Global Village News and Resources Issue 100 - July, 2005

Nourish the World

The Make Poverty History coalition is calling on the G8 to ensure that the unpayable debts of the world’s poorest countries are cancelled in full, without harming aid budgets to meet any costs. It recognises that aid cannot compensate for unfair terms of trade.  Furthermore, the coalition wishes the G8 to stop forcing poor countries to follow imposed policies in return for debt cancellation and to agree to a just and transparent system for handling debt problems, which takes account of poor countries’ needs and views and not just those of the creditors.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/1.htm

Towards a Lasting Peace

At the end of July, peacemakers will gather in Mekorot Hayarkon, Israel at an event which aims to develop trust, compassion and reconciliation between neighbours in the Holy Land. On the Way to Sulha, aims to complement diplomatic and political channels and one of the main challenges will be to integrate the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza (Pinui) into the content of the gathering.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/2.htm

Seeds of Hope

This July, young people from different backgrounds across the globe will come together in Bethlehem to participate in an environmental initiative to promote peace. PeaceTrees is a programme dedicated to providing opportunities for young people, advocating environmental restoration, youth leadership, global co-operation and conflict resolution.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/3.htm

• Cultivating Youth
   
• America’s Urban Youth Writing For Change
   
• Global Student Forum 2005 - Making Poverty History
   
• Student Survivor - The Interactive Online Game Bringing Real Benefits
   
• I Am Here - Thinking Creatively About Refugees

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/4.htm

Tree Athlon

The first ever Tree-Athlon will be taking place in Battersea Park, in London, in September 2005, to raise money for the planting and nurture of thousands of trees across the UK and internationally.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/5.htm

The Sioux Turn Hemp into Homes

The Oglala Sioux Tribe, from South Dakota, have been making use of a revolutionary, new building material made from hemp. Hempcrete is much lighter, tougher and more weatherproof than traditional concrete and it offers those who live on the Reservation the long-awaited return to a self-sustainable and independent life. After much legal campaigning, the Slim Butte Land Use Association, or LUA, were recently granted their secured treaty right to cultivate and harvest ‘industrial hemp’, even though it has been growing wild on the Prairies since the 1800s.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/6.htm

Banking on a Better Future

The banking system, however it is run, lies at the heart of our environmental crisis. You cannot lend money at interest without enhancing the need for economic growth. If someone needs £100 to fund whatever they want to do, they have to pay £110 back, then they have to enhance their own economic growth by 10 per cent. If everybody funds their lives by that means, then the world as a whole increases its economic growth by 10 per cent, and we have a problem.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/7.htm

We are celebrating the 100th edition of GVNR this issue. As we do so events are unfolding that could effect millions in the world. It coincides with an interesting point in history where matters such as world poverty and global warming are being considered by just a handful of people. Their decisions could make a difference to the future of the planet. At the same time people power is stirring throughout the world, taking many diverse forms. Ordinary people are discovering that the only way to bring about change is to change themselves. People's consciences are stirring collectively calling for compassion and action. Many individuals are making a difference to massive challenges ahead by making small but significant changes in their lives. Added together they are a force for hope.

For Full Article, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/editorial.htm

Letters to the Editory:

From Fax to Faculty:  Taddy Blecher must be the first person to have founded a university from a fax machine.

For Letters to the Editor, Click Here:
http://www.gvnr.com/100/letters.htm