=================================================== N E T W O R K I N G N E W S L E T T E R # 5 9 =================================================== DECEMBER 2004 (printed/distributed: 29.11.04) Welcome to December's "Networking Newsletter" by email. A PDF version, complete with (colour) photos is available online either at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/59/nn59.pdf (2.8Mb download) A web version of this newsletter will be available shortly at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/59 and the latest newsletter at any given time can always be found at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/latest.shtml For the very latest news remember to visit our "stop press" web page at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/stop_press.shtml and events updated daily at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar and full dates of groups are at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Contacts Please pass this email on and encourage people to sign up to our various email lists by sending an email to signUp@networkingnewsletter.org.uk or visiting http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/feedback.html Enjoy! [Michael] ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* CONTENTS -------- 1: MPS VOTE FOR TRADE JUSTICE 2: SPEAK UP FOR GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGNS 3: FREE PALESTINE 4: ACTION STATIONS! 5: CARE LEAVERS 6: WHO GOES THERE: IMMUNE SYSTEM FRIEND OR FOE? 7: CAMPAIGNING FOR DISABLED RIGHTS 8: RESOURCES REVEALED 9: HEBDEN WOODLAND DESTROYED... FOR ECO-HOMES 10: DO SUMMAT 11: TRADE JUSTICE NEEDS MORE THAN A BAND AID 12: FAIR TRADE FAIR 13: ASYLUM SEEKERS FESTIVE APPEAL 14: KEEP OFF THE GRASS 15: PARK'N'RIDE NOT DRIVE'N'QUEU 16: SUSTAINABLE LEARNING 17: EVENTS LISTING 18: CONTACTS 19: EDITORIAL 20: WORTH WHILE WEB 21: STANDING ORDERS 22: COPYRIGHT NOTICE ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* 1: MPS VOTE FOR TRADE JUSTICE Actions to collect the target of 30,000 Manchester Votes for Trade Justice have intensified with cards going out to UNISON and with stalls on the streets. After the success of getting Clare Short to sign at MMU, stalls have taken place in different locations including St. Ann's Square and Longsight. Gorton Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman turned up to our stall in Fallowfield, but came earlier than expected so being missed by our photographer. However he signed a card (below) and our petition and gave us a useful quote: "In a world over-brimming with affluence we must never forget the huge number of people who are living in poverty and below subsistence levels. It is our duty to help them to help themselves." With thousands more cards waiting for votes, TJM will be on the street throughout the winter and are happy to come to your Fairtrade fairs and other events. Stephen Pennells, Manchester Trade Justice Movement pennells@fish.co.uk http://www.tjm.org.uk/action.shtml --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2: SPEAK UP FOR GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGNS A recent report by the National Audit Office ("Getting Citizens Involved: Community Participation in Neighbourhood Renewal" at http://www.nao.org.uk/publications) backs up what the Networking Newsletter has been thinking: that grass roots community groups have too little influence on local strategic partnerships (LSPs) which are meant to be "identifying local priority neighbourhoods; diagnosing their problems; and designing appropriate responses, building on activities already underway in the areas concerned" according to the Manchester LSP. The Networking Newsletter raised its concerns in the recent Manchester LSP survey and has been asked to a meeting with the Chair of the Manchester Community Engagement Strategy Working Group to discuss the problems and possible solutions. If you have any thoughts you would like us to put forward then please let us know by email by 31 December. A report from the meeting will appear in February's issue. Michael, Networking Newsletter michael@networkingnewsletter.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3: FREE PALESTINE The Manchester Forum for Palestine are celebrating UN Human Rights Day (10 December) by holding a variety of events in Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday 11 December. They wish to raise the issues over Palestine, particularly Israel's building of a wall through the West Bank. Israel claims the wall is solely to stop terrorist attacks on its people. However, the wall separates 300,000 Palestinians from their land, resources, families, schools, medical centers and livelihoods, imposing conditions in which they are forced to abandon their cities and villages. Both the UN and the International Court of Justice have ruled that the present path of the wall violates international law and imposes immense and unnecessary suffering on the Palestinian population, demanding that Israel stop construction of the Wall and demolish the existing sections. Israel refuses to comply The "Free