14 September Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
There is heaps going on at the Just Focus office at the moment, we have loads of exciting new ideas for the project and ways to promote JF to more young people, which we will keep you posted about. Will is planning the first regional group meeting in Wellington on Tuesday 25 September @ Zeal…..get in touch with him wellington@justfocus.org.nz if you want to be involved, he has heaps of fun stuff planned. The JF group in Auckland has been busy working on a film to enter into the Outlook for Someday film challenge, which closes on Friday 21 September! And the biggest news for the team was the arrival of Tessa…..yay!!
Hello! I am the new girl at Just Focus, my name’s Tessa. I’m the new Youth Advocate, and part of that is helping the lovely Jennie co-ordinate Just Focus. You’ll see me around the website, and I may even see some of you at the events and meetings we run over the next few months. I’m hoping to be out and about a lot, talking to people and spreading the good Just Focus word! I’m going to be doing a little bit of research into Just Focus’s regional groups, about what gets people going to the meetings, or if you haven’t been to one, what keeps you away from them. Is it us? Do we smell bad? Or do we just need to bring more food? Just in case it is the food, I’m offering sweet, sweet Fair Trade chocolate to anyone who’s keen to help me out with the research. Email me at tessa@globaled.org.nz Otherwise I’ll see ya round!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted yesterday at the UN General Assembly after more than two decades of debate. This declaration outlines the rights of the world’s estimated 370 million indigenous people. Full story at the UN News Centre.
The Security Intelligence Service have announced that Ahmed Zaoui is no longer accused of being a risk to New Zealand’s national security. The decision comes almost five years after Mr Zaoui arrived in New Zealand and four years after it was recommended that he be granted asylum following his experiences in Algeria and in exile. Scoop has all the print, video and audio coverage.
After all the fuss, the protests and the millions spent on security in Sydney, APEC has been and gone. Called a success by many of the leaders, including Helen Clark, and a talkfest by others, the meeting did see a declaration made which commits Apec’s 21 member countries to work within the UN framework on climate change an important concession by the United States. Nuclear energy was high on the agenda, and while Aotearoa New Zealand reaffirmed its position, George W. Bush declared “If you truly care about greenhouse gases, then you’ll support nuclear power.” Check out the debate on the NZ herald site.
Global market forces met consumer power yesterday when Italians were asked to take part in a one day strike on PASTA. Consumer groups are angry that, while the price of ingredients such as wheat is rising in the shops, the earnings of the farmers who produce them remain flat.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF (there’s heaps this week!)
Should the voting age be lowered?
NZAAHD, Save the Children New Zealand & YWCA invite you to take some time to think about and discuss the issues around youth voting. They have some interesting speakers to get the discussion started….so get down to ZEAL in Wellington, on Wednesday 19 September @ 4pm.
International Day of Peace - September 21
Join the worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire and day of peace. Keep an eye on the dedicated Peace Day website site for information about local events and ways to take action
Oxjam is back!
Oxjam is a New Zealand-wide month of music with a message: that we can help bring an end to extreme poverty by making trade fair! Whatever music you’re into – from rock to rap, funk to punk – we need you to get amongst it! For more information, the gig guide and ways to get involved check out the Oxfam website.
Dear New Zealand are making their final call to young New Zealanders to write a letter about current New Zealand issues around like social justice, sustainability, culture and identity. Selected submissions will be published in a book titled “Dear New Zealand” with the aim of getting people thinking and taking action for change. If you are keen to get involved email jennie@globaled.org.nz or go the Dear New Zealand website.
T-shirts to make a difference
Fighting poverty should always be fashionable – you can help design T-shirts to make a difference. The winning entries will come to life and become designs for the Hinitiative t-shirt range, with a portion of the sale from each T-shirt going to World Vision’s Children in Crisis programme. The top designer will also receive a cash gift of $250. Deadline: 1 October 2007
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Check out this hilarious video about APEC security gone mad. This is from the same comedians who managed to get within metres of George Bush’s hotel after conducting a fake motorcade through the APEC security zone.
What’s on family dinner tables in fifteen different homes around the globe? Have a look at these amazing photos from the book Hungry Planet.
The Real News is a new, independent, non-profit news and documentary network focused on providing investigative reporting and debates on the critical issues of our times. Check out The Real News promo.
Interesting articles on Alternet- America’s Media Darling: Osama bin Laden and Zmag – Harry Potter and immigration.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
What do you think about the nuclear power issue? Is New Zealand right to continue its nuclear free stance or should the climate change crisis take priority over the threat of nuclear weapons? What are the other issues? Get onto the forum and tell us what you think!!
Recent (industry-funded) studies have found the artificial sweetener aspartame safe, but other sources believe it is toxic and dangerous. What do YOU think?
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
Blood Diamonds is set in Sierra Leone during the Civil War. Touching on issues such as child soldiers, human rights refugees and the atrocities of war, the film focuses on the illegal trade of diamonds, which has been responsible for many conflicts in Africa and has resulted in the death and displacement of millions.
Once you have watched the film check out this website for ways to take action.
This DVD and heaps of other books, guides and great films are available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email tessa@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.
