Archive for May, 2008
Posted on May 29, 2008 - by Frank
Amnesty International Report 2008 - Video
Posted on May 27, 2008 - by Frank
David Bussau and Microenterprise - NZ Tour
He has been shot at, captured by pirates, stoned and survived two plane crashes, but this has not deterred Kiwi entrepreneur David Bussau from continuing his mission to fight poverty in developing countries.
TEAR Fund is privileged to host David Bussau while he tours New Zealand talking about how Microenterprise works and how it is empowering small business people in the developing world to break the poverty cycle. TEAR Fund NZ bases most of its microenterprise programmes on David’s revolutionary microenterprise model which has seen millions released from poverty.
Abandoned by his parents, David Bussau grew up in an orphanage in New Zealand (Masterton) before finding himself out on the street at 15 with nothing but his wits. Despite this he managed to accumulate significant wealth through building up and selling a whole series of businesses.
Posted on May 26, 2008 - by Frank
World Race - A Life Changing Experience
Twenty-somethings Embark on Journey of Self-Discovery and Service
Hundreds of twenty-somethings, compelled by issues of social justice and simple living, are leaving the comfort of their homes and possessions for a year to travel the world and serve others. They’re calling it a modern-day pilgrimage – an opportunity to find themselves and live amongst the poor.
Posted on May 25, 2008 - by Frank
Streetreach New Zealand - Video
Posted on May 23, 2008 - by Frank
NZ Prostitution Law Review Committee: Report
In June 2003, by the slimmest majority possible, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Prostitution Law Reform Act. This Act decriminalised prostitution in New Zealand and put in place provisions intended to protect the health and safety of those involved in the prostitution industry. The intent of the Act was not to make a definitive statement about the morality of prostitution, but only to legally protect those involved. The desire to protect those subject to the industry is a worthy one.
On May 14 2008 the Prostitution Law Review Committee presented its report on the impact of the law to the Associate Minister of Justice.
Posted on May 22, 2008 - by Frank
Burma / Myanmar Update - Word from the Field
First hand Report Ayerayawaddy District
We were invited to visit the affected area, an area that we had been to in the past, with a leader who was returning to his native village. He had been visiting his home village with his eleven year old son on the night of the storm.
As the wind and rain increased he had realised that there was going to be a lot of damage so he went from house to house in his community and persuaded people to move from their bamboo and wooden houses into the brick church building, The next morning he went with his son intoYangon for help, travelling by boat, motorbike and foot, arriving cold, wet and exhausted in the evening.
Posted on May 22, 2008 - by Frank
Syria and Israel Have Entered Indirect Peace Talks
Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 9:36 pm
Press Release: Israel Government
Prime Minister’s Office
Syria And Israel Have Started Indirect Peace Talks
Syria and Israel have started indirect peace talks, under the auspices of Turkey.
The two sides stated their intention to conduct these talks in good faith and with an open mind. They decided to pursue the dialogue between them in a serious and continuous way, in order to achieve the goal of comprehensive peace in accordance with the Madrid Conference terms of reference for peace.
Both sides thanked the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkey, for their role in this process and their generous hospitality.
ENDS
Note: For many this came as an unexpected announcement last night. Israel and Syria have not been engaged in peace talks for eight years, though statements suggest they have been in contact for the last year. A comprehensive agreement could be advantageous for both sides for many reasons, though there are many hurdles to be overcome, including control of the strategic Golan Heights that many Israeli’ citizens wish to retain under their administration. Syria’s place as a home base for many radical militant groups is seen as problematic as well.
Posted on May 20, 2008 - by Frank
From Debbie Baker - Streetreach
Streetreach is a confidential support service in New Zealand for those involved in Prostitution. Our aim is to address the route issue of why people get involved in prostitution.