Palestine" events will include speeches, poetry, street theatre with a "die-in" in front of an Israeli tank, a gun-post with recent images from Palestine,a collective writing of "Free Palestine" with candles, songs, music, alternative carols, videos and other activities. The event is has been called in the space of the Manchester Forum for Palestine by Jews For Justice For Palestinians, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, The General Union of Palestinian Students, University Friends of Palestine, Stop the War Coalition, Manchester ISM, CND & the Iraqi Solidarity Campaign. Manchester Forum for Palestine manchesterforumpalestine@lists.riseup.net --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4: ACTION STATIONS! Did you know that the BBC GMR radio station is eager to publicize community groups' events and recruitment drives? Their Action Line, staffed by volunteers from CSV Media, is a focus for producing on air appeals, whether for volunteers to assist overhauling a hospice garden or a local community group looking for second hand furniture with a dozen 30 second broadcasts daily. Many of the issues or initiatives become "social action campaigns" taken on by the whole of BBC GMR. To get yourself in the media spotlight contact the Action Desk, GMR 0161 244 4321 gmr.actiondesk@bbc.co.uk http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/actionline.shtml THAT'S NOT ALL! If you're based or have events in Ardwick, Longsight or Levenshulme, then don't forget ALL FM's Community Show who're also happy to publicize your activities: David Armes 0161 248 6888 community@allfm.org http://www.allfm.org --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5: CARE LEAVERS The Care Leavers Association (CLA), a not for profit group run by care leavers for care leavers, has opened its first national office, here in Manchester. Opening an office marks an important, exciting new chapter for the organization and is down to the voluntary effort of its members. The CLA is an ever-growing union of care leavers who actively advocate and support radical change within the care system and services for care leavers. The CLA also acts to protect, promote and strengthen rights for care leavers and to empower members through support, education and training. CLA's mission is to challenge public perceptions and negative stereotypes of children in care and care leavers, and to create an environment where care leavers are respected and get the support and services they need and deserve. Victoria Hull, CLA, St. Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North M12 6FZ 0161 275 9500 http://www.careleavers.com MANCHESTER CARERS Manchester Carers Forum, that exists to provide a collective voice for carers in the City of Manchester, have launched a web site: http://www.manchestercarers.forum.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 6: WHO GOES THERE: IMMUNE SYSTEM FRIEND OR FOE? Artisticus is running a series of combined creative writing & visual arts workshops that will explore workings of the human immune system as a metaphor for social, cultural and political concerns. For example, how the immune system defines and labels: Self & Other; Normal & not Normal; Natural & Unnatural; Healthy & Unhealthy; Native and Foreign; and Fish & Chips and Curry. The workshop will explore how society excludes people by labelling them "Other", "Foreign", "not Normal" etc & will also look at co-option and assimilation when "Them" becomes "Us". In partnership with Commonword, there is a workshop for Disabled or Deaf people (Sat 11 Dec) and another for disabled and Black or Ethnic minority (Sat 15 Jan): see Events Listing on page 6 onwards for full details. There are limited places so please book early by contacting (preferably by email or letter) Mickey Fellowes, Artisticus, St. Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ 0161 273 4664 artisticus@supanet.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7: CAMPAIGNING FOR DISABLED RIGHTS Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People is an organisation of disabled people that is controlled, managed and run by disabled people themselves. The organisation has a 20 year history of fighting for the rights of disabled people specifically in Greater Manchester and generally all over the country. To play an even more important and effective role in the Disabled Peoples' Movement and campaigns for disabled peoples' rights, GMCDP is setting up a campaigns sub-group and looking for people who are interested in getting involved with campaigns. They are in the early stages of setting up this group and so far there have not been any meetings fixed yet. In the meantime, people who are interested in getting involved can contact the GMCDP office to register their interest. Nadim Khawaja, GMCDP, Aked Close, Ardwick, Manchester M12 4AN 0161 276 0047 info@gmcdp.