying and tell us where YOU stand!
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
What do you think about global warming Do you care enough about the Earth’s future to get involved? What can you do to deal with the crisis? These and many other important questions are answered in the Inconvenient Truth Book. We also have the documentary An Inconvenient Truth on DVD .
This series and heaps of other books, guides and great films are available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email jennie@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.
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