Subscribe to e-Xtra... We're about to send out the April edition of our monthly e-zine e-Xtra, which got us thinking: do all of you know about it? It's a free newsletter which we send out to everyone who signs up at our music events or on Generation Why (just click on the green 'sign up' block at the top of each page). It's the easy way to stay up-to-date with all the stuff happening at Oxfam, plus it means you'll be the first to know about competitions (rumour has it we might be giving away some festival tickets soon), campaign events, stories and club nights. Oh, and I nearly forgot! If you sign up before 3 June, we'll put you in a prize draw to win one of our WONDERFUL, ethically-sourced, cool-as-ice t-shirts. Not bad, eh? Enough idle chatter: sign me up now >> posted at 1:35 PM | Permalink 2 comments

The summer festivals are coming! "Life is a festival only to the wise" - as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, although it's debatable whether he had Glastonbury in mind at the time. Neverthless, he had the right idea: life is great, and it's even better when you throw in a festival or two for good measure. Oxfam are going to be at more of them this summer than you might think (Glastonbury, WOMAD, NASS, Reading, Leeds, Cornbury, Wychwood, The Glade, V and Bestival to be exact). We'll be running chill-out tents and campaign stalls, and you'll get a helping hand from our stewards too. Keep up-to-date with what we've got planned on Generation Why. More about the festivals we're going to this summer >> posted at 2:06 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Win the Kaiser Chiefs album! The Kaiser Chiefs are hot stuff at the moment, and everyone's after 'Employment', their debut album featuring the singles 'Oh My God' and 'I Predict a Riot'. But don't run out and buy it just yet: you might be able to get your mitts on a free copy, courtesy of Generation Why. We've got five copies of 'Employment' to give away to you lucky people, and all you have to do to be in with a chance is write us a five-line limerick about wristbands. It's that easy! And if you need inspiration, you can always check out the limericks submitted so far. You've got until 27 May, so plenty of time to practice your poetic projects (ahem). Go to the competition page >> posted at 12:22 AM | Permalink 2 comments

Are we that great generation? Way back in January this year, Nelson Mandela said these words to 25,000 souls in Trafalgar Square: 'Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation.' He was talking about the campaign to Make Poverty History in 2005 - and the opportunity we have to make a real change this year. We can all do something - whether that means going to the G8 summit in Edinburgh in July or buying a Make Poverty History white band or t-shirt. You might soon be able to get your mitts on some Make Poverty History pants too (see pic). There's never been a more exciting time to get involved... Download a cool flyer for the G8 >> posted at 4:57 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Did you see all the World Poverty Day stuff on the news? Well, did you? The day has got loads of coverage - really highlighting the kind of issues that Oxfam has been campaigning on over the past few years. For those that missed it all, here are a few links. You can read Michael Howard's speech here and Tony Blair's pledge to make poverty history here. Gordon Brown said that world poverty was 'the great moral issue of our generation'. And Charles Kennedy vowed to make poverty history too - read more here. You can read a bit more about the day on the BBC and The Guardian websites too. More about World Poverty Day on the main Oxfam site >> posted at 11:18 AM | Permalink 1 comments

