Generation Why from Oxfam Blog

What do you think?

2008-08-28T17:12:00.001+01:00

Are exams still useful? – Do exams really test the ability of young people? Do pupils learn useful things at school? Are exams just an extra stress for young people? Should young people bother sitting examinations?
Nelson Mandela - Freedom Fighter or Terrorist? Does Nelson Mandela’s involvement in a violent revolutionary group overshadow his political achievements? Is he a hero or a villain?
Stranded: A Special Report on the state of public transport in the UK – Can young people afford to use public transport? Should there be a national concessionary fare card for young people?
To find out what young people said about these topics and a host of others, read the latest jam packed issue of Debatable, the UK Youth Parliament’s quarterly magazine written by and for young people.

Catch21: There is a way out.

2008-08-07T16:06:00.003+01:00

Introducing Catch21 - the UK’s first internet television channel based at Westminster.

"Whenever you have a question, comment or view that you want heard we'll make sure it happens, right here, in the heart of power. Catch21 is here for you and is here to stay."

Catch21 is a production company which produces shows with the purpose of encouraging and invigorating an informed and politically active young electorate. They offer clear democratic forums for debate and establish two-way communication channels between young people, political representatives and representatives of other relevant organisations. Catch21 combines innovative vision and entrepreneurial spirit and seeks to impart the value and importance of full electoral engagement in every form of political activity utilising a variety of media to broadcast our events to a wider audience.

Catch21 unlike Catch-22 provides a way out. A way out of political disillusionment.

Global Xchange needs you!

2008-07-22T11:08:00.011+01:00

Global Xchange is a six-month programme which gives young people from different countries a unique opportunity to work together, to develop and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities. The exchanges were designed to be fully reciprocal, involving young people from the developed and developing world in equal numbers, and working on community projects in both areas. Volunteers live and work together for three months in the UK and three months in the partner country working on community projects, these volunteer placements will be structured so that they are able to make a positive and practical contribution to the community they are living in.

"I wouldn't say I completely changed as a result of Global Xchange - it rather gave me the opportunity to develop what I feel was already there. It's been the perfect stepping stone in my future career, since I now have a much better idea of what I want to do and what I want to achieve in life." Rosanna Wynn Williams GX volunteer 2007/8

Global Xchange is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience, make new friends and learn about new cultures. And if you aren't already convinced... Global Xchange don't ask volunteers to pay for the experience, they cover all direct costs and help you fundraise towards the cost. Brilliant!

The partner countries for the next exchange will be Pakistan , Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Mongolia

Trailwalker is go Go GO!

2008-07-11T17:31:00.006+01:00

This summer is full of fun for us here at Oxfam HQ, not only are we all over the country at festivals but we have our very own amazing event happening - Trailwalker.

Now this isn’t for the faint hearted and what you are about to read is true!

Some amazing and lovely people are challenging themselves to the physically gruelling task of walking 100k within 30hours, and to make matters harder, it will be overnight and in the South Downs.
They do all this in teams of four and raise loads of money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare trust.

We have made a gorgeous animation all about their efforts - The Trailway Code

Trailwalker takes place on 19th-20th July, and we want to wish all the teams the very best of luck, and it will be an amazing experience you will never forget.

Festival season is here (it's official) and you can go for free!

2008-07-10T15:52:00.005+01:00

We get very excited at this time of year, as it’s time for us to put on our Oxfam t-shirts and go meet and greet you lovely people at the UK festivals.

So far on our check list:
Isle of Wight – done, Glastonbury –done, Cornbury – also done!

11 more to go! Latitude, Glade, Love Box, Womad, Summer Sundae, Bloom festival, Beautiful Days, V, Leeds and Reading and last but by no means least Bestival.

Glastonbury was suffering from the ‘Jimmy Cliff effect’ – which is another way of saying it was hot and gorgeous just like when he performed in 2003! He really did ‘see clearly now the rain has gone’, and also ‘it’s going to be a bright sun shinny day’ (We love him!). The Oxfam shop was very successful this year, so successful that we ran out of dresses and ‘grandma blankets’ within the first two days. You couldn’t get away from men in wedding dresses all over the festival site!

This year we have been asking festivals-goers ‘What gets your knickers in a twist?’. If you go to a festival this summer, come and visit us in the Oxfam tent to get your knickers untwisted by our beautiful Oxfam campaigners.

Competition – Do I hear you haven’t got a ticket for a festival yet? – Why not enter one of our competitions for V, Leeds or Reading?

