|
February 2008 E-news
February Tip – Buying Ethical Clothing
by Yvonne
As the warmer weather emerges, we will inevitably go looking for our new spring wardrobe - but BE WARNED! Your new clothing may contain child labour, sweatshop labour, exploitation, oppression and other forms of human rights abuse. The side effects of buying clothes without checking where they are made include supporting an economy and market that drives the exploitation of women and children in developing countries, as well as the degradation of the environment everywhere!
With that said, please consider more ethical and environmental alternatives when shopping for your new clothes. Many stores may contain clothing that have environmental or peacekeeping messages on them, but many of them are unfortunately made in sweatshops, contradicting their own message. This is known as "Green-washing," or brainwashing you to think these products are actually green.
So what to do??
If you really want to walk the talk, look out for t-shirts made from eco-fabrics such as organic cotton or bamboo (as long as it is certified Fair Trade or organic), which grows extremely fast so it can be harvested sustainably. Locally-made clothes and bags, especially when made out of recycled materials, mean less green house gas emissions are produced by avoiding shipping and flying stuff all over the world. In addition, vintage, second-hand, and clothes swapped with your friends mean less materials have to be produced, and less go into the landfill!
As for the ethical aspect, look for clothing made in Canada and USA or clearly labeled sweatshop free. Shoes made with synthetic leather reduces cruelty to animals, as does avoiding fur!
Here are some stores/companies you can check out:
* Canadian companies… woo hooo!!
New Brunswick Children’s Parliament
Student councils in elementary schools? That’s right! For several years, schools throughout Carleton County, New Brunswick, have created a space for student voice and action by forming student councils. Each council member is democratically voted in after some serious campaigning. But it’s not all empty promises - over the school year the council works hard to improve their school, with projects ranging from litter-free lunch days to intramural sports.
The whole process begins with the Children’s Parliament Fair, a gathering of grade five students from a dozen schools around the county. Students spend the day outside learning global citizenship through puppet shows, games, nature hikes and a mock election.
The Children’s Parliament was inspired by night-school students in Rajasthan, India, who formed a council to discuss important matters in their lives, bring about solutions, and demand that their rights be met.
This February, the student councils have the chance to meet with each other during the Convention of Councils; an important day-long event to learn how to make large group decisions and experience the difference youth can make together.
Want to Know More?
For more information e-mail: education@fallsbrookcentre.ca
Students at last year’s Convention of Councils
Sustainable Campuses Conferences
The Sierra Youth Coalition holds its annual regional Sustainable Campuses Conferences across the country around this time of year – conferences have already been held in Saskatoon, Ottawa and Montreal. There’re only two conferences left – if you live near Kamloops, BC or St. John’s, Newfoundland, don’t miss out!
The Sustainable Campuses project aims to empower students to lead initiatives on their campuses toward greater social, ecological and economic sustainability through campus operations, curricula and community member behaviour. Here is your opportunity to get connected, inspired, and build skills with others working to assess and improve their school's level of ecological and social well-being. Register today!
For more info, check out: www.syc-cjs.org/sustainable.
Conferences will be held in the following regions:
- British Columbia: Kamloops: Thompson River University Feb. 8-10
Contact Maggie: BC@syc-cjs.org
- Atlantic: St. Johns: Memorial University of Newfoundland - Feb. 8-10
Contact Cait: atlantic@syc-cjs.org
High School Renewable Energy Design Competition
What is it?
It’s an engineering design competition with a focus on energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy for high school students.
Huh?
Have you been checking out renewable energy? Water conservation? Solar heating? Do you think your school needs some serious help, and know a few students who would be up to the challenge?
This competition will be based on a specific mission that will be announced very soon, giving all teams the same time to design and build their system. Participating teams will be given a basic toolkit of materials as well as regulations for the competition.
Are you interested?
Contact the Falls Brook Centre NOW, and start working on a project idea with sponsors and fundraisers, as working with mentors to get familiar with engineering concepts.
When Does it Start?
Very soon. Get your team organized and ready with your ideas, and contact the Falls Brook Centre ASAP.
The Good Stuff that Comes to You…
Joining in this competition is a unique and rewarding experience for youth participants, mentors and teachers. Teams will gain valuable experience in engineering, problem-solving, team work, leadership, financing and marketing. Contact us for your “starting a team guide”.
The design competition depends on the support of a strong network of volunteers - there are many ways of joining this team.
Teachers: Students need help running a team. Help them to get setup and act as a facilitator as the challenge progresses.
