Scarlett Johansson skips the Oscars for Oxfam Bored of the whole palaver about Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetti? Well it was most encouraging to see that the tabloids have chosen a much worthier focus today – in the form of Scarlett Johansson. The Oscar winning actress has just returned from a trip to India and Sri Lanka with non other than the fantabulous Oxfam. During her 10-day visit, Scarlett visited a school for Dalit children in India, and areas affected by the tsunami in Sri Lanka. She said that: "Visiting Oxfam-funded school programs in rural communities has made me realize how vital education is to developing countries in bringing people out of poverty and giving them a sense of dignity, self-worth and confidence." So it’s good to see that celebrities are doing their bit in the fight against poverty, not just making face-saving trips to five star hotels (no names mentioned Goody)! Big thanks to Scarlett from Oxfam. Read more about her trip here >> posted at 4:53 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Congratulations to our Fairtrade Fortnight competition winners To celebarte Fairtrade Fortnight (which starts today!), we asked you to come up with your most desired Fairtrade products to win gig tickets. After trawling through many excellent suggestions, we’ve decided on some winners. Angelina Lluch earned her tickets to see The Fratellis by suggesting that there should be Fairtrade music (wonder how that’d work?). And Jane Seaburg won tickets to see Keane because she’d "like everyone to wake up to the idea of Fairtrade with a bowl of Fairtrade cornflakes". There were loads of great ideas – Fairtrade cosmetics, i-pods, recordable cds, and one of our favourites, peanut butter. Many of you also suggested products that are already out there – bananas, wine, dried fruit and nuts. There really are loads of great Fairtrade goodies already on offer, so to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, why not indulge in your favourite Fairtrade product? Get involved in Fairtrade Fortnight >> posted at 2:02 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Follow the shenanigans of Fairtrade Woman on MySpace Our good friend Becks, from the Make Trade Fair team, has decided to transform herself into the magnificent Fairtrade Woman for the entirety of Fairtrade Fortnight. For two whole weeks she will eat nothing but Fairtrade food– doesn’t sound that difficult, but when you look at her options you may think otherwise. To show your support for Becks, and follow her Fairtrade experience, add Fairtrade Woman as your friend on MySpace >> posted at 12:17 PM | Permalink 12 comments

Steward at festivals with Oxfam Just a quick message to let you know that we've started recruiting for stewards at this year's festivals. This your chance to steward at some of the best festivals of the summer - including Latitude, Reading, Leeds and End of the Road - and help to raise money for Oxfam while you're at it. And remember that if you want to steward at the Big One - Glastonbury - then stewarding at a smaller festival this year will give you priority access next year. Festival applications are open to previous stewards NOW, and will be made generally available from 12 March 2007. Find out more here >> posted at 8:33 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Music volunteers for Oxjam needed! Oxfam is looking for enthusiastic volunteers from all major UK cities and towns – from Aberdeen to Newquay - to be regional co-ordinators for Oxjam. If you've got what it takes to co-ordinate Oxjam events, support a group of event organisers, and develop marketing and media ideas, then we want to hear from you. You'll gain great experience for your CV, meet new people, get involved with your local music scene and have a great time while helping to raise loads of money and learning more about Oxfam's work to end poverty. The deadline for application forms is Sunday 18 February, so this is your last chance to get involved in one of the biggest music events this year. You can apply to be a Regional Coordinator by visiting www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam. If you have any questions, e-mail music@oxfam.org.uk or call the Oxjam team on 01865 472369. posted at 1:22 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Two days to take action against Novartis We want you to take urgent action against multinational drug company Novartis, which is challenging India's patent law in court. India plays an important role as the "pharmacy of the developing world" - supplying affordable medicines to millions of people living in poverty worldwide. If Novartis wins, these people could be deprived of a wide range of medicines, including cheaper cancer and HIV drugs. 15 February 2007 could be the final court hearing. Your help is urgently needed. E-mail Novartis and tell them to drop the court case >> posted at 9:34 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Win tickets to see Keane and The Fratellis during Fairtrade Fortnight Fairtrade Fortnight is soon approaching and to help promote it we're giving away tickets to see the fabulous (and probably Fairtrade) Keane and The Fratellis (pictured, right). To win the prize, we want your Fairtrade suggestions. Fairtrade Fortnight is the annual celebration of all things Fairtrade, taking place between 26 February and 11 March. The theme this year is 'Change Today, Choose Fairtrade', with the aim of encouraging as many people as possible to add Fairtrade to their shopping list. How to win There are loads of Fairtrade products out there – chocolate, wine, coffee, trainers - but we want to know what’s missing. What would help you switch to Fairtrade? To be in with a chance of winning either set of tickets, let us know exactly what product you’d most like to see a Fairtrade version of. Send your suggestions to generationwhy@oxfam.org.uk with - your daytime telephone number - the band you’d like to see in the subject line. We'll pick our favourite based on originality, wit or, err, whatever floats our boat the most. The details for the gigs are: 27/28 Feb – The Fratellis at Birmingham Academy 4 March - Keane at Manchester Arena Closing date: Friday 23 February posted at 3:04 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Our best of 2006 winner speaks Just had a lovely e-mail from the winner of our competition to win a whole LOAD of CDs and music DVDs from 2006. John Freeman was the lucky man, and is now the proud owner of a whole year's worth of new-ish music. "Many many thanks for the super prize! Wow!!! A very eclectic mix which will provide many hours of entertainment. a good mixture which included some of my favourite artists; velvet underground, bob marley, eels, snow patrol, the feeling, U2 and the list goes on and on... There are probably many disappoint people who entered the competition but hopefully they like me will have found out just how many campaigns Oxfam run and will continue to support the good work and encourage other to do so too. Thanks again!" posted at 3:14 PM | Permalink 0 comments

