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Put People FirstLooks like an interesting movement - www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk. Perhaps we could make something happen in Scotland (I’m aware I’m writing this from Cape Town, but someone could make it happen there?). Noticed it on this article by Nick Dearden… 0 Comments Scottish Human Rights CommissionThe new Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) celebrated world human rights day, 10 December, at a reception at the Scottish Parliament last week. The Scottish Parliament also held a members debate in support of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the SHRC, highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing human rights globally, and in Scotland. He said: “Since the Universal Declaration was published in 1948 scores of countries have, like Scotland, enshrined human rights into their national laws. There is now a realisation that human rights can solve problems and bring about social progress. This is as true for Scotland as any country in the world. However, even in 2008, billions of people around the world remain unaware of their human rights, or can’t realise them. When crises in the financial markets, security and the environment affect us all, protecting human rights is truly a global mission. I hope that, six decades from now, human rights are a reality for everyone, everywhere. The Scottish Human Rights Commission will play its part to bring that about in Scotland“. The Commission team will be travelling around Scotland at the beginning of 2009 to ask individuals and communities for their views and concerns about human rights and how to best prioritise the work of the Commission. You can play your part by going along to one of the public events (email: hello@scottishhumanrights.com for details) or by responding to the consultation response form. online.
0 Comments Linton Kwesi Johnson: Mi Revalueshanary Frenposted 25/11 by Sophie Ellison Next book group is on Thursday 4th December, same time as usual in Sofi’s bar. We’re looking at the poetry of Linton Kwesi Johnson, reggae/dub poet, who uses his verse to fight racism and document black working-class life in the UK. Find out a bit more about the man himself here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/mar/08/featuresreviews.guardianreview11 It’d be great if everyone could have a look at the following few poems and then pick any others you fancy on top of these: * Dread beat an blood * Inglan is a bitch * It read inna inglan * Yout scene * Beacon of hope * Sense atta nansense * New world hawdah If you get a chance, there’s some good dub versions of his poetry on youtube - ‘Reggae fi Peach’ is brilliant if you can find it, although can’t find any lyrics for it and it’s not one of his published poems - I’ll try and bring some tunes along as well! See you all soon! more events….People Like Us: Is Scottish Society fairly reflected in Holyrood? Saturday 18th October, 12.30-1.30pm, at the Royal George Hotel in PERTH. Engaging Online: Getting Citizens Back to the centre of democracy. Wednesday 29 October, 6-8pm, Scottish Parliament. A free seminar to discuss eDemocracy in Scotland. More info at www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blogs/hansard_society_scotland/default.aspx
Scottish Traditional Storytelling Festivalposted 01/10 by josiah.lockhart After a conversation yesterday afternoon about Scottish identity and the arts I was informed about the Scottish Storytelling Festival coming next month to the Scottish Storytelling Centre (as well as village halls around the country). What I thought was primarily a Scottish storytelling event is showcasing Scotish myths/histories along side those of its earliest immigrants/emmegrants (Norway, Iceland, Sweeden, Ireland, Denmark, Findland, and Alaska). Some of this looks very interesting, I’m hoping to see some of the Ceilidh Nights (storytelling not dancing) where a group of storytellers share similar stories. Anyone up for joining me? 24 Oct - 2 Nov Scottish Story Telling Festival 2 Comments |
Project: Africa & Identity
About | Images of Africa are many and varied; from the rainforests of Tarzan stories and open plains of Karen Blixen to contemporary journalism focused on poverty, AIDS, and dictatorships, we have a heady mix of representations from which to build our picture of the continent and its people. These representations, far from being simple objective observations, have carried with... more Dressing up African DeitiesProfessor James Cox will be giving his inaugural lecture as the Personal Chair of Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, entitled ‘Dressing up an African God in Christian Clothing’ at New College on the Mound, September 18th, 2pm. Could be of interest to anyone interested in how euro-centric interpretations of African beliefs and practices have persisted and developed. Email me if you want to know more… A Night Of African Film
The Manifesto is kicking off its African exploration with a little night African film night next Wednesday (9th July) in Sofi’s Bar, Leith. It’s free in, would be great to get a crew down, spread the word. The film we’ll be screening has yet to be chosen, it’s a surprise, find out on the night. 7.30pm for an 8pm start. 0 Comments Amnesty International at the Edinburgh FestivalEvery year Amnesty International Scotland puts on a programme of exhibitions, comedy, discussions and campaign actions at the Edinburgh Festival in August. This year is no exception with a line up that includes events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a play about the story of Burma’s recent history - right up to last year’s Saffron Revolution and the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis.
Each day authors appearing at the Book Festival will show solidarity with persecuted writers around the world by reading out from their work as part of the Imprisoned Writers Series. This year the daily themes will focus on the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with a different article highlighted each day. These events are FREE and tickets can be collected from the box office at the Book Festival site on Charlotte Square – simply turn up on the day of the reading. ‘Stand up for Freedom’, sponsored by the Cooperative Bank is a benefit night for Amnesty with two nights of the best comedy in Edinburgh. Book early. Touki BoukiThe Manifesto will be kicking off an opening party African-style in Leith, with a showing of the Mambety 1970’s classic Touki Bouki, followed by some sweet African tuneage. Details to follow shortly. 0 Comments Africa & Identity Posts | archive | add event Farming innovations in Kibera, KenyaCheck out some green innovations taking place in Africa’s largest slum, Kibera. The Afrigadget Blog has the story.
