One World Centre Isle of Man

Manx residents, Hugh and Sandra Davidson, are working with Oxfam, co-funding a project in Bangladesh, and invited the One World Centre Director, Rosemary Clarke, to visit the project with Alex Wotton from Manx Radio and Pete Smith from Oxfam.  Rosemary was delighted to see the way that women in rural areas with very little education are being empowered to develop their business skills.  Some have chosen milk and, by marketing together, they have increased both their income and their spare time.  Others are growing maize or chilli alongside rice and vegetables.

One person now has a tube well; another rebuilt and furnished her home; a third bought a sewing machine to be able to generate more income.  Several were enjoying wearing saris that they had chosen for themselves – in the past they were not allowed to go to the market and had to depend on the selection a male member of their family made.

A big thank you to the United Nations Association of the Isle of Man for not only providing a very interesting talk from Tim Cullen at the UN Day Annual Address on 24 October but also for donating the proceeds from the event to the One World Centre. Pictured are William Cain from the UNAIOM, Tim Cullen and Phil Craine, chair of the One World Centre.

This year One World Week runs from 21-28th October on the theme of “Sharing Destiny – Moving Towards One World”  In the aftermath of the Sustainable Development Summit in Rio, the Olympics and Paralympics, this could help capture the imagination and provide the inspiration to contribute to building an equitable future for all.  Find out more here.

In the Summer Term 2011 all the pupils at St John’s School were involved in the design and painting of a mural to go outside our office.  Our Patron, Lord Lieutenant Adam Wood, received the individual pieces from the children and the Forestry Department erected it on our outside wall.

A plaque explaining each piece has been ordered from the Manx Workshop for the Disabled.  Do come and have a look!

We would like to thank all all St John’s for their creative work.

Come and join us for our AGM next Friday, 21st September, at Jabberwocky, Douglas.  The formal part begins at 1730, will be brief and will be followed by the multi-media presentation: 1.4 Billion Reasons.  Kristina Crawford, the Island’s Global Poverty Ambassador, will be stimulating us to think more about life beyond our shores.

Wendy Shimmin has started work this week helping us with our fundraising efforts.  She comes from a background in Marketing/PR and journalism, most recently working at Britannia International, part of the Co-operative Group. Wendy has had a long-term interest in global issues stemming from years of travelling prior to settling down in the Isle of Man.  “Now I have children of my own, I am keen to ensure they have an understanding and respect for people in other parts of the world and they appreciate both the global impacts and the opportunities they have to influence this in the way they live.  I know fundraising in the current economic climate will not be easy but am really looking forward to working with Rosemary and the One World Centre to help make sure our young people have wide horizons.”

Apologies for removing the information early.  I have reinstated the page with the information and would like to confirm that the closing date is 1200 this Friday, 29 June, at 1200 noon and the interviews will be on Wednesday 11 July.