Mentors: The design competition is no easy task and students will need mentors when designing and building their systems. Mentors can also help the team get ready before the mission objectives are announced by going over engineering basics.
Rally Volunteer: It’s a busy time when all the teams come together for the final rally. Join the excitement by helping to organize and run what will likely be a few days of great fun.
You Need More Info!
For more information, contact us at:
(506) 375-4310
technology@fallsbrookcentre.ca
www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/experience/
design.htm
Young People in Action Kit - HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
 Published in 2001 by UNESCO and UNAIDS, this kit provides ideas for youth action in the area of human rights and HIV/AIDS. It has been prepared in close consultation with young people from various youth organizations, in particular with students from the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association and from the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation.
To download the kit
unesdoc.unesco.org/images/
0012/001264/126403e.pdf
Otesha Cycle Tours Are Coming Up
The routes for the 2008 Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours are set, and applications are still being accepted for seven regional tours throughout Canada that will take more than 120 inspiring young change-makers on the journey of a lifetime! Tour members will share an incredible experience as they live as a mobile and sustainable community for two months. Cycling from performance to performance, braving the elements, connecting with communities along the route, and exploring all the ups and downs of directly addressing environmental and social injustices through their own every day actions – sound good?
Tours will start in May, July, and September, departing from Ottawa, Vancouver, and Halifax.
These are the tour routes:
Algonquin Tour
May 1 to June 25
Spin from Ottawa through Algonquin Provincial Park, follow the sunny shores of Georgian Bay along the Bruce Peninsula, over to the sandy beaches of Manitoulin Island and onward to Sudbury. Car-free.
Great Lakes Tour
May 1 to June 25
The Great Lakes are calling! Cycle the rocky shores of three of North America's largest fresh water lakes, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Venture from Ottawa through rugged terrain and bustling towns. Destination: Niagara Falls! Car-free.
Northern Appalachian Tour
May 1 to June 25
Cycle from Ottawa through the Eastern Townships, across the border and through the ancient Mountains of Vermont and Main. Destination: New Brunswick and the red sand shores of the Bay of Fundy. NB: A passport is required, as the team will be traveling through the USA.
Sunshine Coast Tour
July 2 to August 26
Tackle Vancouver Island from tip to tip. Starting in Vancouver, cycle north of Vancouver, across to the Island, north to Port Hardy and then south again to funky Victoria. Car-free.
Kootenay Mountain Tour
July 2 to August 26
From Vancouver to Calgary, start at the ocean edge, spin through coastal forests, on to the sunny Okanagan, and up and down the silver peaks of southern British Columbia.
Rising Tide Tour
Sept. 2 to Oct. 27
Feel your spirits rise with the highest tides in the world. Starting in Halifax, cycle along the Atlantic Ocean around southern Nova Scotia and the red sand shores of the Bay of Fundy.
Across the Rock Tour
Sept. 2 to Oct. 27
Starting in Halifax, north to Cape Breton, ferry over to Newfoundlandand across the Rock to North America's most easterly point. Lots of hills (and possibly snow)!
Spread the word!
Otesha strives to make our programs accessible to all applicants, and will work with anyone who is truly committed to ensure their participation. Take a look at their bursary program and download a bursary application.
More information available at www.otesha.ca.
youth.gc.ca
“Your source for information about programs and services available for youth at the community level and beyond.”
For anyone looking for jobs or experience or straight-to-the-point info, the internet can be a crazy place, but the Government of Canada’s youth.gc.ca site is a nice bit of calmness. They have tons of info to help you cope with things like school-related stress, where they say that stress-management = survival! (especially after they describe a hideous situation where you haven't started your term paper even though you've had the topic for two months, you have serious hunger pangs because you haven't had time to eat today, your car has a flat tire, and your class presentation partner just called to say that she has laryngitis and therefore can't make it to the presentation you are doing for 40% of your mark (and which you haven't had a chance to prepare for yet).). From sites about biology to community arts, all the way through to the Federal Youth Internship Program where 50% of the internships are for youth who haven’t finished high school yet, after you check out the site your eyes will be a bit more open about the tons of different possibilities open for youth in Canada.
They Need Your Help!
They’re looking for young people across Canada to participate in an online panel in the Canadian Youth Connection Forum to help them take a look at how well (or not!) various Government of Canada services work the eyes of youth! Get involved at here.
Check out the whole site at:
www.youth.gc.ca/yohome.jsp?
&lang=en&geo=324&flash=0. |