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- 8: RESOURCES REVEALED Community Technical Aid Centre have launched an online "Resource Finder" database at http://www.ctac.co.uk/resources. You can add items you have to share or search for things to help your group, whether it's volunteers, expertize, equipment, training or information. Ann Hunter, CTAC 0161 234 2950 resources@ctac.co.uk The Networking Newsletter's list of resources is available online at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Resources and will be published in Janurary's newsletter so please let us know of any updates. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9: HEBDEN WOODLAND DESTROYED... FOR ECO-HOMES At the end of October, woodland in Hebden Bridge was destroyed to make way for some, so-called, eco-houses, by a firm calling itself Green Tops. Obviously the understanding of sustainable development hasn't permeated into the management's skulls (although we bet cashing in on the idea is what drives them. ed). Residents from all of the town are appalled at the action and held a mass protest. The feeling of the villagers can be summed up by Chris Ratcliffe who said at the protest, "The trees were important but this wasn't just a story of tree protesters. This is people fighting against the destruction of the Hebden Bridge we love. This is people fighting to stop their houses falling down the hillside." More information on the ongoing campaign from http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10: DO SUMMAT The Manchester Collective have been busy spotting subvertized adverts, such as above which highlights the need for us to combat global climatic change. For more information on the issues and how to get active take a peek at their web site http://www.dosummat.org.uk/subvertpage.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- 11: TRADE JUSTICE NEEDS MORE THAN A BAND AID The gap between rich and poor is wider than ever. Global injustices such as poverty, AIDS, malnutrition, conflict and illiteracy remain rife. Despite the promises of world leaders, at our present sluggish rate of progress the world will fail dismally to reach internationally agreed targets to halve global poverty by 2015. World poverty is sustained, not by chance or nature, but by: injustice in global trade; the huge burden of debt; and insufficient, ineffective aid. Each of these is exacerbated by inappropriate economic policies imposed by rich countries. MakePovertyHistory is a UK coalition of charities, trade unions, campaigning groups, faith communities and celebrities who are mobilising around key opportunities in 2005 to drive forward the struggle against poverty and injustice. 2005 offers an exceptional series of opportunities for the UK to take a lead internationally to start turning things around. Next year, as the UK hosts the annual G8 gathering of world leaders and heads up the European Union, the UK government will be a particularly influential player on the world stage. By mobilising popular support across a unique string of events and actions, MakePovertyHistory will press our own government to compel rich countries to fulfil their obligations and promises to eradicate poverty and to rethink some long-held assumptions. Worldwide, organisations and individuals will echo this call as part of the Global Call for Action Against Poverty. MakePovertyHistory is calling for urgent action to improve the lives of millions of poor people around the world who have to live on less than a dollar a day. It is urging action on trade, debt and aid. A North of England Conference to build the mobilisation will be held on April 9 2005. Please put it in your diary and tell your friends. More information will follow. Chris Worrall, Oxfam (0161 838 5620) http://www. MakePovertyHistory.org ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - ********************************************* DO THEY KNOW IT'S AFRICA? Recognise these: "There's a world outside your window, And it's a world of dread and fear, Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears" or "Where nothing ever grows"? The World Development Movement thinks lyrics of the Band Aid 20 single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", while well intentioned, are promoting a negative & inaccurate picture of Africa's problems. The song perpetuates the myth that Africa's problems can some-how be blamed on lack of rainfall and failed harvests. It conjures up an image of a continent inhabited entirely by starving children with flies on their faces sitting in a dried up stream. African poverty is not an unfortunate accident of geography and climate. It is largely the result of damaging policies such as free trade forced on Africa by rich countries. The problem in Ethiopia today is not that nothing will grow, the problem is that the coffee that they are growing is worthless because of the mismanagement of the global economy by countries like ours. WDM don't want to discourage anyone from buying the single but we are very disappointed that it wasn't rewritten to provide a more accurate reflection of Africa. We want to promote discussion about what the song could say and what the issues are. That is why we have decided to provide a space for the public to publish their own version of the Band Aid