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Showing posts with label Books and Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books and Articles. Show all posts
Friday, 6 November 2015
Cardinal George Pell: Pope Francis's money man. Please remember that Judas had control of the money for Jesus.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Ground Report India: News from on the ground to keep us grounded
In our daily lives, in one of the best of the western developed countries, how often do we stop to think of the reality of the daily lives of people far away from us. Dropping into my email from time to time is information from India by way of a site called Ground Report India. India is a massive, diverse, and heavily populated country. In so many ways, the very opposite of Australia. Ground Report aims to do what it says - to keep us all grounded by giving news from on the ground - not higher up the food chain.
Below is the latest missive which is an extract from a book by Vivek Glendenning. He can be found on Facebook.
Excerpts from the chapter from the first draft of the Book “Social Experiment
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Dear Mentor,
Thank you for your continuous support.
I am trying to establish a "Social Accountable Media".
I go to the villages to see the ground works done by the common people. Some time for a report, I have to visit one area a few times.
Please support the idea and visit at
http://www.groundreportindia.
I am also organising 206 community conferences and a 1,00,000 kilometres long inclusive national tour in the time span of 2012-2015 covering thousands of villages of hundreds of districts in all over India.
Your all kinds of supports are needed.
For more information, please visit at
http://www.
Thank you
Vivek U. Glendenning "Nomad"
http://www.nomadhermitage.
Below is the latest missive which is an extract from a book by Vivek Glendenning. He can be found on Facebook.
Excerpts from the chapter from the first draft of the Book “Social Experiment
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Running Education centers for beggars and migrant unorganized labourers
……………
Opening and running eight education centres for children of migrated construction labours and beggar children/ adolescents (teens) during student life 15-16 years ago.
At that time, I was establishing education centres at different places in Kanpur. As I was alone, I used to teach at every centre twice in a week and attended two centres every day. Thus, I could manage six centres in one week. For few days of week college finished off at 3 o’clock and some other days at 4 o’clock. The day when college finished at 3, I used to go centres which were far away and the day when it finished at 4, I preferred to go centres which were bit near.
I got very small monthly amount from home as student hence I had to cover a distance of 6 to 9 kilometre daily on foot to reach different centres.
Some professors from IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, HBTI Kanpur gave away Blackboard, chalk, copy, pencil, books and emotional support to start these centres. Basis of this support was my personal relation with them.
While running these centres I gathered innumerable experiences and enhanced my understanding towards ground reality. I am grateful to supportive professors and will be obliged forever.
………
An Education centre for Beggar Children/Teenagers at CTI Crossing, Govind Nagar, Kanpur :
-
There is a place in Kanpur known as CTI crossing and it is adjacent to Govind Nagar. A big and stinking sewer-nullah (sluit) flows and local people call it ‘Ganda Nala’.
And on the bank of this nullah many families of beggar-children/teenagers used to live in hut-like structures made up of thrown away poly bags and torn clothes joined together and fixed on old spoiled bamboo sticks.
Stench of that sewer nullah, which we cannot bear even for one minute while moving on the road parallel to the nullah, had a round the clock lively relation with those families.
During rains, level of sewer increased and flowed through their so called huts.
Except few starting days, I had to search out these children and teens while begging and then I took them to the education centre holding their finger.
An SDO of UP Electricity Board had donated his portico for teaching for two hours, during which he used to keep his car out.
He also helped for copy, pencil, chalk and blackboard.
Sometimes children and teen used to pose strange conditions such as if you would not eat in our hut we would not study.
So, sometimes I had to eat on the bank of sewer nullah whatever they cooked and ate.
These children/ teens did not know how to read or write and it took many days to teach them how to write first letter of Hindi alphabet but in physical labour, making food and reading people’s psychology they were very dexterous .
Their talks and practical understanding surprised me numerous times and taught me so much. This relationship continues for only for one or two years but these memories are still afresh in my mind/ are still lively in the corner of my mind.
………
7 education centres for displaced Bilaspuriyan Construction Labours’ children/ Teens and bagger children/teens :
-
These centres were established and ran at Awadhpuri, Lakhanpur, Kalyaanpur, Vikasnagar, Naubasta and Barra.
Characteristics of these centres were same as sewer-nullah centres, there were only a few differences which I am going to state in following lines.
I no need to go far away to search these kids/ teens because these children usually found playing in their huts or near about areas.
Their parents met almost every day, hence sometimes they also came to study.
Place of study was hut of any of them, which changed after few days. These centres never continued for more than few months because after accomplishment of construction work of colonies they had to leave the place.
So, every time after few months, these centres displaced 2 to 3 kilometres.
I never showed false dream to children/ teens for study, never tempted them, never tempted them for sweets etc. I did not want them to suffer from any frustration or indulge in some impractical dreams. I knew these children/teens would face bitter reality
hence I had no right to hurt their understanding of life showing them false dreams.
As I was not showing any dream, not posing any lie and never tempted them so every time when I go to teach them first I used to walk 2 to 3 kilometre to find them and fetching them to the place for study and had to face their moods.