Voters demand action on world poverty Morning! I wish we had some sunny content to brighten up a drab Monday for you... Well, what we do have is some heartwarming news - an overwhelming majority of voters want to see the political parties do more to fight global poverty, according to a YouGov poll published at the weekend. This expression of public opinion is an obvious boost to the Make Poverty History campaign, which commissioned the poll to coincide with World Poverty Day yesterday (Sunday). Over 80 per cent of those questioned believe that politicians need to respond as urgently to the number of children dying in Africa every day as they did to the Asia tsunami. More about the poll here >> posted at 10:29 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Bored? Then shoot some beans It's not just us at Oxfam GB that are coming up with fun stuff at the moment - our fabbo Dutch counterparts at NOVIB (Oxfam Holland) have also been getting creative. They've designed a new game based around the commodities that get dumped on the markets of developing countries - like sugar, coffee, milk and rice. It's called 'The Beanshooting game', and involves you collectng these goods before catapulting them at the heads of bald rich businessmen. It's all in Dutch, but don't worry - you don't need to read the instructions to understand how it works. So if you find yourself staring into space, then check it out: Play the Beanshooting game >> posted at 3:45 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Who should you vote for? If you haven't the foggiest who you should vote for, we've found a great new site called (appropriately enough) www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com. It's dead quick and easy, and it gives you an idea of how much your opinions tie in with the major parties' policies. It's really interesting to see where you fall - maybe you're a bit less Tory than you thought, or more of a Greeny? It only takes a couple of minutes, but the results may surprise you. Go to www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com >> Cast your vote in the Generation Why vote poll >> posted at 12:36 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Trade Justice Vigil - in pictures (and some words too) We've just put together a FANTASTIC review of the AMAZING Trade Justice Vigil that took place last Friday night in London (sorry it's taken so long). If you were there, relive those inspiring moments - the candles, the (strong) coffee, the music, the marching and the beautiful people. If you weren't, find out what you missed - and make amends by joining the Big Noise petition. Have a look at the lovely pics and the review here >> One more thing - did you go to the Trade Justice Vigil? What did you think? Were you annoyed it didn't get much press coverage? Post us your comments below... posted at 9:38 AM | Permalink 3 comments

World Poverty Day - this Sunday In a refreshing twist, global poverty will become the central focus of the election battle this Sunday. All the major parties have agreed to make 24 April 'World Poverty Day', and each will spell out their proposals on how they intend to help lift millions from poverty. Staging this in the middle of an election means that MPs are starting to realise that many voters want to see action on poverty, both at home and abroad. World Poverty Day will feature speeches from senior party figures, and will allow the public to hear exactly what politicians intend to do to help the world's poorest people. Read more about World Poverty Day on oxfam.org.uk >> Question time - read the responses of the major parties to your questions >> Manifestos - find out what the political parties say about aid, trade and debt >> posted at 3:40 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Oxfam launches new internship scheme Oxfam has launched a new internship scheme, and is seeking volunteers to fill 60 roles available annually across the organisation. Under the new scheme, interns will be given specific projects and greater flexibility during periods of four months' work experience. It's open to all sorts (not just graduates) and there are vacancies avilable for publicity and campaign officers, market research executives, fundraising assistants and deputy retail managers. Lunch and travel expenses will be paid, and places will start in January, June and September. More info on Oxfam GB >> Volunteer profiles on Generation Why >> posted at 3:27 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Question time for June A quick shout to ask June Sarpong - Oxfam heroine, T4 lovely and strange-dating-game presenter - any of your burning questions. Ask her about her time in Ghana with Oxfam or about her day with the PM - is she going to vote this May? - or about anything that tickles your fancy. We're going to send June the best Qs by the end of the week, so get yours in NOW! Ask June your question here. posted at 4:04 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Meet a Generation Why hero! Say hello to Phil White, cycling nut. After pedalling to Warsaw in 17 days a couple of years ago, he's really cranked up a gear [*groan*] by heading off on a bike trip around the world - and what's more, he's doing it for Oxfam. Phil's gruelling 18,000-mile journey will take him through 26 countries and credit him with a new world record, and so far he's received over £5,000 in donations. At the moment he's in Panama, and you can follow his progress on his website, which is full of great stuff including Phil's videos, log, life story and route details. Top chap. Check out Phil's website, www.worldcycle.co.uk >> Show me some more info on fundraising for Oxfam >> posted at 3:21 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Are you going to the Trade Justice Vigil tonight? Calling all insomniacs: tonight is the big one, the long-awaited Trade Justice Vigil in London. It's the culmination of the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice, and thousands of people will be staying up all night in Westminster to demand fairer trade for the world's poorest farmers. There's loads of stuff going on throughout the night, from processions to puppet-making, cafes to clubbing, and rickshaws to human white bands. Ronan Keating, Thom Yorke and others will also be hanging out. So if you want to make a night out of it, head down to Westminster, and bring a candle with you. Events kick off at 10, and finish at 8 in the morning. Tell me more >> What's this Global Week of Action thing all about then? >> posted at 3:01 PM | Permalink 1 comments