lyrics. Lyrics that inspire people to take powerful action and lyrics that explain the real reasons why Africa remains poor. To submit your alternative lyrics, read the efforts of others and find out more about how third world debt and unfair trade rules effect Africa go to: http://www.wdm.org.uk/lyrics --------------------------------------------------------------------- 12: FAIR TRADE FAIR In the middle of November, Stockport Fair Trade Group, supported by Stockport Council, held a Fair Trade Fair at Stockport College. The event was a great success, people kept pouring into the college, signing Trade Justice petitions, buying Fair Trade goodies and drinking Fair Trade coffee! The event took over 7000. There were lots of like minded people from Unicorn Grocery, Body Shop, Limited Resources, Oxfam, Gtr Manchester Play Resources, and lots of not so well known stalls such as Fair Trade South Africa, Pachacuti and Fair Trade Footballs. Hopefully turning the excess consumerism of Christmas on its head to provide real benefits for some of the world's poorest people: see you all next year! Chris Cooper chrisandcarrie@chrisandcarrie.freeserve.co.uk The Didsbury Fair Trade Fair is being held on Saturday 4 Dec at Emmanuel Church, Barlow Moor Road from 10:30am until 3:30pm. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13: ASYLUM SEEKERS FESTIVE APPEAL Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers organizes a social at this time of year (Sat 18 Dec) for asylum seekers. For some adults and familes this may be the only festive event they attend and the aim is to make it as good as possible for everyone. MCDAS are asking for donations of all kinds, toiletries, vouchers, money (to help pay for the food etc), new toys, presents for older children and adults, particularly suitable presents for children over 10 to be sent to MCDAS c/o NCADC, 1, Delaunays Rd, Crumpsall Green, Manchester, M8 4QS or contact Lynda Shentall (07793 007 361). Oldham Unity (the Oldham equivalent) have started a destitution project and are appealing for donations of food. If you and/or your group can collect the items (eg baked beans, tinned tomatoes, cooking oil, sugar, rice, pasta, milk (long life), tinned tuna/sardines, orange juice (long life), stock cubes, soup or tea) and/or volunteer please call 07949 844 081 or email oldhamtuc@ntlworld.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14: KEEP OFF THE GRASS At the end of October, around 20 students and staff from the University of Manchester held a picnic in protest at plans to build on one of the largest green spaces on campus. The area outside the Architecture and Planning Department, near the University Precinct on Oxford Road, is thronged by sun-worshipers and lunchtime picnicers during the summer months. However, as part of the recent merger with UMIST, the University plans to build a new building there for the planning and landscape and IDPM departments. Although suggestions have been submitted for ways in which the building could be made more sustainable, many have been ignored. The idea of putting solar panels on the roof has not been accepted and this, combined with the additional parking spaces in the new 14 story car park (the other side of the present Architecture building), means that the University is seriously contradicting its stragetic plan's commitment to making the University an environmentally friendly workspace. Katy Patrick 0161 232 1754, kfk_uk@hotmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- 15: PARK'N'RIDE NOT DRIVE'N'QUEUE Thinking of doing a spot of Christmas shopping in town next weekend? Well, rather than drive endlessly around the city centre looking for a parking spot, why not try the Christmas park and ride bus services into the city centre which are running every 10 minutes from north and south Manchester every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. Secure car parks are at Siemens, off Princess Parkway, and Heaton Park Parkside car park, off Sheepfoot Lane. Parking is free at both locations and shuttle bus fares are 2 return for adults (unfort not per car. ed) and 1 return for GMPTE concessionary permit holders with children travelling free. Chris Mulligan, director general of Gtr Mcr Passenger Transport Executive, said: "Demand for parking in Manchester city centre is always very high in the run up to Christmas and Park and Ride is proving a useful way of coping with it. Last year's scheme in south Manchester was popular with users and ran extremely smoothly. It showed that drivers are more than happy to leave their cars behind in safety and take the bus into town without the worry of having to find a parking space. The park and rides are great value for money and offer a convenient and pleasant way to travel into the city centre. I urge people to take advantage." Travel Line 0870 608 2 608 http://www.gmpte.com/christmas --------------------------------------------------------------------- 16: SUSTAINABLE LEARNING Are you interested in learning more purposefully from your life and work experience, finding ways to demonstrate your