Click here to see what we’re doing and how you can get involved. If you’re not at a festival this year, click here to tell us what gets your knickers in a twist

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Raise funds for Burma - London 1 June

2008-05-23T10:50:00.006+01:00

On Sunday 1st June, Get Cape. Wears Cape Fly's Sam Duckworth will host a night of live music at London's Scala to raise funds and awareness for those affected by the cyclone that has devastated the Mynamar delta region of Burma. Sam has Burmese heritage and therefore the cause has great personal meaning.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly will perform live with full band at the event, which takes place at London's Scala.

Full Line-Up
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
Enter Shikari
Tom and Russell from Editors
The Veils
The Xcerts

All proceeds and donations from the event will go directly to Oxfam's Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone appeal.

The cyclone hit Burma on Saturday 3rd May and the state media in Myanmar have reported a death toll of 78,000 to date. Current reports suggest that 1.5 million people are now homeless in the region, with the aid effort facing huge challenges.

Tickets are priced £20.00 + booking fee from www.wegottickets.com (all profits from the booking fee will also be donated to Oxfam's Burma appeal)

More information on Oxfam's aid to the region

www.getcapewearcapefly.com

Support the 250km swim in aid of Burma

2008-05-19T17:20:00.002+01:00

A Sheffield woman is taking to the waves to raise money for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by Cyclone Nargis in Burma.

Tooss Williams is going to swim 250 kilometres in her local pool. That’s 1000 lengths!

Please sponsor her a penny a length – just 10 pounds for the whole feat.

30 thousand people have died, and over one and a half million people have been left homeless. At this point 85 per cent of people have still not received any aid. The victims need shelter, clean water, food, and health care.

Tooss said "I just really want to raise as much money as possible for the Burmese victims of Cyclone Nargis. I normally always give to appeals by Oxfam but this year I thought I’d be more pro-active and raise some money myself. I also really want to get fit and thought this might be a good way to get me motivated!"

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), is co-ordinating an emergency appeal to fund work across the region - providing cash support, technical expertise, and vital equipment.

Sponsoring Tooss will help the aid workers in Burma to respond to immediate needs, as well as help people as they recover from the cyclone.

You can help save lives, please go to www.justgiving.com/tooss and donate.

Climate change - which statement would you use to challenge Environment Ministers?

2008-05-12T10:39:00.005+01:00

The British Council’s International Climate Champions youth representatives want to put together a youth statement on climate change. So far they have drafted 3 statements, one of which will be presented to the environment ministers at the G8 Summit in Kobe next month.

Only one Challenge will be presented. You can be part of making a difference by selecting which one it should be.

Which challenge do you want the champions to take forward to Kobe?

1 - Climate change is the problem and our generation is changing to become the solution.

2 - This generation will empower individuals to act on climate change for a sustainable future.

3 - To tackle climate change, we must recognise the challenge, accept responsibility and respond with integrity.

Vote now >>

Swap it now!

2008-04-25T12:12:00.003+01:00

Today, Friday 25 April, Oxfam supporters across the UK are getting creative, having a laugh, and doing their bit to encourage people to freshen up their wardrobes without adding to the mountain of stuff we chuck away by holding Swap It! parties.

We're even having our own Swap It! party here at Oxfam House (see right). Oxfam staff have been swapping their unwanted clothes, books, CDs, plants and even giant afro wigs since mid-day. Your correspondent has just returned from the fray with a lovely Damon Albarn CD in exchange for a frankly rather complicated cookery book. Result!

More about Swap It!
Every year 2 million tonnes of fashion items are bought in the UK and 900 million pieces of clothing and fashion accessories are thrown away. That’s a lot of stuff.

All this consumer madness is helping to drive climate change, and it’s the world’s poorest people who are feeling the brunt of it.

Get your mates together to hold a Swap It party. Whether it’s clothes, bags, CDs or video games, it’s simple – people bring stuff, swap stuff and help change stuff. It's Friday night, you don't need to do much to get the ball rolling so why not hold a Swap It party yourself?

Swap it now >>

Internship opportunity to work on the Oxfam website!

2008-04-24T12:41:00.002+01:00

An exciting internship opportunity is currently open for a Website Editorial Assistant to help shape how Oxfam communicates with young people.

Working as part of the Oxfam Youth Team, the people behind Generation Why, this internship offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone wishing to write and edit online content for one of the UK's largest charities.

If this sounds like you, hurry, applications close next week (2nd May)

Key responsibilities include:

Provide support for the Oxfam youth website Generation Why.

Writing regular content to encourage youth involvement, including features about Oxfam’s work, news stories, blogs, quizzes and competitions

Project managing the Your Say section (where young writers contribute regular features about campaigns and issues that they care about) – involves organising writers, commissioning, editing and coming up with ideas for feature.