London Marathon this weekend On Sunday the usual blend of lanky athletes, fitness fanatics and wombles will be punishing themselves in the London Marathon. This year Kenyan super-athlete Tegla Louroupe will run for Oxfam - she last won it in 2000, and has broken eight world records since becoming the first African woman to win the New York marathon in 1994. If you're thinking about following in Tegla's footsteps next year, you might be interested to know about Oxfam's gold scheme. Among the perks are a massage at the end of the race, and an Oxfam pub en route where your friends can cheer you on in-between pints. We're already accepting applications for the 2006 marathon, for those who are keen as mustard. Find out more about running the London Marathon for Oxfam >> Read more about Tegla Louroupe >> posted at 3:42 PM | Permalink 0 comments

General election: what would swing your vote? As you might know, Tony Blair (pictured, in his favourite cap) launched the Labour Party manifesto today, with a pledge for action on HIV/AIDS treatment, commitment to an international arms trade treaty and a timetable for phasing out agricultural export subsidies (if, like us, you don't really know what this means, have a look on the trade page). As the other parties outline their election manifestos, everyone at Oxfam will be keen to see what commitments to international development are made. And we're really interested to find out what YOU consider the most important political issues. Is it tuition fees? Poverty relief? Public services? We've set up a poll to find out what politicians need to do to get your backing. Vote now! And then vote for real on 5 May. Vote in the poll >> posted at 10:25 AM | Permalink 3 comments

Music Month is here! This April Oxfam shops across the UK are putting a special focus on music as part of Music Month, now in its second year. Many Oxfam shops have great second-hand music collections, and Music Month is their chance to really show them off, and dig out those rare LPs and signed CDs. It's not just about store promotions though - several shops are also hosting pop quizzes, inviting bands to play in their shops, or organising gigs or club nights in aid of Oxfam. Plus, Oxfam have managed to get 3,000 limited edition Beatles posters signed by Paul McCartney (pictured) himself, and we're flogging them off in our shops. But we're running out, so you'd better get down there quickly... Get more info about Music Month 2005 >> Find your nearest Oxfam shop on oxfam.org.uk >> posted at 12:19 PM | Permalink 2 comments

Thanks for filling in our survey! A big thanks to the 200 of you who filled in our reader survey. Your comments on the website are really helpful, and give us a good idea of what we need to work on to make Generation Why better for you. For instance, many of you said you wanted to see more stories relating to Oxfam's issues, plus more competitions. To show that we're listening, we've added new stories on Zambia's education crisis, credit and education programmes in Mali, and the Kuapa Kokoo cocao co-operative in Ghana. We've also got some great competitions coming up, so keep your eyes peeled. Oh, and congrats to Andrew Flagg, who won himself a free Generation Why t-shirt for filling in our survey and getting pulled out of the hat. posted at 11:14 AM | Permalink 0 comments

June Sarpong wears our t-shirts! Look at this - our t-shirts get a celeb endorsement! Here, our favourite T4 presenter, the gorgeous June Sarpong, sports one of our very fetching Oxfam t-shirts. The pic was taken on June's recent trip to Ghana with Oxfam, where she found out more about the inequalities of global trade (you may have heard about the trip on the telly or the radio). Find out more about the trip here. Ask June a question about her trip to Ghana >> posted at 12:42 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Global Week of Action for Trade Justice! It's here - the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice. Whilst most of us here at GWhy can't wait for Friday's Trade Justice Vigil in Whitehall, there are loads of other events all across the globe. It's set to be one of the biggest global protests ever seen with over 10 million people from 70 countries expected to take part. You can see a list of all the events Oxfam is involved in across the globe here and find out more about the origins of the week here. Are you going on Friday? Go on - we are. And so is Thom Yorke. Oh, and Ronan Keating >> posted at 10:54 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Here's your chance to ask MPs about poverty With the general election finally announced, Oxfam has rounded up a panel of MPs representing five of the main political parties so that you can ask them what they are doing about global poverty. Among them are Hilary Benn (Secretary of State for International Development, pictured), Alan Duncan (Tory Shadow Secretary of State for International Development) and Tom Brake (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for International Development). You've got until 14 April to ask them that burning question, so have a good think first... More info on oxfam.org.uk >> posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink 0 comments

