16 May 2008 Newsletter
Hopefully you’ve all been tucking into your Fair Trade goodies over the last couple of weeks in celebration of Fair Trade Fortnight. For more info on Fair Trade Fortnight (and Fair Trade in general), check out Trade Aid’s site.
The sun’s been shining this week, just in time for a glowing debut from two members of the Just Write team, Megan and Houston, who took a look at HAPPINESS in this months issue of Tearaway Magazine! Check it out.
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
It’s been a really awful couple of weeks for natural disasters in Asia.
Cyclone Nargis has devastated Burma/Myanmar (find out why there are two names for this country) and another cyclone is forecast. Let’s hope this time the weather-people have got it wrong. According to the official figures of the Burmese government at least 38,500 have been killed, but the Red Cross say that number could be as high as 128,000. The United Nations estimate as many as 2.5 million people have been severely affected.
For heaps of info on the Burma Cyclone go to Reuters site, you could also watch a videoby an undercover BBC reporter about aid not getting through to those who need it, or read this story on Scoop describing how the military government is continuing to limit how many foreign aid workers are allowed in.
And on Monday (12 May) an earthquake hit China’s Sichuan region leaving 20,000 confirmed dead, and thousands more still buried under the rubble. The Guardian has an interactive guide on the disaster, or you could check out photos by award winning Guardian photographer Dan Chung.
President José Ramos Horta of East Timor has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the past few months after an attempt on his life that left him close to death. Nina Hall spoke with the President late last year about Timor’s future and despite the problems facing east Timor, Horta was feeling optimistic. His plans include a proposal to establish a national youth parliament, an idea that would empower young people and give them legislative power. Read the whole story on Scoop here.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Watch CNN’s “News to me” clip on Garbage Island, a part of the northern Pacific Ocean that is literally a floating island of rubbish, estimated to be twice the size of Texas!
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 is still screening around the country, showing 10 international feature films and 6 short films on a range of issues. After each screening, there is a discussion forum examining issues raised by the films. Go to the Human Rights Film Festival website for more information about the films and screening times.
ANTARCTIC YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Applications close 5pm on Friday 30th May 2008
There’s still time to apply for this amazing opportunity (if you’re aged 18-25). The Antarctic Youth Ambassador will be placed with Antarctica New Zealand during the summer months and will work as part of the environmental team. For more info and an application form visit the Sir Peter Blake Trust site.
NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT ESSAY COMPETITION
Closing date Saturday 31 May 2008
‘’What do you think can lead governments to stay away from, or do away with, nuclear weapons?’ You can write an essay (1500 words), or produce a video response of 2-5 minutes (posted on YouTube) or use your artistic talent to design a poster. For more info follow this link.
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY
31 May 2008
Globally, most people start smoking before the age of 18, and almost a quarter of these individuals begin using tobacco before the age of 10. The younger children are when they first try smoking, the more likely they are to become regular tobacco users and the less likely they are to quit. For more info and how you can get involved in the campaign to ban tobacco advertising, promo and sponsorship, visit the World Health Organisation site.
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS SITE
Drugs are in great demand and prices are high. But what is the real cost? In his article, Drug Money: The Real Cost, Ian Blythe takes a look at the global drug trade – who are the winners and losers?
Food is an integral part of human existence – we need it to survive. It is part of a global system linked to issues like trade, genetic modification famine, slavery, health, food miles and sustainability. Feast or Famine? looks at some of the issues behind the global food market.
IN THE JUST FOCUS FORUM
Play “kick a migrant” and compare your score: a silly game with a positive message about how migrants are really contributing to life in Australia - but it could be here in Aotearoa New Zealand, or anywhere!
Hangman005 asks: “What was the last Song you heard that got you thinking, got you questioning what you believe, or who you are (or have become)?” Find out which songs/bands people like and add your own to the list here.
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.