Western Media Bias Against Africa“The negative reporting of Africa by the Western media is a subject very dear to the hearts of discerning Africans.”.. and likely of great interest to discerning Manifesto participants too. African Journalists explore this theme in depth in a recent edition of the New African magazine (June 2008). Below are links for:
0 Comments Photography: Pieter Hugo
Cape Town born Pieter Hugo engages with african people seeking mutual acknowledgement between subject and photographer. The relation builds up genuinely with Hugo spending time travelling between Zimbabwe, Durban, Botswana, Nigeria and Ghana talking to people and lingering on the negotiated contexts and blending of cultural nuances. He is a documentarist born and bred. Projects like “Nollywood” and “The Hyena Men” are paramount to understand his essence. Check out his portfolio along with texts 1 Comment Rodney was rightSuperb article on the European Union’s attempt to further exploit Africa - I’ve just discovered this magazine, it’s brilliant - Monthly Review. Article here. 0 Comments |
Project: Transforming Scotland
About | We live in a society dominated by stark contrasts of wealth and power; politics under a free, rampant capitalism further undermines democracy and makes genuine connection and change less and less likely. The Manifesto aims to address some of these questions in the context of Scotland: Why do we spend so much money on arms, and continue to fund nuclear weapons? How can... more Put People FirstLooks like an interesting movement - www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk. Perhaps we could make something happen in Scotland (I’m aware I’m writing this from Cape Town, but someone could make it happen there?). Noticed it on this article by Nick Dearden… 0 Comments more events….People Like Us: Is Scottish Society fairly reflected in Holyrood? Saturday 18th October, 12.30-1.30pm, at the Royal George Hotel in PERTH. Engaging Online: Getting Citizens Back to the centre of democracy. Wednesday 29 October, 6-8pm, Scottish Parliament. A free seminar to discuss eDemocracy in Scotland. More info at www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blogs/hansard_society_scotland/default.aspx
Scottish Traditional Storytelling Festivalposted 01/10 by josiah.lockhart After a conversation yesterday afternoon about Scottish identity and the arts I was informed about the Scottish Storytelling Festival coming next month to the Scottish Storytelling Centre (as well as village halls around the country). What I thought was primarily a Scottish storytelling event is showcasing Scotish myths/histories along side those of its earliest immigrants/emmegrants (Norway, Iceland, Sweeden, Ireland, Denmark, Findland, and Alaska). Some of this looks very interesting, I’m hoping to see some of the Ceilidh Nights (storytelling not dancing) where a group of storytellers share similar stories. Anyone up for joining me? 24 Oct - 2 Nov Scottish Story Telling Festival 2 Comments Fleeto and knife crime in Scotlandposted 23/09 by josiah.lockhart As we have seen in the news over the past few months knife crime is alive and well in the UK, but what are people doing about? A small theatre group from Glasgow has put out its protest in the form of theatre. With Fleeto we find a play based upon the Illiad and written in an estate like dialect of Scots. This comes highly recommended by the Scotsman, the Guardian, the Herald, the List, and many an art group in the Highlands, it also incorporates local children’s theatre groups. I reccomend this to everyone despite the fact I will be away. Also, due to a large amount of ’strong language’ it is 14+ £7/£5, 8-9 October @ St. Brides Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, EH11 2DZ (0131 3461405) Reviews: Guardian, Scotsman, List, Herald 0 Comments The Last SupperWe’re hoping to start a monthly event soon called The Last Supper, in which we invite someone with a particular passion for something (could be a politician, a writer, a religious figure, an activist, anyone at all) for a meal, in which they can try to persuade people of the importance or rightness of their cause, and encourage discussion around the issue. There will be twelve places available at the meal, which will go to the first twelve people to sign up here on the site when announced. Simple. If anyone would like to help out getting this up and running that would be great, we need to find a venue, food, and get some people to agree to come along and nail their colours to their masts. Leave a note in the comments if you can help or if you have any ideas, or drop me an email: philharrison@themanifesto.co.uk 1 Comment Trans. Scotland Posts | archive | add event Scottish Human Rights CommissionThe new Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) celebrated world human rights day, 10 December, at a reception at the Scottish Parliament last week. The Scottish Parliament also held a members debate in support of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the SHRC, highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing human rights globally, and in Scotland. He said: “Since the Universal Declaration was published in 1948 scores of countries have, like Scotland, enshrined human rights into their national laws. There is now a realisation that human rights can solve problems and bring about social progress. This is as true for Scotland as any country in the world. However, even in 2008, billions of people around the world remain unaware of their human rights, or can’t realise them. When crises in the financial markets, security and the environment affect us all, protecting human rights is truly a global mission. I hope that, six decades from now, human rights are a reality for everyone, everywhere. The Scottish Human Rights Commission will play its part to bring that about in Scotland“. The Commission team will be travelling around Scotland at the beginning of 2009 to ask individuals and communities for their views and concerns about human rights and how to best prioritise the work of the Commission. You can play your part by going along to one of the public events (email: hello@scottishhumanrights.com for details) or by responding to the consultation response form. online.
0 Comments People Trafficking in Scotlandposted 05/09 by josiah.lockhart Last month Amnesty International UK published the first ever report on people trafficking in Scotland, it shows the complexities and problems with current legislation, as well as the lack of anything going on really across the major cities (other than TARA in Glasgow). Very informative, and shows our countries continuing slave trade from Eastern Europe and West Africa. Get a copy of the report here. 15 Comments Beyond votingInteresting review of a new book exploring political/social action on the streets through things like gardening and cycling - maybe worth a look? Link here. 0 Comments Are the greens going off?This is a draft of a piece I am writing about climate change and capital - still in progress, but would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions/critiques/observations. Download HERE. 0 Comments Gun moneyWould be great to try to find some good sources on military expenditure in Scotland - anybody got any good suggestions? 2 Comments |
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