We love snow We love, love, LOVE the snow. We want it every day. Then we could make weird little snowmen and throw massive snow-lumps at each other ALL DAY. Hoorah! Better enjoy it while it lasts - it'll all be melted tomorrow. Boo. posted at 1:23 PM | Permalink 1 comments

Register for Glastonbury tickets ASAP Just a quickie - you've probably heard all the hype about registering for Glasto tickets this year. It's a drive to stop the touts once and for all. Basically, everyone who wants to buy a ticket needs to register during February - and send a photo, too. This means that everyone will have their photo on their ticket - and they won't be able to sell them on. Everyone who registers will receive a unique registration number to quote when they try to buy tickets - which go on sale at 9.00 am on 1 April. Oxfam has had a close relationship with Glastonbury for years - we provide the stewards, we've got shops selling second hand gear, and we campaign too... Hopefully see you there! posted at 1:11 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Want to work with us at festivals? Just a little update on yesterday's blog - we've also got an amazing opportunity for a volunteer to help with our work at festivals. We're after an energetic and well-organised (with a little sprinkle of creativity thrown in for good measure) festivals production intern. As well as getting great experience of working in a dynamic team in a successful NGO, you'll also go to a whole summer's worth of festivals - including Glasto, V and the Carling Weekend. Not bad, eh? If you get the post, you'll be supporting our campaiging work at festivals. You'll help us to coordinate and motivate volunteers, and organise everything that goes behind getting a great big Oxfam tent in the middle of a busy, muddy field. You'll need great communication skills, a driving licence and be up for chipping in and working weekends. You'll also get to project manage two festivals off your own back. Up for it? Get your application in pronto. Find out more and apply now >> posted at 11:11 AM | Permalink 2 comments

Want to work in the Oxfam youth team? Do you love the things we feature on Generation Why? Want to be involved in the team (see crazy team pics, right) behind them all? We've got two fantastic volunteer opportunities coming up in the youth team here at Oxfam, where you'll get the chance to make a massive contribution to our work with young people in the UK. If you like writing and communicating ideas, you'll love the opportunity to be an editorial assistant here on Generation Why. You'll write regular content, come up with new and exciting content ideas, and help to manage our Your Say writers - PLUS you'll have the opportunity to report back on what we get up to at this summer's festivals. Or, if you're creative and well-organised, and full to the brim with energy and ideas, you could apply to be a youth team project assistant. You'll play a key role in supporting our projects, and work closely with the team to develop materials and resources - and help to organise training events and meetings. Both volunteer opportunities are for six months, starting in May this year at Oxfam House (see exciting pic of Oxfam staircase) - they're a great way to get experience of a successful NGO, develop your skills, and meet some lovely people at the same time (of course!). Find out more and apply now >> posted at 1:58 PM | Permalink 0 comments

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