One World Centre Isle of Man

Following the showing of the film In Transition 2 10 days ago, it was decided to meet again this Friday, 27th April, in the Java Lounge at 1930.  This is to give the opportunity to get to know each other a bit better, celebrate what is already happening and see what more we can do on the Island.   Do come and join us!

We were disappointed to learn that our Service Level Agreement with the Department of Education and Children will cease at the end of this academic year.  As work with schools is our main focus, this leaves us with the need to broaden our funding base.  At the moment we are drawing up a fundraising strategy and we would welcome ideas.  We believe that, at a time when the Island is tightening its belt, it is more important that ever to think about our relationships around the world where more than half the population is living on less than £1/day.

Friday night, 13th April, sees the last of our season of films at Java Lounge, 1930.  We will be showing In Transition 2 which is an inspirational immersion in the Transition movement, gathering stories from around the world of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. You’ll hear about communities printing their own money, growing food, localising their economies and setting up community power stations. It’s an idea that has gone viral, a social experiment that is about responding to uncertain times with solutions and optimism. In a world of increasing uncertainty, here is a story of hope, ingenuity and the power of growing vegetables in unexpected places.

Since September 18 groups of sixth form students have been working hard on this challenge.  First they had to select a Manx charity that works overseas, or an overseas charity that has received funding from our Overseas Aid Committee.  Then they had to research their work, learn about the Millennium Development Goals, assess how effectively the charity was meeting the goals, find out what the impace of the charity was on the life of a young person and turn their learning into a 12 minute presentation.

The teams were competing for money for their charity from a prize fund donated by the H and S Davidson Trust with matched funding from the Overseas Aid Committee, and the Frances Davidson Cup.

One team from each of 5 secondary schools and the College then competed in the final on 21st March.  It was a close run finish, with 6 very impressive presentations.  The winner was Castle Rushen High School with a presentation about Kids in Need of Education – KINOE

Action Aid is offering a 9 month placement in an Indian village studied by many children in the UK and the Isle of Man.  It is a voluntary position but travel expenses, accommodation and a local wage will be covered, and it starts in May this year.

To learn more about this potentially life-changing opportunity, you need to apply by 14th March.  Please click here for more information.