One World Centre Isle of Man

We were thrilled to launch the inaugural exhibition showcasing our Island Voices – Journeys to the Isle of Man project at the Manx Museum last week. The project was inspired by the findings in the 2016 Census that we have people living on the Isle of Man from 164 countries around the world – and that doesn’t include the UK, Eire or the Isle of Man itself!

We wanted to explore what brought people to the Isle of Man, how they found it when they arrived and what has kept them here. The responses we received show that although life on the Island may be very different to where they have come from, there are many shared  values among the participants as well as a positive approach to using their experiences to broaden their outlook on life. We were extremely lucky to have the services of photographer Milen Stankov, himself from Bulgaria, who has taken amazing portrait pictures of our participants.

We are also grateful to the Isle of Man Arts Council and Culture Vannin for their support of the project and to Manx Radio who broadcast a number of interviews with the participants late last year. The exhibition is a snapshot of the project at the current time; in the longer term we will be using the feedback we have gathered to produce an educational resource around changing populations, migration and global mobility. If you have moved to the Island from overseas and would liketo take part in the project, please get in touch.

Island Voices – Journeys to the Isle of Man is on display until 17th March.

Another year, another Fairtrade Primary Conference! Around 60 primary schoolchildren from around the Island joined us again for the 2018 conference where they learned about Fairtrade, how it benefits small scale farmers and producers across the world – and how working with Fairtrade helps them to support their families and communities.Students were welcomed to the event by the President of Tynwald Steve Rodan MHK and enjoyed a keynote speech from Leni and Maree of Shakti Man, who brought along lots of Fairtrade goods for the children to look at.

Then it was into a series of workshops, including a debate held in the Tynwald Chamber, and planning what Fairtrade events they would like to hold in their schools during this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight.

Another great day and thanks to all involved.

DO! Developing Orphans Quiz at Bar George on Tuesday 21 November

Please support DO! Developing Orphans annual quiz at 19:00 Bar George, Hill Street, Douglas, Tuesday 21st November. There will be an Isle of Man theme, so if you know/want to know your Mollag from your Thie Veg, come along.

£5 per person, with a maximum of 8 persons per team. Please book in advance:

Cheques (DO! Developing Orphans) to Helen Matthews DO! Treasurer 44 Ballanawin, Strang Union Mills IM4 4NT or Bank Transfers (include name) to: Isle of Man Bank Account 14081105 Sort Code 55-91-07

If you know anyone that wants to support a dynamic charity please let them know about DO!….this year DO! needs to raise money for a second tractor and have both Vocational and Primary School orphans requiring sponsorship.

Much of the work DO! undertakes is for the orphans and school and can be seen on the DO! face book page https://www.facebook.com/developingorphans

Thank you for your support- you are helping some off the poorest, most vulnerable children in the world.

The theme for this year’s One World Week is Good Neighbours; my world depends on us. This has stimulated a bring and share meal to be held in Douglas this Friday, 27th October, at the Eastcliffe Resource Centre, Victoria Avenue, Douglas IM2 4AL at 19:00. Come and join us! It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers, but if we all bring one dish there will be plenty of food to share.

This is a joint initiative between the One World Centre, the Muslim Community on the Isle of Man, and the World Development Committee of Churches Alive in Man.

After six years in post, our director Rosemary Clarke is retiring at Christmas. This means we are looking for a new person to lead the One World Centre forwards in the new year.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, experienced and committed individual to provide overall management of the Centre in promoting awareness of issues of global equity, justice, and a sustainable future, especially in the Island’s schools.

Based at St Johns, the Charity Director will preferably have experience of development education and management, an educational qualification, a passion for global issues, and proven success in fundraising. With excellent interpersonal skills, s/he will be a natural networker and manager, a competent communicator and have an ability to recognise and seize opportunities.

Hours to be agreed between 21 and 28 per week. A full job description and person specification can be found by clicking this link: Job Description Charity Director Oct 2017

The closing date for applications is 31st October 2017 with interviews expected to take place during the week commencing 13th November.

The One World Centre’s Global Village was one of five nominees for Community Initiative of the Year for Charities at the inaugural Responsible Business Awards held last Thursday night. We didn’t win – that honour went to Beach Buddies for the amazing work they have done in both clearing the beaches and drawing in a tenth of the Island’s population to help them! – but it was a great to be part of the event.

The Chartered Management Institute generously sponsored our attendance at the evening and we were delighted to be one of two charities drawn out of a hat to benefit from funds raised on the evening.  More than £450 will make a welcome contribution to our resources.

Once again it is time to look back over the last year and reflect on the work of the One World Centre.  As well as presenting our Annual Report and Accounts, we are delighted to be able to welcome Kristene Sutcliffe to talk about a new film from Stage Door called Three Mothers.  It will be premiered next month but we will get a sneak preview of part of the film and learn about Baldrine being turned into Senegal for the day.

Do come and join us at 1900 at Green’s Cafe in St Johns.