BBC's 'Wrong Guy' auctions shirt for Oxfam Just seen this little story on the BBC website: a man who was mistaken for an IT expert on BBC News 24 is auctioning the blue shirt he was wearing at the time - for Oxfam. Guy Goma was meant to be at a job interview, but a producer mistook him for Guy Kewney, the editor of Newswirless.net. The mix-up meant that Goma was whisked up to the TV studio and asked for his views on a big IT court case live on air. "I didn't get the job but I did become an overnight celebrity," says Guy on the 15 minutes auction website. "I'm auctioning this shirt off so that someone else can be as lucky as I was." Growing up in the Congo, Guy has seen Oxfam's on-going humanitarian efforts since they began in 1960s, helping to improve access to clean water, schools and healthcare. "I chose Oxfam because of the amazing work the charity does across the world," he said. "Oxfam has a reputation for doing things in a different way and so I thought my story would fit in very well." "It's great that Guy is using his moment of fame to highlight the needs of others," said Oxfam's Katie Abbotts. "If the final bid reaches £500 he could provide 100s of people in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo with clean safe water. Guy's is a great example of new ways that people can raise money to contribute towards Oxfam's work." Bid for Guy's lucky shirt on 15minuteaction.com >> posted at 12:24 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Indonesia earthquake: latest You may have seen in the papers and on the news over the weekend that an earthquake has struck central Java, Indonesia, near the town of Yogyakarta (see map). Oxfam's emergency teams are now supporting an estimated 20,000 people left homeless by the earthquake, providing them with clean water and essential supplies. In total, an estimated 150,000-200,000 people have been left homeless following the disaster. Oxfam teams have installed water tanks at three hospitals and distributed tarpaulins for shelter and hygiene kits to prevent the outbreak of disease. Get the latest on Oxfam's response >> posted at 10:48 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Join the Stop AIDS eyeball campaign There are over 40 million people in the world living with HIV and AIDS, and 600 people die from AIDS every day in South Africa alone. The UK government made a promise at the last election of "AIDS treatment for all by 2010". It needs to be chased up, as do governments and leaders around the globe. Take action Add your eye to the eyeball petition and let Tony Blair know you're watching him. Find out more Read about Oxfam's work on HIV and AIDS and the People and Planet briefing on AIDS. posted at 2:21 PM | Permalink 0 comments

BBC Question Time: Are you passionate about what matters today? Are you young, well-informed, articulate and passionate about what matters today? If so, you have the chance to be a panellist on the BBC's flagship political programme, Question Time. A team of students from around Britain are helping produce a special edition of Question Time with a youth theme and are looking for a new star panellist. Applicants must be aged 18-25 and send a mobile phone video clip explaining why they want to be on Question Time. The successful candidate will go head-to-head with politicians and public figures in the debate chaired by David Dimbleby and broadcast to millions of viewers on BBC One. Find out more on the BBC website >> posted at 4:30 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Come clubbing with us this bank holiday! This Sunday 28 May why not head to Edinburgh's famous Cabaret Voltaire club (pictured) for a night of partying in support of Control Arms. The theme of the evening will be 'Carry on up the Camp' and DJs will include our very own DJ Beefy and the popular comedian and DJ, Harry Ainsworth, will host the night. Photographers will be there to snap clubbers as part of the Million Faces petition, and 25% of the takings on the door will go to Oxfam. Music lovers will be able to buy from the Oxfam music stand and for those who are interested in getting more involved there will be an exhibition with information on Control Arms and volunteering activities. Things kick-off from 11pm. Tickets are only available on the door and cost just £3 before 12pm and £5 after, with concessions all night for students and anyone who dresses up. DJ Beefy is really looking forward to the event and said: 'Young people are concerned with the issue of arms control and Sunday night will be a great chance to get involved in the Million Faces campaign and learn more about Oxfam, whilst having a great night out.' See you there! posted at 11:13 AM | Permalink 0 comments

