One World Charity Challenge

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

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Fair Trade Fortnight

We were delighted to welcome Massatoma Mounkoro from Mali.  He represents cotton farmers who are part of a large Fairtrade Co-operative.  Business people, farmers, MHKs, and Schools all had a chance to learn from him.

We will be meeting soon to review our Fairtrade Island Status.  Please contact us if you would like to help with this process.

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Would you like to teach in Chembakolli?

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.

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Stamp Collecting

Today four Eco Warriers from the Peel Clothworkers’ Primary School came in to hand over the stamps they have been collecting for the Leprosy Mission.

Derek Hartley is currently on the Island and will be taking all the stamps which have been collected by schools, churches and individuals to the UK at the weekend.  Last opportunity to bring stamps to St Johns Church is 1000 Friday 17th February.

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UN Graduate Study Programme

 Each Year one post graduate student from the Isle of Man has the opportunity to take part in the UN Graduate Study Programme.  This is a two-week summer school held at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva. It aims to deepen understanding of the concerns of the United Nations, from peacekeeping to human rights, development to the environment. The course in 2012 runs from 2 to 13 July, and the theme is ‘Opportunities and Challenges in a world of 7 billion’. Further information about the programme can be found at www.unog.ch or from Phil Craine of IoM UNA on 672224 or pcraine@christian-aid.org 
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Global Poverty Ambassador

Kristina Crawford, Assistant to the Head of Sixth Form at St Ninian’s High School, has just been appointed as a Global Poverty Ambassador.  She was whisked down to London last week to meet Bill Gates and learn more about her new role.  As one of 70 Ambassadors in the British Isle, she will be raising awareness of the reality of extreme poverty – and help us to understand what we can do to help eradicate it.

Today Tynwald is considering a report from the Overseas Aid Committee.  At a time of cutbacks in services on the Island, there is pressure to reduce what we give to those in other countries.  At the moment we give 0.06% of our Gross National Income, less than 10% of that recommended by the United Nations.  We look forward to supporting Kristina in the presentations she will be making.  Please use this link to our Contacts page to book her.

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Christmas Tree Winners

At the Awards Dinner on Saturday we were delighted to be presented with a certificate and picture of our Christmas tree to mark joint first prize from the judges, and joint second prize in the public vote.  As well as giving us an opportunity to raise awareness of how our Island is connected to many countries around the world, the event was a fundraiser for Save the Children.

The picture shows Rosemary (right) and Amy from King William’s College, who shared the award, which was presented by First Deemster, David Doyle QC

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African Resources

The African Book Centre is moving to smaller premises and is offering up to 70% off nearly 1000 items.  You may be interested to purchase books or music for yourself, or you may like to recommend some for us to buy and hold in the resource centre.  Please use the Contact page to make some suggestions.  This offer ends 31st January.

See the catalogues (arranged by region) by clicking here

 

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Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight: 27th February-11th March

As part of the Fair Trade group on the Island, we are about to publish the details of events arranged for Fairtrade Fortnight.  Look out for opportunities to meet Massatoma, who represents Cotton Farmers in Mali.

Perhaps you’d like your school to take part in the Fairtrade Cotton Bunting Competition, details of which can be found via this Word document.

Winners of Christmas tree competition

We were delighted that our celebration of the Isle of Man’s international links earned us joint first prize in the judges category, and joint second prize in the public vote!  Thank you for your contributions to the tree, and for your votes.  We hope to launch a wiki site soon to enable folk around the world to upload their stories about connections to the Island.

Film Evening

On Friday 20th January at 1930 we will be showing The Economics of Happiness at the Java Lounge.  Admission Free (Donations welcome).

Welcome to our new-look web page!

Martin has spent many hours constructing our new website, and enabling us to update it ourselves.  I hope this will ease the communications challenges that have occurred following the change in staffing.

If you’re looking for any information from our old website, which we’ve yet to transfer to this new layout, you may view the old site temporarily at old.oneworldcentreiom.org (page opens in a new tab/window ).

Fair Trade

Fair Trade Fortnight begins on Monday 27th February.  We are working to renew our Fair Trade Island Status by the end of the fortnight.  You can help us!  We have a short survey that you could try in your neighbourhood.  You could join our steering group.  Fancy recording a Thought for the Day?  Perhaps you could compile an exhibition for your local library or another central venue.  Please use our contacts page to get in touch.

We are looking forward to welcoming a Malian who represents Fair Trade Cotton Farmers during the second week, and will post details of the events in our diary.

Christmas Trees at the Airport

We were delighted to take part in this year’s Christmas tree display, organised by Save the Children. Our theme was Manx Connections around the World and we were delighted by all the connections given in advance or added to the tree by visitors. We kept it personal, but simple.  Here are some examples:

  • Rosemary worked in Iraq 1991-92
  • June was born in Singapore
  • Rosa’s PhD thesis is based in Romania

We found connections with many places including St Helena, Tristan da Canha and Samoa.

Soon we will be launching a new Wiki site that will enable people around the world to tell their own stories of connections with the Isle of Man.

Independent Cinema

Every other Friday evening during the winter months we meet at Java Lounge for a movie that is unlikely to be screened elsewhere on the Island.  Admission is free, but we appreciate donations to cover costs, and to support the work of the One World Centre.    We expect to show the next film in the series on Friday 20th January 2012 at 1930.

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New home in St John’s

The One World Centre has moved! You can now find us in the old Forestry board building in St John’s – opposite the saw mill.

We’re very grateful to the Manx Co-operative for providing us with a home for the last 4 years, their friendship and support.

Many thanks to DEFA for providing us with a fantastic space, our new contact details are:

Thie Garey ny Cloie
Foxdale Road,
St John’s
Isle of Man
IM4 3AS

(01624) 800464

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