1 February Newsletter
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
Kia ora koutou
Can you believe it’s February already?! The JF office is busy busy busy. We are doing lots of planning for the year ahead, getting ready for WOMAD and promoting Just Write and MTM far and wide. Don’t forget to get in touch if you are interested in getting involved. We also welcomed 20 new members this month! Kia ora to those that signed up at the Parihaka Peace Festival. The winners of the prize draw we held are, drum roll please…..
Hineana Todd - Lush pack
Declan Doherty - Ramsey – Fairtrade pack.
If this is you then get in touch and we will post them out ASAP.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
The BBC reports that Japan’s whaling fleet has gone back to work in the Southern Ocean. A press release from the Institute of Cetacean Research states that Japan’s research is ‘of vital importance for the management of whales because any regulations adopted by the IWC must be based on scientific findings’. Other nations and environment groups aren’t convinced and believe research goals are just a front for commercial whaling.
John Keys and Helen Clark made their State of the Nation speeches this week. Youth issues, such as youth justice and education featured heavily. They are talking about YOU, so get informed, watch the videos, read the speeches and check out all the commentary on Scoop.
It has been two years since the international community agreed to a plan of aid and assistance for Afghanistan. However, three reports have just come out which state that this plan is failing to make Afghanistan a stable state. Oxfam said a major change of direction is needed to avert a humanitarian disaster.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIONS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
WAITANGI DAY
6 February
For some people Waitangi Day is just a holiday; but for many it is an important marker in the countries history and an occasion for debate and reflection. Click here for more info on the Treaty, or for details of events happening all over the country go to NZ live.
YOUNG ACTIVIST BOOT CAMP
15-17 February
This is a three-day residential/camp training programme for young workers, focusing on activist development and the promotion of greater participation of young members in union organising campaigns. New and experienced young activists are welcome.
The camp is to be held at the YMCA Camp Kaitoke, Marchant Rd. Download the flyer for more information.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Looking for a water tight argument on the need for action against climate change Look no further then this short video.
Check out this interactive guide to the Treaty of Waitangi on New Zealand History Online.
This week on YO!Radio: A track star is disqualified because of her Muslim track-suit, Omar Bin Laden rebels against his father and the Japanese take novel-writing to another level.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT…….?
It’s pretty quiet out there? Don’t tell me you don’t have anything to say? Start a new discussion or jump in on an existing one. You can have a rant about anything you want on the Just Focus forum!
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
5 sides of a coin
Exploding the myth that Hip-Hop is merely “Rap music”, this film provides and overview of the international culture of Hip-Hop. Today Hip-Hop is a world-wide phenomenon, a multi-billion dollar industry and is a distinguished and socially relevant culture. This film documents a journey that spans generations and continents, weaving together interviews and ideologies, never losing track of the pulsing beat. Check out the trailer on YouTube.
You can borrow this DVD and heaps of other books, guides and great films for FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email justfocus@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.