This week is Control Arms week of action Over 960,000 people have joined the Million Faces Petition and this week, as part of the Control Arms week of action, activists will be presenting the faces to key decision makers around the world. This comes just a month before the United Nations Small Arms Review Conference in New York and will keep the pressure building for governments to agree on an international Arms Trade Treaty. There is still plenty of time for you to show your support by adding your face to the petition - why not join the Million Faces Stadium ahead of the football World Cup? Find out more about Control Arms >> posted at 1:26 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Hero or Zero goes to Westminster Oxfam campaigners took to the stage outside the Houses of Parliament yesterday to ask Tony Blair whether he will be a Hero or Zero - can he use all his powers to convince Europe to rescue the world trade talks? Find out more about Hero or Zero >> posted at 4:09 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Is Blair a Hero or a Zero? Play the game and find out! As the battle over world trade rages we're starting a bit of a battle of our own, and it's all over the new highly addictive Make Trade Fair game - Hero or Zero? It's a simple concept - choose your country and fire the leader from a cannon as far as you can - with a serious message: How far will world leaders go to make trade fair? We've been hooked all morning and so far we've shot Mr Blair a poor 900 metres - but our best so far is Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) at an impressive 1,266 metres! Whilst we've all been busy trying to beat each other's score we've also taken time out to sign the Big Noise petition, representing millions of people accross the world who are calling for decision makers to make trade fair. With your help we can make it the biggest petition ever. So, do you think you can beat our score? Add your comments below and let us know what you get! Play Hero or Zero? now >> posted at 11:37 AM | Permalink 1 comments

Reserve your seat at the Million Faces Stadium! With just three weeks to go until the World Cup, football fever is well and truly taking over - so join the likes of Arsene Wenger and show your support for Control Arms by reserving your seat at the new interactive Million Faces Stadium! This stadium is part of the Million Faces petition that has been set up to put pressure on governments across the world to toughen up controls on the arms trade, and it couldn't be easier to show your support - simply choose your seat and log your details. There are plenty of seats to fill, so why not invite your friends to join and you can sit together? Alternatively, you can browse the details of the people who have already snapped up their seat and find someone interesting to sit next to. Reserve my seat at the Million Faces Stadium >> posted at 2:44 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Wanted: music event organisers and promoters Would you like to use your passion for music to help end poverty and suffering in the world? We are offering the opportunity for you to do just that as part of the UK's largest music fundraising campaign. We're looking for organisers, promoters, and people with a passion for live music to organise Oxfam-branded music events during our live music month this October. Collectively you will make up one of the biggest live music networks in the UK. We will provide you with training, support and resources that you will need to raise £1000. This will include opportunities for you to: learn more about our work; take part in master classes in event organisation, marketing and the music industry; and participate in training on how to network within your local music scene. For more information please contact music@oxfam.org.uk or 01865 472369. posted at 1:39 PM | Permalink 0 comments

YOU can do the most to end poverty Do you remember back in April when we asked you to vote for who you think could change the world? Well plenty of you did - nearly 9,000 votes have been counted and the winner is... You! According to the results of our I'm In People's Poll, people accross Britain believe that they could do a better job of ending world poverty than high-profile figures from the Pope to Tony Blair. In fact Mr Blair came in at number five - just above Gordon Brown but trailing behind Live8 and Make Poverty History ambassadors Bob Geldof and Bono (who came in at numbers three and four respectively). A voter from East London said: 'If we all stand up and say we want to end poverty then I think we can make a big enough statement for those that really need to listen.' The top 10 1. Me 2. George Bush 3. Bob Geldof 4. Bono 5. Tony Blair 6. Gordon Brown 7. Nelson Mandela 8. Bill Gates 9. Pope Benedict XVI 10. Oprah Winfrey More about the poll on oxfam.org.uk >> posted at 9:54 AM | Permalink 2 comments

