Oxfam Nw Newsletter October 09

Oxfam Active in North West England October 2009 Welcome to October – Oxfam’s month of action on climate change! As the leaves change colour to their amazing autumnal shades were all going blue for climate change – and we want you to join us! Even the Gordon Brown is starting to realise the importance of Copenhagen (thanks to your campaigning) and has just announced he will personally attend the conference. Remember to write in and let us know what you’re up to or just to find out more ways of getting involved! [email protected] and join our Facebook group and twitter feed to stay uber up to date.

I hope by now that you may have heard about the exciting one day event we are holding in Manchester on 17th October. Climate Action Now will have a whole host of interesting speakers and workshops on climate change for you to get involved in as we enter the final countdown for the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen this December.

Speakers include Penney Poyzer: the no-nonsense eco expert bbc tv presenter, Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall centre for climate change research and Elvis Sukali a programme worker from Malawi who is seeing the effects of climate change first hand. Spaces are limited so sign up early to avoid disappointment - a barginous £5 waged, £4 unwaged (lunch provided). http://climateactionnow.eventbrite.com Also don't forget to take part in our photo competition for the chance to have your photo made into canvas and displayed at Manchester town hall for a month. The competition will be decided by attendees on October 17th. All you have to do to enter is take a photo of your message to world leaders for the Copenhagen climate change talks and upload it onto flikr = http://www.flickr.com/groups/climate-action-now/

It’s time to get political with Oxfam’s lobbying training Thursday October 8th 2009 - 6:30-8pm Refreshments will be provided Politicians need to feel under pressure for them to take action. They actually need us to tell them what's important so they can represent us in Parliament. But what's the best way to let them know what you want or think? Lobbying, as it’s often called, isn't as difficult as you might think. But don't take our word for it. Come along and hear it from someone who works in an MPs office. Put your questions to them and learn the ins and outs of good MP lobbying. Sign up for your free place = http://oxfamlobbyingtraining.eventbrite.com/

Other fun things to get involved with Video contest If you had the opportunity to speak to the world leaders, what would you say? George Clooney wants to hear from you …

Powershift Powershift is young people coming together to learn campaigning skills to build a cleaner, smarter better future th for everyone! 9-12 October in London – sign up today!

Well, here is your chance. Use your voice as a global citizen and tell these leaders in a short video what you think needs to be done to make this world a better and safer place. Be a Citizen Ambassador to the UN. Guidelines: 1. Create your own video, no more than 3 minute duration, focusing on the subject of the contest. 2. Add English subtitles to videos in other languages. 3. Upload the video to your YouTube account. 4. Add it as a REPLY VIDEO to the video you are watching right now. 5. Deadline for submissions: 10 October 2009

What’s been going on? Oxfam volunteers take on politicians

Global Wake up call - Flash Mob

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On September 15 Didsbury Oxfam shop was graced with a visit by none other than Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, and Lucy Powell, prospective Labour candidate for Manchester Withington. They met the shop’s volunteers, posed for a photo op with the Manchester Evening Reporter, and then were grilled with questions on Copenhagen… People wanted to know exactly how the minister was working to ensure a fair and safe deal for developing countries at December’s UN summit, and what the UK government really thought about the efforts of climate change activists, from Oxfam to Camp for Climate Action. Douglas insisted that the UK was committed to a global fund of $100 billion a year for climate change adaptation, and defended the fact that 10% of Britain’s contribution would come from already existing aid money... something that Oxfam has concerns about. He said grassroots campaigning is hugely important in showing politicians that people really care about an issue, and cited the Make Poverty History campaign as a great example of people calling for change. So, with that ministerial encouragement… let’s get out there and carry on campaigning!

On September 21st people from the North West came together to hold flash mob to wake people up to take action about climate change. The global campaign ‘Tck Tck Tck’, involved people throughout the world holding a flash mob at 12:18 to set off alarms and wake people up to take action about climate change here and now. In Manchester we took part in two flashmobs – at Xaverian College students rang their school bell to tell the world to wake up. Watch the video here to see how they got on. At the same time in Manchester city centre a crowd of blue faced people came together in Piccadilly gardens – including a friendly polar bear who seemed mighty keen on saving the humans. Watch the video here to see how they got on. Rachel Edwards said ‘As 12:18 approached and we stood shouting to wake people up to take climate action. It was fantastic!! 30 people of different ages had turned out to tell others about the urgency of now. It felt great to be the start of the momentum for the big wave and show that the North West is as active as ever!! If every Monday was like this one, bring it on that’s what I say!’

From Mozambique to the North West In September, we were fortunate enough to have Unaiti, Oxfam’s Gender Coordinator for Mozambique, come to the North West. She visited a school in Chester, Liverpool University and Oxfam shops in Stockport, Liverpool and Manchester. During all this Unaiti met and talked with Oxfam volunteers and student groups, primary and high school children, the Merseyside Women’s Movement and even Anne Coffey MP. In Manchester, Unaiti spent the evening with volunteers from the Whitworth Park Oxfam shop, as well as shop staff, student activists and campaigning volunteers from around Manchester. The group were inspired by Unaiti as she described first-hand the work she does to empower women and promote gender equality in Mozambique. She also had fascinating accounts of the human cost of climate change in Mozambique, and provided a real insight into the work Oxfam does on the ground in developing countries.

