2 May 2008 newsletter
What about the weather eh!? We hope you are all keeping warm and dry. The sun has come out today, but we are distrustful. We brought our umbrellas just in case…
So things with Just Focus are skipping merrily along. Will has been delivering training around the country; he is currently in stormy Westport. (Hope he remembered his umbrella!) The new Just Write team (you can read a little about them here) have articles coming out in Tearaway and Actv8 this month, they are also working on lots of really interesting articles for the website. And, as we move closer to June, the youth steering committees in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are working hard to organise fantastic Media that Matters film events for you!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Ploughshares Peace Activists Penetrate Waihopai Spy Base near Blenheim
Three peace activists, members of the Ploughshares group, entered the Waihopai spy base near Blenheim on 30 April and used sickles to cut one of the two 30-metre white domes. They say they “are responding to the Bush administration’s admission that intelligence gathering is the most important tool in the so-called War on Terror. This war will have no end until citizens of the world refuse to let it continue. Read more about the story on Indymedia http://indymedia.org.nz/feature/display/71808/index.php
and the rest of the statement on the Ploughshares site.
‘Justice for Darfur’ Campaign Launched
A year ago – on 27 April, 2007 – the ICC issued two arrest warrants against Sudan’s former State Minister of the Interior Ahmad Harun and “Janjaweed” leader Ali Kushayb for 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Today the two men – who face charges of persecution, rape, and killing of civilians in four West Darfur villages – remain at large. Human rights organisations around the world are calling for the two to be arrested. For this story and more on the situation in Darfur visit Human Rights Watch.
After Troubled Tour, Torch Arrives in China
The Olympic torch returned to China on Wednesday in preparation for its first relay on Chinese soil after a troubled worldwide tour. Follow the story with the New York Times and read a BBC correspondent’s blog on how he sees China is changing with a 100 days to go till the Olympics begin.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Human Parasites – Check out this slick, but slightly scary animation about our relationship with the planet. Creators Three Legged Legs ask you to heed their warning. What are YOU going to do about it?
UNHCR and Google Earth project
Have you played around and checked out what you can see of where you live on Google Earth? Well now you can use this amazing tool to learn more about the life of refugees in camps thanks to a new project between the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Google. For more info and a birds eye view of a refugee’s world click here.
The Hidden Battle to Control the World’s Food Supply
You’ve all heard that there’s a global food crisis – but do you understand the reasons why? This article explains about the recent “perfect storm of poor harvests and a demand for meat in developing countries” combined with the high price of oil, the biofuels boom and the involvement of organisations like the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, who have a fairly iron control over the economies of most of the poorest countries in the world.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIONS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL 2008
Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin Thursday 8 May-Friday 6 June
The Human Rights Film Festival provides a safe space to explore and debate national and international human rights issues. Go to the Human Rights Film Festival website for more information about the films and screening times. And if you go see one of the films, why don’t you share your thoughts by reviewing it for Just Focus? Check out our Reviewing Guidelines to help get you started.
FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT
Saturday 3 - Sunday 18 May
Fair trade can change the lives of farmers and producers across the developing world. Demonstrate your support for producers - Taste It, Try It, Change It, Choose It…. this Fair Trade Fortnight. This year’s theme is Environmental Justice. TradeAid has loads of info on what this is and ways to get involved in the fortnight or check out the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ).
NEW ZEALAND’S BIGGEST COFFEE BREAK 2008
Friday 16 May
Millions of coffee growers in the developing world are struggling to earn a living. You can make a difference. Take part in New Zealand’s Biggest Coffee Break and help fight poverty – one cup at a time. It’s easy. All you have to do is organise a Coffee Break for your friends or workmates during Fair Trade Fortnight – in your home, at work, at your coffee group, at your school … wherever! Check out Oxfam’s site for more info.
IN THE JUST FOCUS FORUM
It was ANZAC day last week. Some believe we should be remembering peacemakers on ANZAC Day. That is individuals who believe war is wrong, and who have risked physical harm, their freedom and their reputations, to bring their message to others that war is never right. What do YOU think?
And use your social network to fight one of the world’s biggest killers – malaria.
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.