Project managing Oxfam social networking spaces, including myspace.com/oxfamgb

Contributing ideas for new content that will help to engage young people

More information and how to apply >>

Patchwork Protest

2008-04-14T10:58:00.004+01:00

Lately, everywhere you look there are people doing it; on the tube, at the bus stop, in cafes, on lunch breaks and down the pub. There’s no doubt about it, knitting’s back.

Whoever you are, wherever you’re doing it, we need you! Oxfam’s on the search for all those of you who want to turn your needles to a spot of poverty fighting.

We’re aiming to collect 250,000 hand-knitted 9 inch squares, which we’ll put together to create a giant baby blanket. Then, in September, we’re going to be presenting the blanket to the government as a protest against the number of women who die unnecessarily in childbirth every year. Each square will represent a newborn orphan whose mother could have been saved this year, had decent healthcare been available.

Oxfam works to provide hospitals and midwifery training in parts of the world where having a baby still means risking your life. When we’ve made our point, the blanket will be taken apart and sold online and in Oxfam shops to raise money for Oxfam’s work.
Keep an eye out on the Oxfam website for more details or visit the stitch and bitch blog for essential knitting tips and more information.

Fairtrade universities' conference

2008-04-04T16:01:00.003+01:00

The Fairtrade universities' conference is open to anyone interested in giving their univesity or college Fairtrade status. It’s an opportunity to learn more about Fairtrade, to share experiences and challenges in becoming a Fairtrade institution, or to find out more about how to start a Fairtrade campaign.

This will be the fourth annual conference and this year it’s happening at the University of Derby on Tuesday the 22nd April. It’s open to students, teachers, lecturers and catering staff - anyone who wants to get involved really – and it’s set to be a good day.

Speakers include the executive director of The (fabulous) Fairtrade Foundation and writer and broadcaster Craig Murray. There’ll be workshops and disscussion sessions and the chance to browse the exhibition stalls and stock up on Fairtrade goodies. They’ll even some Fairtrade wine tasting to get you talking.

Find out more and book your place

Youth Change

2008-03-28T12:04:00.006Z

Over the last couple of years Oxfam has fought to make some important changes to improve people’s lives. Last year, Oxfam supporters campaigned to get Starbucks to pay Ethiopia a royalty when using the name of its coffee. In June Starbucks signed a landmark agreement with the Ethiopian government which will enable farmers to get a fairer price for their coffee.

That’s just one example of how campaigning can raise the profile of an issue and make a real impact on poverty and suffering in the world.

Youth change is a training programme designed to give you the skills to make your campaigning successful. It's a 5 day residential course run by Oxfam staff for young people, designed to provide specialist training on Oxfam’s campaigns by professional staff.

Learn how to really get your voice heard and make a difference through campaigning >>

Don't shop it, swap it!

2008-03-20T20:39:00.003Z

Every year 2 million tonnes of fashion items are bought in the UK and 900 million pieces of clothing and fashion accessories are thrown away. That’s a lot of stuff.

All this consumer madness is helping to drive climate change, and it’s the world’s poorest people who are feeling the brunt of it.

On the 25th April Oxfam supporters across the UK are getting creative, having a laugh, and doing their bit to encourage people to freshen up their wardrobes without adding to the mountain of stuff we chuck away.

Get your mates together to hold a Swap It party. Whether it’s clothes, bags, CDs or video games, it’s simple – people bring stuff, swap stuff and help change stuff.

Swap it now >>

V is for Volunteering

2008-03-13T08:00:00.000Z

V is a new charity for the upbeat, passionate and creative who want to make a difference, and, in their words, "have a bloody good time while they’re doing it".

The V team are recruiting an advisory board that will have a real influence on the work they do, helping to keep it fresh and inspiring. It would also be a great opportunity to do something different and develop your skills and experience whilst you’re at it.

Have a look at their site to find out more >>

M&S partnership sends Oxfam sales and donations rocketing

2008-03-11T16:34:00.002Z

The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange has been a huge hit with customers, and has raised an extra quarter of a million pounds for Oxfam's work in its first month.

So far more than 80,000 people have donated their M&S clothing to Oxfam since the launch of the Exchange.

The extra revenue raised across Oxfam's 750 shops in the UK between the launch of the Exchange on January 28 and March 1 was approximately £265,000. Some examples of what Oxfam could pay for with £265,000 include: Oxfam's project to protect up to 55,000 people from flooding in Colombia; helping 35,000 landless households in India to protect their incomes, health and security; Improving teacher training for 100,000 children in Tanzania.

The Exchange provides a £5 M&S voucher to people whose clothing donation to Oxfam includes one or more M&S labelled items. The voucher is redeemable against a £35 spend on M&S clothing, beauty and home products. Vouchers for use in March are available now, and April vouchers will be available from Easter weekend.