What are you doing for World Fairtrade Day? Just a quick note to let you know that World Fairtrade Day is on Saturday 13 May. It's celebrated every year and is a great opportunity to draw attention to the work of Fairtrade organisations who have helped to promote tasty, feel-good Fairtrade grub (as well as feel-good Fairtrade footballs, wine, cotton and juice, of course). There are loads of ways you can get involved and show your support - you could visit a Fairtrade shop (there are 115 in the UK), or get down your local Oxfam shop and tuck in to the Fairtrade goodies on sale. To discover more ways to make World Fairtrade Day the Fairtradiest day of the year, read our top 10 ways to support Fairtrade. More about World Fair Trade day >> posted at 9:02 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Join Generation Why at this year's festivals There really is no better way to get involved this summer than to campaign with us at one of the big music festivals. You'll get the chance to raise awareness of Oxfam's campaigns and get in for FREE - but you need to hurry, places at WOMAD and Reading have already been snapped up. Those of you who've seen us at festivals before may recognise the skeleton of our beloved campervan (above) - she's currently under-going some work to get her on the road for the summer. Look out for the finished article at a festival near you. For those of you who haven't had the full Oxfam festival experience then get ready for a weekend packed full of meeting new people, dancing in the Oxfam marquee to our resident DJs and drinking plenty of Fairtrade coffee - there really is no better way to do what you love doing and change the world at the same time... Find out more about campaigning at festivals >> posted at 9:12 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Win a pair of tickets to see Bell X1! We've got a pair of tickets to give away for the brilliant Bell X1's gig in London on Thursday 25 May. All you have to do to enter is send an e-mail titled 'Bell X1' to generationwhy@oxfam.org.uk, together with your name and telephone number. The deadline is 12.00 pm on Friday 19 May when we'll select the winner and contact them. Competition terms and conditions Irish stars Bell X1 have been supporters of Oxfam for many years, and recently invited our volunteers on tour with them to raise awareness about the Control Arms campaign. They also donated a great download song 'Still Selling Shoes' to Oxfam in April. posted at 5:58 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Do we appreciate our education? Have you read the latest Your Say article? Ruth Webb argues that young people in the UK don't appreciate their education. This article makes for interesting reading. Ruth compares attitudes in the UK with those in countries like Zambia, who have to spend millions of dollars on debt repayments meaning that they cannot afford to offer a quality education to everyone. We believe that education is a basic human right. Pupils in Britain have the right to receive a free education until the age of 16, but their attitude is seen to be reflected through statistics - in the last two years 560 million pounds has been spent to tackle truancy rates. Do you agree that these statistics represent the general attitude to education in Britain? Do they represent your attitude? What do you think about the issues Ruth has raised in her article? Add your comment below and let us know. Read Ruth Webb's article >> Find out more about Oxfam's involvement with education >> posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Lobby parliament on 10 May for Control Arms If you've ever wanted to meet your MP and ask them lots of difficult questions then now's your chance. As you may know Oxfam, Amnesty International and IANSA (the International Action Network on Small Arms) have been campaigning as part of Control Arms to build support among governments for an international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Next Wednesday Amnesty International is asking supporters of Control Arms to go to London for a lobby of parliament. The day will give supporters the opportunity to meet their MP, talk to them about the arms trade and ask them to support the campaign. Before you go, you'll have a full briefing so you will be well prepared. All you have to do is make an appointment with your MP after 12.30pm next Wednesday. For full details of how to get involved >> posted at 3:15 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Birmingham band Aquila support Oxfam with download Up-and-coming Midlands stars Aquila (pictured) have given their support to Oxfam and Control Arms with a download of their song Nightmares. The download costs just 99p, and all profits go to Oxfam. They join Irish band Bell X1 who recently donated a free download of their song Still Selling Shoes to Oxfam. Aquila have supported Make Poverty History, Make Trade Fair and Control Arms at their gigs since 2004. Their song Nightmares was inspired by the illegal arms trade, and "the fact that there are enough bullets in the world to kill everyone three times over". As the song puts it: "Point the finger. Pull the trigger. Turn your back and face the wall. Got a figure we can work with. Got 3 bullets for us all." Rich Stokes, Aquila's singer and songwriter, says: "There are more controls on the sale of postage stamps than a weapon designed solely for the purpose of killing another human being. Governments must act now to control this horrendous trade." Download the Aquila song now >> posted at 1:16 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Apply now for Frontrunner (four-day course for young activists) Do you want to make a difference in society? Are you aged between 19-22? If so you might be interested in Frontrunner, a free, four-day course designed to inspire young people to take an active role within society and to develop their leadership skills. (Click the image to look at their flyer.) The programme includes a variety of speakers - last year's speakers included the Founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, Doreen Lawrence, and an active campaigner for Stonewall, Simon Fanshawe. This year Frontrunner is being held at the University of Westminster and will run from 3-6 July. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 9 May. Find out more and apply for Frontrunner 2006 >> posted at 12:41 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Keira's dress is a success! Keira Knightley's Oscar dress (see pic) has raised £4,301 on eBay for Oxfam's East African food crisis appeal - enough to feed 5,000 children for a month in Tanzania. The auction attracted a total of 49 bids, with a flurry of bidding in the final seconds. Keira thought it was brilliant that her dress raised so much money: "I know it will go a long way to help the people facing this food crisis in East Africa." The winner, an anonymous bidder from Chicago in the US, said: "I bought the dress to prove to my wife that she has a figure as lovely as Miss Knightley's! I am very pleased to have won the auction, and am even happier to support Oxfam's East African food crisis appeal. I'm hopeful that this auction has drawn some much needed additional attention to the crisis. It is quite likely that I will re-auction the dress at some point in the near future, with 100 per cent of the proceeds once again donated to the relief efforts." So if you missed out this time, keep your eyes peeled! More about Oxfam's East Africa food crisis appeal >> posted at 10:33 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Oxfam GB is a ltd company, reg in London No 612172, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Oxford OX4 2JY
Reg. charity No 202918. Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International
Oxfam GB Privacy Policy    |    Website Terms and Conditions