Streetreach has always been committed to building relationships and addressing the needs of those involved in prostitution. Streetreach is a Christian based confidential support service for those involved in the sex industry
Since its beginning the one thing we have come to understand is that no matter how much a person has been through, we all have a need to be loved, respected, and valued. Streetreach wants to address what has happened in a womens life that makes them turn to prostitution. We believe that women should not be brought and sold as a sexual commodity.
We in Streetreach believe that its time to bring transition, to address the route problem of prostitution and to see lasting change in peoples lives.
Streetreach believes that prostitution is harmful, it robs those involved of their self worth and value. Constantly we see women on the streets who feel abused used and beaten; feeling like this is the only option for them.
Often when we talk to girls we find that they feel trapped and that the sex industry is all they can do. When delving deeper into the girl’s lives, quite often we will find that they have been a victim of abuse of some sort.
In the future we would like a drop in centre where the girls can come and get training and support out of the industry.
Here is a story from one of our girls:
Posted on May 19, 2008 - by Frank
Khulumani to Sue Multinationals
The South African Khulumani Support Group, a South African group representing 50,000 members who suffered under the apartheid regime that was enforced by the South African government between 1948 and 1994, has won the right to seek compensation from some of the world’s largest multinationals.
Khulumani is seeking compensation from multinationals they claim specifically enabled the military, police and intelligence agencies to carry out their violent and oppressive activities during that time. They claim provisions of finance, oil, weapons and computer technology were provided, resulting in the harassment of the people that now make up their membership.
(more…)
Posted on May 15, 2008 - by Frank
Slave Labour - India
Six young fashion heads from the U.K experience the labour in India used to make the clothes they love:
Filmed by BBC3.
Posted on May 13, 2008 - by Frank
Auckland Candlelight Vigil for Cyclone Victims
A candlelight vigil for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma/Myanmar is being held at Auckland University on Wednesday, May 14 from 6.00pm-8.00pm.
Organised by students from the Burma Support Group at Auckland University, the candlelight vigil is an opportunity for Aucklanders to come together to show their support for the millions of people affected by the cyclone, which devastated towns and villages in Burma on May 3.
(more…)
Posted on May 13, 2008 - by Frank
Burma / Myanmar: TEAR Fund Press Release
TEAR Fund has just dispatched an initial $50,000 to help its partner working on the ground in Myanmar, deliver much needed aid to the desperate Burmese people.
“While the situation regarding restrictions on external workers and aid flows is totally unacceptable, charitable funding given to TEAR Fund is getting through and being used wisely and effectively in this very difficult and almost unprecedented situation, “said TEAR Fund NZ executive director, Stephen Tollestrup. “In fact our partner’s team is working 24/7, in ways I can only describe as heroic.”
(more…)
Posted on May 12, 2008 - by Frank
Angels of Hope - Philippines Street Dwellers
Posted on May 8, 2008 - by Frank
MTV EXIT and Human Trafficking
Alerting all pop culture junkies - MTV has developed an awareness campaign called MTV EXIT whose aim is to draw attention to the human trafficking situation in our world.
From their website:
(more…)
Posted on May 5, 2008 - by Frank
Female Child Soldiers: Reintegration. Free Talks
Child Soldiers: Experiences and Reintegration of Girl Soldiers
World-renowned expert on child protection Dr Mike Wessells is visiting New Zealand in early May. He is a professor at Columbia University, an advisor to the United Nations and governments, and an author of several books. His most recent book, published last year, is Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection.
(more…)
Posted on May 4, 2008 - by Frank
NZ Human Rights Film Festival 2008
The Humanitarian Chronicle received this email regarding the New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival:
Dear Human Rights Supporter
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”
The Human Rights Network of Aotearoa is proud to present the fourth annual New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival - a cinematic event celebrating extraordinary people striving for success and achievement amidst the most difficult circumstances and conditions.
2008 is a particularly special year for the Human Rights movement as it’s the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the films shown during the festival not only celebrate how far we have come since the signing but also where work is still needed if the promise of the first Article - All human beings are born free and equal - is to be realised.
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