I have candidly stated to children/ teens and their guardians that study was not going to change their status. Only thing is that there will be less possibility of being cheated and perhaps this study may be useful for a few.
Today, when I remember this time, I find out, if I have not done during my student life, today I cannot be socially integrated, socially honest, sensitive and could not move ahead towards fundamental understanding of the society.
Regards
Vivek U Glendenning ‘Nomad’ . |
--
Dear Mentor,
Thank you for your continuous support.
I am trying to establish a "Social Accountable Media".
I go to the villages to see the ground works done by the common people. Some time for a report, I have to visit one area a few times.
Please support the idea and visit at
http://www.groundreportindia.
I am also organising 206 community conferences and a 1,00,000 kilometres long inclusive national tour in the time span of 2012-2015 covering thousands of villages of hundreds of districts in all over India.
Your all kinds of supports are needed.
For more information, please visit at
http://www.
Thank you
Vivek U. Glendenning "Nomad"
http://www.nomadhermitage.
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Thursday, 22 March 2012
The Activist’s Handbook – a step by step guide to participatory democracy
The Activists’ Handbook is a powerful guide to social change activism and an essential resource for anyone ready to make a difference.
getting involved in grassroots movements.
Providing all the essential practical tools, methods and strategies needed for a successful campaign and
extensively discussing legal and ethical issues, The Activists Handbook empowers its readers to effectively promote their cause. With lots of example documents and comprehensive information on digital activism and group strategy, this is the ultimate handbook to participatorydemocracy.
extensively discussing legal and ethical issues, The Activists Handbook empowers its readers to effectively promote their cause. With lots of example documents and comprehensive information on digital activism and group strategy, this is the ultimate handbook to participatorydemocracy.
256pp. Published by Zed Books, London, 2012.
$29.95 plus $6 postage
You can buy the book online here.
If you have been referred to this site from another social change organisation, select them first then press ‘click to buy'.
10% of each sale will go to the nominated organisation. Please consider listing FoE as the recipient. This information is from the site of Friends of the Earth, Melbourne. Thanks.
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Friday, 13 January 2012
Aboriginal sovereignty was never ceded: Michael Anderson
“Aborigines,
you are with us or against us - make your choice”
Goodooga, northwest NSW,
22
December 2011
- -
A number of significant, very
concerning incidents have occurred since arriving back in Australia from
my trip to London. The
Internet site austlii.edu.au that had the Pacific Islanders
Protection Act of 1872-75 up has pulled it down after I had revealed that the
actual wording of the 1875 Act was altered by person (s) unknown who in effect
altered the intent and law that it established here in Australia.
Then to hear through the main
stream media that the federal government had given ultimatums to the NAIDOC
Committee not to use the 40th anniversary
of the Aboriginal Embassy as its theme for 2012, clearly sends signals that
they are under pressure and seek to avoid a confrontation on the question of
Sovereignty.
It was further revealed that a
key Aboriginal organization within the Australian Capital Territory who had
agreed to be an auspicing body for any funds raised for the 40thanniversary
of the Aboriginal Embassy had their computers hacked by person (s) unknown at
the same time as they were having printed out their bank details and then for
the information to disappear from the computer as it was printing out.
On the far north coast line of
NSW at Pottsville, an Aboriginal man who had been occupying vacant crown
reserve has been advised that he will be evicted from the place. In the past 12
months he said that he had been running cultural camps for Aboriginal children
and youth so that they can continue to have knowledge of their country and what
that country means to them as a people. I am now advised that the council and
police were coming to evict him from this place today (22 December). This appears to developing into our first
battle ground in the fight for our sovereign status and rights as the real
sovereigns of the soil.
In the last twenty four hours
Anderson it has become very clear to me that in the lead up to the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Embassy,
I have been put on notice that people who have been close to the Aboriginal
Embassy all these years are planning a confrontation on the question of the
anniversary becoming a focus on sovereignty and not the Embassy. This is
concerning, considering that the first intention of the Aboriginal Embassy was
to raise and maintain the protest of our people nationwide that sovereignty was
never ceded, rights to our lands was our inherent right that we have since time
immemorial.
If this is going to be the case
then we must now gather together and unite to put down this antagonism against
our movement, no matter whether they are Aboriginal people or not. Sovereignty
is the key to our future as a people. Right now we are losing our children to
the welfare departments, the criminal justice system, our culture is now owned
by the white ministers of the state. In Western Australia, the Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs is not just the minister, he is also the CEO of the Western
Australian Aboriginal Planning Act 1972. In the federal arena, the Labor
government refuses to deal with a bill proposed by the leader of the
Opposition, Tony Abbot, that will give ownership and management of the Cape
York rivers system and remove the wild rivers law created by the Queensland
state Labor government.
