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 sustainability increasingly pervade and influence our decisions? Is it possible to imagine living in ways which break with the increasing drive towards consumerism? More, is it possible to imagine constructing a society which makes such a break?
| | archive | add post
posted 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.
0 Comments
tags africa,europe,people traffickig,scotland,slaves,trafiking,women
_
posted 02/09 by philharrison Interesting 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
tags books,gardening
_
posted 28/08 by philharrison 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
tags capitalism,climate change,essay
_
posted 24/06 by philharrison Would be great to try to find some good sources on military expenditure in Scotland - anybody got any good suggestions?
2 Comments
tags arms,weapons
_
back to top |
| archive | add event
posted 03/10 by clarebellis 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
0 Comments
_
posted 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
3 Comments
tags arts,History,indigenous,Myth,Scottish,Storytelling,Traditional
_
posted 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
tags crime,drama,fleeto,knife,scotland,theatre,violnce
_
posted 05/09 by philharrison We’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
tags last supper
_
posted by josiah.lockhart In protest of the Governments lack of support of Scottish traditional arts many Edinburgh based grassroots arts groups are getting together to hold a FREE celebratory Ceilidh celebrating Scotland’s historic traditions of music, dance, and Storytelling while at the same time increasing awareness and support for their campaign.
27 September, 7.30 P.M. @ St. Brides Center, 10 Orwell Terrace EH11 2DY
1 Comment
_
posted 26/08 by jemma.neville 
I’m just back from viewing the winning entries to the World Press Photo Contest, currently on display at The Scottish Parliamnet. I’m sure other readers and contributers to The Manifesto blog would find it of interest too - a very eclectic mix of striking, provocative and sometimes beautiful portraits and photo-journalism chronicling the last twelve months of world events. There are a lot of photos on display so you might want to visit more than once. Entry is free and is on until 1st September.
1 Comment
_
posted by philharrison 
This is a bit premature but worth putting in the diary to make sure you don’t miss it. It’s a documentary exploring how a number of American priests intentionally risked imprisonment while protesting the war in Vietnam. On in the Filmhouse - link here.
“A brilliant merger of political outrage and filmmaking.” (New York Times)
Followed by a discussion about the relationship between faith and activism. With Alastair McIntosh (author), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islmaic Foundation) and Tamsin Omond (PlaneStupid).
0 Comments
tags activism,film
_
posted 25/08 by jemma.neville The New Ten Commandments is a feature documentary marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights commissioned by the Scottish Documentary Institute. The film had its premier at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June. The directors include Mark Cousins, Irvine Welsh and Tilda Swinton.
A friend of mine worked on the sound for the film and has given me a copy. Would anyone else in The Manifesto like to watch it together and discuss the human rights themes involved? Let me know by email and I’ll set something up.
2 Comments
tags film
_
posted 02/07 by philharrison Alastair McIntosh, author of Soil & Soul, is launching his new book this evening (Wednesday 2 July) in Word Power Books. It’s called Hell and High Water: Climate Change, Hope and the Human Condition. 7.15pm, free in, don’t need a ticket. Should be good.
0 Comments
tags books,climate change
_
posted 26/06 by jemma.neville A lecture about an experiment to live sustainably on only local produce. There is a lecture about how The Fife diet has worked TONIGHT at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace.
The originator of the Fife Diet, Mike Small, will give the curious an insight into what he’s been eating and why. Here’s how he describes it:
“We’ve had whole foods and slow food, fast food and organics. We’ve had road-food, and freeganism, Masterchefs and Naked Chefs, the F Word and the Atkins, Meals on Wheels and Free School Meals. The difference about the Fife Diet is, it’s not actually about you any more.
“Acting under the motto ‘Think Global, Eat Local’ the Fife Diet aims toreduce not your waist line but your carbon footprint, by eating only food from Fife for a year. “
0 Comments
_
back to top |