Find out more and take part in the M&S/Oxfam Clothes Exchange >>

Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly support Oxfam in Coventry

2008-02-29T10:18:00.004Z

Oxfam was busy campaigning at the Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly gig at the Kasbah in Coventry on Saturday 23 February. It was an awesome success. Here's Sam with our campaigners on the night, all wearing our famous Rock or Rave t-shirts.

Fairtrade hampers up for grabs

2008-02-28T14:12:00.005Z

Fairtrade fortnight is in full swing and our very own Fairtrade Woman has been eating strictly Fairtrade food. There’s a massive range of lovely Fairtrade food out there these days, but she needs all the support she can to get more people eating, buying and stocking it.

Get involved by taking one (or more) of the Fairtrade Challenges, and be in with the chance of winning some Fairtrade goodies too.

Check out the Facebook or Myspace page for more info

Global Exchange - VSO's international exchange programme for young people

2008-02-14T09:31:00.005Z

Ever thought of living, working and really making a difference in a developing country? Would you like the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture and make lifelong friends in the local community?

Global exchange is a six month exchange programme run by VSO where individuals are partnered with a young person from a developing country. Partners spend 3 months in each country working on community projects and living with host families to get a real feel for the culture and way of life.

Click here for more info http://www.globalxchange.org.uk/

Glastonbury registration now open

2008-02-12T14:58:00.000Z

As part of his continuing campaign to combat touting, Michael Eavis has confirmed that if you want to buy a ticket for Glastonbury 2008, you will first have to register. He explained, "I want to keep up the momentum we gathered last year by stopping ticket touting altogether - thank you for being so supportive of our registration process, which is after all quite tedious. I appreciate it so much".

The 2008 registration process is very similar to last year’s award winning system, which involved supplying your contact details and a passport standard photo. Everyone, including children aged 13 and over, who wants to buy tickets will need to register first to be eligible to go through the sales procedure on 6th April.

The registration period is 9am on Friday, 1st February, 2008, until midnight on Friday, 14th March 2008, either online here or by completing a registration form available from Millets outdoor shops. There will be no further extension beyond this date, so if you miss the 14th March deadline, you will not be able to buy a ticket for Glastonbury 2008.

Oxfam internship opportunity

2008-02-12T12:10:00.000Z

An opportunity has arisen for a Media Assistant intern in Oxfam's lively Media team.

This internship is for a period of 3 to 6 months and requires a commitment of at least 3 days per week (though this can be spread between Monday to Friday)

Providing business support to the media team
Maintaining appropriate electronic and paper systems for storing, distributing and retrieving information, keeping mailing lists updated, and researching media contacts
Researching and keeping abreast of popular media trends
Disseminating information including press releases and making follow up phone calls
Responding to external media enquiries related to the PR team and wider Media Unit
When appropriate leading on small-scale PR / media/celebrity projects

More information and application form >>

Win a month's supply of 'Dubble' Fairtrade choccy

2008-02-08T14:19:00.006Z

Our sweet friends at Dubble want to know what you think about Fairtrade and other important issues.

Take their survey for your chance to win a whole month's worth of scrummy choc.

Take the survey now >>

Don't miss out - Oxjam kicks off this April!

2008-02-05T15:16:00.000Z

No joke - Oxjam kicks off on the 1st of April this year and continues for the whole rocking month.

Picture getting 50-100 people in a room. All having a brilliant time and feeling super-special because they’re helping Oxfam to end poverty. And you'd be there, feeling v. proud.

So get your musical thinking cap on and plan an event - big or small. Every pound you raise counts.

Find out more >>

WANTED! - Information about Klaxon's fan James B

2008-01-29T12:33:00.001Z

One die-hard Klaxons fan named James wrote to us last month telling us about how inspirational the Klaxons have been to him, and we couldn’t help but be moved by his dedication to the band.

On the 10th January we announced him as one of two winners of exclusive Klaxons signed T-shirts, but alas, our emails have bounced back and we have no other contact details. We've still got his signed t-shirt and are desperate to get his well-deserved prize to him. James B – if you're out there – please get in touch at generationwhy@oxfam.org.uk

Donate an item of M&S clothing to Oxfam and get money off your next M&S purchase

2008-01-18T16:10:00.001Z

When you bring a bag of donated clothes containing at least one item of M&S clothing to any of Oxfam's 750 high street shops in the UK and 40 shops in Ireland, you'll get a £5 voucher for your next purchase of £35 or more of clothing, homeware or beauty products in M&S. Offer starts on 28 January 2008 and vouchers are valid during the calendar month in which they are received.

More information >