Newsletter 27 SEPT 06
STUFF HAPPENING AT JUST FOCUS
It’s been a quiet week in the Just Focus office as Eva and Lena are both off in the beautiful South – Eva’s doing some youthworker training, and Lena’s exploring the island and hanging out with the Save Happy Valley crew. When she returns we’ll have an update for ya of how the campaign is going …
Meanwhile, Kim’s here though, so if you fancy having a go at writing something for the site – anything from a film review, a poem, an article on an issue, to a story with a global twist – just drop her a mail (info@justfocus.org.nz) – it’s SO quiet she’d really love to hear from you!
RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
You’ve probably seen in the news that the King of Tonga recently died, and that there is now talk of this Pacific island monarchy heading towards constitutional and democratic reform. Our Prime Minister, Helen Clark, said: “There’s been enormous division in Tonga and I think there’s an opportunity to move ahead… There’s a new prime minister. There’s a will for change, I believe, and we will support that however we can.” But the new King is not keen…
Find out more by watching the video “Tonga - An Island On The Brink” on Scoop.
“The Worst Humanitarian Crisis in the World” (UN)
Thousands of people in Darfur (in western Sudan, in eastern Africa) are still being killed, raped and displaced from their homes. The UN says 23,000 peacekeepers are needed now - to protect civilians and implement the Peace Agreement which was signed in May. Sign Amnesty’s petition online – they want 23,000 signatures for the peacekeepers. Join the campaign here . For more info on what’s happening and why read the BBC Quick Guide to Darfur .
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOU TO BE PART OF
Your chance to write to the nation!
Are you passionate about current issues facing New Zealand? Do you have an opinion/want your opinion to be heard? Do you want to speak to New Zealand? Are you aged between 15-30 years old?
Just Focus member Geoff Cooper, and six other young kiwis, have set up an interesting project for young people in Aotearoa. “Dear New Zealand” aims to produce a book of letters, written by young NZers (aged 15-30) on a number of issues, including Social Justice, Environmental Sustainability, New Zealand’s International Relations and Cultural Understanding/Identity. You can read Geoff’s letter here on the Just Focus site.
Interested in writing a letter? Find out more on the Dear New Zealand website . Submissions close 30th November so get writing!
Party against Poverty!
With help from C4, Oxfam is hosting Oxjam - a nationwide month of music with a message: that together we can bring an end to extreme poverty.
Find out how you can get involved by visiting Oxfam’s site – go along to a gig, volunteer at an event or even put on your own Oxjam– like Live8 in your back yard!
And remember to keep an eye on the Events page .
NEW STUFF ON THE JUST FOCUS WEBSITE
Mariana Gledhill has written an article on the problems people in developing countries face when they need to get life-saving drugs. The drugs exist, but are often too expensive as the companies that make them protect their profits with patents.
The companies “argue that honouring of patents is necessary, because they say that Research and Development is expensive. Without the honouring of patents, drug companies will not want to make new drugs. This claim has been disputed. The largest drug companies are the most profitable in the world and they only spend 15% of their budgets on Research and Development, which mostly involves the testing of the drugs.”
Read more about this very important issue in her article “The Pharmaceutical Industry: TRIPSy!”
Kayt Bronnimann’s, “Vegetarianism… Make the Move!” discusses issues surrounding the meat industry.
When you think of issues of global justice, vegetarianism is not one that immediately comes to mind…It may seem that vegetarianism is an individual choice has little effect in the wider scheme of things. However, the benefits of a vegetarian diet are widespread and effect more than just animals.
Read the rest of her article .
And Corinna Howland wrote an article for Jet magazine on the Pacific Youth Festival– you can now read it here now.
LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Check out this version of ‘Monster Mash’ on climate change
Do you or your family buy books? If so, check out Goodbooks, the online bookstore with a conscience. Their offer is simple: every time you buy a book from Goodbooks - any book - they contribute all the profits to Oxfam to help fight its global battle against poverty and social injustice. There is no extra cost to you. They do not mark up books to cover this contribution; prices remain among the lowest you will find, and delivery world wide is completely free. With over two million titles in stock our range is one of the largest and our international delivery times cannot be beaten.
Help them open a new chapter in the fight against in equality.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
Podcast : Newsdesk special: Bono
During a trip to Mali to make sure the money he’s campaigned for is getting to the people who need it, Bono tells the Guardian’s economics editor, Larry Elliott, why he’s optimistic that Africans will lift themselves from poverty - and how his daughter’s piano teacher is helping him write songs. Listen on your computer or download it free from iTunes. (28 mins)
NEW STUFF FOR YOU
If you haven’t already seen it, and you eat McDonalds, you’ve got to watch “Supersize Me” – a doco about the American obesity epidemic – which is fast happening in the rest of the developed world, including NZ). Watch what happens when filmmaker Morgan Spurlock goes on a 30 day straight McDonalds diet. This movie won a heap of awards and is entertaining as well as horrific!
This film – and heaps of other great films - is available to borrow FREE from the Global Education Centre. Email info@justfocus.org for info on how to borrow them.
GOT SOMETHING GOING ON?
Want to add stuff to the next newsletter, the Events Page or to write an Article or take a photo for the Just Focus website? Email info@justfocus.org, it’s great to hear from you.