It is sad to be given this
warning but I think our people can stand up to the detractors and those who
seek to keep the divisions amongst our people, but we are on the edge of
achieving the one thing that has kept us going all these years. This is our
country, our lore/law and no Aboriginal collaborators or government junta will
stop us from fighting our fight. We will stand up against those who oppose us
and if you are Aboriginal and seek to interfere then we will know who you are
and will condemn you to the white invaders. This is a case of you are either
with us or against us. Make your choice.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contact Michael
0427292492 or (02) 68296355
Further reading
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Sunday, 5 December 2010
James Arvanitakis - Greening Xenophobia - Lifeboat Limits
He has notified through his blog and on Twitter of his most recent piece for New Matilda, Greening Xenophobia. Imagine what your own lifeboat limit might be, Networkers!
Further reading:
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
King Brown Country - Russell Skelton, Fred Cheney, Michael Cathcart: Sack Macklin Protest: Alison Anderson
Somewhere in all this the man from the Australian Federal Police turned up and spoke to one of our number who knew his name. He says he now looks forward to seeing happy snaps of himself when relevant files are opened in decades to come. It is a comfort to know that even if the majority of Melbournians didn't know about us, someone is still watching over us.
Click to enlarge.
My guess is that somewhere upward of 50 people gathered outside Readings. The footpath was packed. People spilled from the kerb onto the roadway. People not connected with the protest but who were coming to Readings for the book launch paused to take in the event. Speeches were made. Street seating made great platforms for the speakers. Connections were drawn between The Intervention in the Northern Territory and the threatened closure of Ballert Mooroop College here in Melbourne.
An audience of somewhere around 50 people gathered in Readings for the launch of King Brown Country with Fred Cheney in conversation and Michael Cathcart facilitating. Interesting and interested faces in the crowd included Petro Georgiou, John Cain, Sister Joan Hamilton, John Safran and Diane de Vere along with sundry people, including Miss Eagle, who have an intimate knowledge of matters Aboriginal and places of the Northern Territory.
If Russell Skelton thought this was going to be a nice book launch in arguably the trendiest bookshop in Melbourne with a receptive audience, then the event turned out quite differently. Even Fred Cheney, who does not have a reputation as a controversialist, interpolated in sheer exasperation with some of Skelton's views. There were knowledgable people in the audience who questioned him closely or made statements - and many of these 'contra' views were well applauded by the receptive audience.
If anyone believes that support for Aboriginal self-determination and a better life for the citizens of Australia's First Nations is restricted to pinkos, lefties and greenies, then last night was visible evidence for support for Aboriginal people from both sides of the political spectrum. Somewhere between the don't cares and don't wants are people who can talk to one another across the political divide in positive ways with the aim of seeking better solutions.
It is fair to say that the audience for King Brown Country came down hard on methods of governance, politicians and bureaucrats. Policies announced but unfulfilled or long postponed. Bureaucrats and ministers on a roller blind. A minister in the Howard Government who was just getting on top of the portfolio was changed to something else. Bureaucrats that come and go so no lasting relationships or long term knowledge building are possible. Bureaucrats that don't even go, and rule from afar - without knowledge, without expertise. It was also made plain by Fred Cheney and supported by the audience that Aboriginal citizens could not be subjected to one-size-fits-all policy templates. Solutions needed to be diverse, customised to specific communities and their particular and individual needs.
And, it must be noted, Alison Anderson was defended.
I purchased my copy of the book. I didn't bother to do the usual and get the author to sign it. I found Russell Skelton, at this book launch, less than impressive.
Further reading:
Friday, 22 October 2010
Guide to the proposed Basin Plan Technical Background is now online. Critics quieted?
It has been published - but will this quieten the critics? Yes, Volune 2 of The Guide to the proposed Basin Plan - the one with all the technical background has now been published on line here. Below, the appendices are listed:
See how ya go, Networkers, and you might like to send me a comment or three.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Blog Action Day on WATER : Global Handwashing day - The Wiggles & Nelson Mandela
A little water and a little soap can make a huge difference in saving lives and helping us to ward off disease. I love the emphasis on the kids because we want them to grow up strong and resilient, don't we.
The first Global Handwashing Day was in 2008.
Our very own Wiggles wrote a special tune.
It is catchy and easy to teach to your kids.
And here is the video for 2010
Please value water.
It is our life.
Please support the human right to water and its understanding.
In Australia, water was unbundled from land
by a COAG Agreement in 1994.
This made water a tradeable commodity -
when once it was part of the Commons -
it belonged to all of us.
This definition of water rights comes from Wiserearth:
Definition: Water rights are the legal rights that define ownership of water and water sources (surface and subsurface), the use of water and the priority of water use. Water rights allocate water to different users and can be contentious in areas where water supplies are insufficient for the demands upon the supply, and where people are denied or deprived of access to water. The right to water is increasingly considered as a basic human right that has to be reconciled with legal water rights already in existence. Unfortunately, privatization and commodification of water often undermine this right by cutting off supply to those who cannot afford to pay.
Related reading:
If you go here, you will find books and other material
from Rous Water about water, including Aboriginal stories.
Rous Water is the regional water supply authority
providing potable water in bulk to the Council areas of
Lismore (excluding Nimbin), Ballina (excluding Wardell),
Byron (excluding Mullumbimby) and
Richmond Valley (excluding land to the west of Coraki).
~~
W
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