values in your practice, relating more constructively to people at work, unlocking your creativity and potential, or getting feedback and reflective space to learn how to align your actions with your intentions? Then you might wish to form a small, supportive action learning group along with others who want to make personal and workplace changes towards a better, more sustainable world. I currently freelance as a writer (for organisations) and have just completed an MSc in Responsibility and Business Practice (which was concerned with sustainability and participation) where we learnt through "learning sets". I want to share this experience with others: it's a very developmental thing. The idea would be for people to learn through a self-organising, self-facilitating experience. I have various facilitative skills and theories that I would contribute and am happy to offer to convene a learning set and provide initial facilitation & ideas to enable the group to become self-organising. To explore how this might work or to express an interest, contact Lynne: Lynne Richmond 0780 141 8703 lynne@lrconsult.clara.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 17: EVENTS LISTING Since the events listed is updated so often and a mailing containing latest dates was sent out to the netNews-action list on Sun 28 Nov, we've not repeated the information here. The latest dates are on web site http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar or email us and we'll send them to you. REGULAR EVENTS ARE LISTED SEPARATELY Please see the online listing at http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Calendar/regular.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18: CONTACTS Space is too limited to list all our contacts here, so we humbly suggest you visit our web page http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk/Contacts An email or paper copy is available upon request by emailing contacts-request@networkingnewsletter.org.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19: EDITORIAL Another busy year draws to a close. We've attempted to do a newsletter each month to keep you right up to date on campigns in and around Manchester on issues of peace, development, environment, human rights, animal rights and other areas of social justice. We think we've done pretty well, but welcome your feedback! This month's newsletter is, as ever, packed with news and events (sorry for the small fonts & lack of photos!). But don't forget our web site which is updated almost daily and has more in-depth, searchable, coverage of the issues (the address is at the bottom of the page). Next month's issue will include our comprehensive contacts & resources listings, so if you're not already a subscriber please use the form below to ensure you keep getting the newsletter! And don't forget to pass this newsletter on when you've finished reading it and to let others know of the Networking Newsletter. The Networking Newsletter has a ten year history of helping campaigners in and around Manchester to work together more effectively. The focus is on those who are working for positive change on issues of peace, development, environment, human rights, animal rights and other areas of social justice. TAKE THE GREEN OPTION You can now save paper by getting the Networking Newsletter and updates delivered by email. We can either email you a text-only version of the newsletter or a PDF as soon as it comes out. To join up visit the website or email info networkingnewsletter.org.uk saying which format you prefer, and whether you wish to go on the "actions" list. The latter allows people to swap information on forthcoming events. SEND US YOUR NEWS! Articles for the next newsletter should be sent by Mon 27 Dec to 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS, email info@networkingnewsletter.org.uk or fax 0161 834 5797 (marked FAO: Networking Newsletter). Articles should be 50-200 words, preferably with a picture or other hi-res colour graphic & include full contact details. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20: WORTH WHILE WEB The Networking Newsletter web site, with over 180 visits (that's over 1000 hits) each day, on average, is well worth while visiting. Not only does it have updates on news and events but it has a very comprehensive resources list - with details as varied as free laptops, meeting rooms, media tips, reviews and recycling fridges - and contacts list with over 350 groups listed. So, if you have Internet access, why not make your home page: http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21: STANDING ORDERS We are currently in the process of moving banks to allow you to more easily set up standing orders. More information in the January issue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22: COPYRIGHT NOTICE ********************************************* -- (c)Networking Newsletter Project(2004) -- -- http://www.networkingnewsletter.org.uk -- - Permission to reproduce any info is given - -- subject to full inclusion of this notice - *********************************************