One World Centre Isle of Man

With the election only days away, we have collated replies from candidates on their attitude to international development and aid. You can see their answers here.

Not all prospective MHKs have replied (come on Arbory!) so maybe you would like to ask your candidates the same questions if their answer does not yet appear.

International aid saves and improves lives around the world but is still a contentious issue for those who believe the money should stay on-Island. With a general election coming up and the prospect of new MHKs in Tynwald, we look at why it’s important to take a global perspective as well as a local one.

Read our article here.

We are hearing many voices of concern from Island residents concerning events in Afghanistan.

Even before the Taliban takeover, the UN projected that some 12 million people (30% of the population) would face insecurity and malnutrition. 3.5 million are displaced and this number can be expected to rise. The UN has called on neighbouring states to keep their borders open to those fleeing. We are suggesting that anyone wishing to help in the short term consider donations to charities which are already working with those in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan as well as those who have fled. These include the British Red Cross, UNICEF, International Rescue Committee and the UN Refugee Agency.

The UK Government is setting up a scheme to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over the next five years. The One World Centre fully supports the Isle of Man’s proportionate participation in such a scheme. We understand that the Government’s External Relations department has already had conversations with their UK counterparts on this issue and the External Relations team will brief the new administration after the General Election is concluded. Many charities in the UK have been overwhelmed with donations of clothes and household items for incoming Afghan families so please note we are not collecting at the present time.

We have been pleased to work with Manx National Heritage to create a Google Arts and Culture online story about the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its connections to Peel, now available here: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/aAWRvefqDZ8o4g

The presentation is based on a guided walk put together by One World Centre chair Phil Craine and focuses on the locations and past residents of Peel involved with the “Guinea Trade”, as it was euphemistically known, using artefacts and resources from the Island’s national museum collections and archives. 

The Google Arts and Culture story forms part of a series of educational projects that reflect on the impact slavery had in fostering racial and cultural prejudice and injustice which are still playing out in society today. It also highlights that slavery is not consigned to history, with forms of modern slavery still occurring around the world.

Just a reminder the closing date for the art competition is Friday 23rd July. If you have any difficulty in getting your entry in – for example, if you are currently isolating – please call 800464 and we will make alternative arrangements.

Thank you to everyone who made the Global Village such a fantastic event last week. It was a great celebration of cultural diversity – both in food and performances – and it was brilliant to have charities and groups working in the international development and sustainable development space come along too.

There are lots of photos on our Facebook page here.