Oxjam October Oxjam is finally here!! October is Oxjam month and we are so excited about all the events happening in the North West over the next few weeks! Below are just some of the highlights but there is so much more going on - just visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam to find out more: 3rd October – Manchester’s own Mr Scruff has offered up his final Keep It Unreal night at the Music Box to Oxjam 8th October - Chester Oxjam Quiz Night at the Falcon 11th October – Chester Oxjam 12hour Jam at the famous Alexander’s 11th October – Oxjam Family Day at the Zion Centre in Manchester And then it’s the biggie… 25th October – OXJAM TAKEOVERS! Each Oxjam Takeover will be a multi-venue feast of all things musical and Oxfam! Where is your local takeover? Blackburn Chester Manchester

Five venues and over 30 bands and performers. [email protected] 10-venues in the biggest event of its kind in Chester’s history! [email protected] The biggest local artists take to the N Quarter under 9 roofs [email protected]

To get tickets for your nearest Oxjam Takeover, visit www.wegottickets.co.uk For information about Oxjam events in the North West contact Rose on [email protected]

Dates for the diary October – A month of climate change action and Oxjam! 3rd October – Manchester’s own Mr Scruff has offered up his final Keep It Unreal night at the Music Box to Oxjam [email protected] 8th October – Political lobbying campaigns training. 6.25-8, Greenfish centre, Manchester 8th October - Chester Oxjam Quiz Night at the Falcon [email protected] 11th October – Chester Oxjam 12hour Jam at the famous Alexander’s [email protected] 11th October – Oxjam Family Day at the Zion Centre in Manchester [email protected] 9-12th October – Powershift young people coming together to learn campaigning skills to build a cleaner, smarter better future for everyone! 17th October – Climate Action Now in Manchester 19th October – Active Global Citizenship Youth Conference. Contact Jo-Anne for more info. 19th October – Outreach training. Contact Rachel for more info. 20th October – A special Climate change evening: there'll be a showing of Oxfam's film Sisters on the Planet, an Oxfam speaker to answer your questions and some yummy refreshments. 7pm, Methodist Hall, Knutsford. Email Heather for more info. 24th October – Manchester Oxfam group take to the streets (with a friendly polar bear) to highlight the human impact of climate change and help people get creative to send their message to Copenhagen. Contact Julie for more info. 25th October – Oxjam’s big takeover!!! Blackburn Five venues and over 30 bands and performers. [email protected] Chester 10-venues in the biggest event of its kind in Chester’s history! [email protected] Manchester The biggest local artists take to the N Quarter under 9 roofs [email protected]

Future events 4th November – Free Oxfam campaigns training on ‘Are women the answer to poverty?’ 6.25-8pm Greenfish centre, Manchester 8th November – Chorley Age of stupid screening only £3 at the little theatre 7-9 pm. Contact Keith for more info 5th December – ‘The Wave’ march in London to Stop Climate Chaos. Get onboard with the co-operatives subsidised transport. You can book tickets online via The Co-operative website: http://www.co-operative.coop/thewave The booking process requires a Co-operative Membership number or Oxfam supporter code. the oxfam code is: OXFAM_TheWave (book early to avoid disappointment and try to get as many of your friends coming as possible) We are also looking for volunteers for the day to help out= http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/files/docs/TheWave-stewarding-form.doc

9th-12th December – The climate charge (hitchhike) to Copenhagen from Liverpool and Manchester – contact Manchester or Liverpool for more info as places will be assigned by 20th October For a more up to date events list join our Facebook group and remember to get in touch to get your events publicised

Materials to help you put on your events Are you doing something wonderful for Oxfam? We have some great local resources that you can borrow to make your events even better – from Polar bear outfits to video cameras, from t-shirts to training packs on media and political campaigning. Just get in touch [email protected] to book the materials you need!

What else can I do? There are so many different ways that you can get involved with Oxfam – why not get in contact to find out more?

Join your local campaigns group

Oxfam needs you to raise your voice

Up and down the UK – and around the world – ordinary people are making an extraordinary difference in the global fight against poverty.

Theatre • Local Festivals • Sports Competitions • Art Exhibitions • Music Gigs • Dance • Your Choice

Activists/ local campaigners – are part of a dynamic international network dedicated to communicating our vital campaigns for change direct to the public, encouraging others to take part.

Outreachers go to events and speak to the public to generate excitement about Oxfam’s campaigns. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to care about ending poverty and suffering.

Working together for impact, they use their energy and skills, knowledge and passion, to take effective action locally - helping to raise the popular support that’s crucial to putting decision-makers under pressure globally.

Get training on Oxfam’s latest campaigns Get creative connecting with the public Get access to the best events in town

Find out where your local group is and how you can get involved – [email protected]

Get involved in Outreach in the North West Find out more: [email protected] or 0161 234 2787

Every penny counts! Oxfam North West is looking for volunteer collection coordinators to lead and develop cash collections within your local community .Get As in ancontact OxfamifCollection Coordinator, you would–have a vital role bunch! in raising funds through you have any questions/ comments we are a friendly bucket collections to support our work in alleviating poverty and suffering worldwide. Call: 01612 342786, Email: [email protected], or use our Facebook group This role will allow you to gain fantastic experience in managing and recruiting teams of volunteers, Oxfam GB is a member Oxfam International. charity No. SC039042. To unsubscribe to these e-updates contactOxfam [email protected] develop new skills inof fundraising and Registered communication, and have the opportunity to promote to your local communities. We need your help! Interested? If so, then get in touch with Harriett on [email protected] or call 0161 234 279 to find out more.

Get in contact if you have any questions/ comments – we are a friendly bunch! Call: 01612 342786, Email: [email protected], or use our Facebook group or twitter Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Registered charity No. SC039042. To unsubscribe to these e-updates contact [email protected]