World Health Day - tomorrow! Tomorrow (that's Thursday 7 April) is World Health Day 2005, with a focus on mothers' and children's health worldwide. The slogan this year is "make every mother and child count", pointing to the issue that the health of women and children is not given high enough priority by many governments and international organisations. In the run-up to the week, the World Health Organisation has been recording the lives of six mothers as they approach the birth of their children. Read the mothers' stories here >> Get more info on World Health Day >> posted at 10:41 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Blair calls general election for 5 May Blair took his time, but in the end he did just what everyone said he would. The PM's announcement for a 5 May general election means that the nation will head to the polls in exactly a month. Last time round, only 59.4 per cent of those eligible to vote did so. The only people who can improve that stat are the potential voters themselves. Are you one of them? If you are, and you're not sure whether you can be bothered to vote, then take a look at our vote page. It will give you an idea of how important your vote might be in shaping the fortunes of millions of the world's poorest people. Or, if you want to vote but don't really know about the policies of each party concerning poverty relief, then simply follow the link below: Read more about the general election on oxfam.org.uk >> posted at 3:58 PM | Permalink 0 comments

June Sarpong goes to Ghana with Oxfam Browsing through the Evening Standard yesterday (as you do) we saw a rather eye-catching story about June Sarpong's recent visit to Ghana (her native country) with Oxfam. June went to see for herself the difficulties faced by Ghana's rice farmers, who have suffered from imported rice (mainly from the US) flooding the market. Seeing the effect of unfair trade on the families of Ghana was clearly emotional for June - 'Every evening I've been in tears' - but she's returned determined to influence politicans and celebrities to make a difference. 'We're the me, me, me generation,' she said. 'I think most people don't think about others, not becuase they don't care but because they don't have to. It's important to get that generation proactive'. We'll have more about June's trip - including pics - on this site really soon. In the meantime, she's agreed to take your questions about her trip, her involvement with Oxfam and her interview with the PM not so long ago. So, send us your questions - we'll send the best ones to June and post her answers in the coming weeks. Send your questions to June here >> posted at 10:24 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Stars get politicians to give a day to poverty Just seen this story on the Times website - in the lead up to the next general election, the three main political parties have agreed to spend one day focusing on the relief of world poverty. This follows work by the Make Poverty History campaign and celebs like Bob Geldof. So, the date to put in your diary is Sunday 24 April - or 'World Poverty Day' as it's being called. On that day political leaders like Blair, Howard and Kennedy will tell us their plans for international development - so keep your eyes and ears peeled. More info here >> posted at 2:00 PM | Permalink 2 comments

Music4Life: back with a vengeance After a short break, Music4Life returns to the Notting Hill Arts Club this Sunday to provide the perfect finish to your weekend. The line-up is the best yet: Radio 1's Rob Da Bank tops the bill, accompanied by Portishead's DJ Andy Smith, Max Sedgeley (producer of last summer's club classic 'Happy'), Swedish electro outfit Kompis and Rough Trade's Superimposer. That's one Sunday that won't be a day of rest! As usual the night kicks off with a second-hand CD/vinyl fair and some films, before the DJs get busy around 8. Go along and help Oxfam while having a great time - spiffing stuff. posted at 11:04 AM | Permalink 0 comments