Just to add to the post a couple of days ago, the BBC has posted some photos on the Philippines. An interesting photo collage on poverty in the Philippines.
On another note, on Monday the Philippine Ambassador to the UK is coming to Bradford and together with some of the other Filipinos here we will be hosting him with a roundtable discussion on peace and sustainable development on the Philippines. Don't have a clue what that means but we'll see what we come up with by Monday.
February 23, 2006
February 21, 2006
no survivors
There are between 1000 to 2500 feared dead. 84 confirmed dead. Mass graves and a school buried in the mud. The mudslide in Guinsaugon last Friday is another tragedy hitting the Philippines. Rescuers have confirmed that there are no survivors from the school that is buried.
The news reports give many reasons for the landslides, including a small earthquake, rains and of course deforestation and illegal logging (!!!!). At this time I would like to extend my prayers and thoughts to the displaced families and those who have lost loved ones.
I'm sure some of the bigger humanitarian organisations have come to the aid (at least briefly) of the Philippines. If you are interested in finding out or donating, you could flip through some of their websites. A quick search led me to this.
The news reports give many reasons for the landslides, including a small earthquake, rains and of course deforestation and illegal logging (!!!!). At this time I would like to extend my prayers and thoughts to the displaced families and those who have lost loved ones.
I'm sure some of the bigger humanitarian organisations have come to the aid (at least briefly) of the Philippines. If you are interested in finding out or donating, you could flip through some of their websites. A quick search led me to this.
February 04, 2006
still around...
It's been over a month since I last blogged, which is a shame on me. So, happy new year everyone and happy valentine's as well...Thanks for consistently checking in.
I had a great three weeks in Vancouver over the Christmas and New Year holidays. I returned to Bradford sometime mid-January and have not left the library since. Okay, so that's a little bit dramatic but I've been buried in books and papers. My lack of motivation to work in Vancouver (although the break was fantastic) meant I had about four weeks of work to do in a week, which is why I have neglected everything else but sitting in the cold University of Bradford library for the past three weeks. I have a week and a half left to do the rest of my work. And it's looking a little tight but I'll be happy when the crunch time is over and the new crunch time begins (it already has actually, I'm just behind as usual).
Anyway, enough of my uneventful life in the library (although if you sit in the library long enough, you realise what an absolutely strange place it is, with strange people and a strange 'in the library culture').
The new year is an interesting thing. It's a month into 2006 and in the few minutes I have to think of something other than ethnic conflict, landmines and guerillas, I realise that this is quite a significant year for me. Every year is significant but this year is when I am finally going to embark on a potentially life long career of [insert career] in [insert place]. Of course the blanks reflect the ambiguity of the year, and I am quite aware that life constantly changes so 'life long' is may not be reflective of what comes up in September. Still, the openness is both exciting and daunting. A small voice asks me every now and then if I could find something in September and the pressure of finishing my programme, being in student debt and the expanse of the field can be intimidating. But the excitement of finishing a programme I was anticipating to do for a few years, the options available and the places and people I see and meet are overwhelming. I am curious how things will turn out. Of course it's only February. You might note a hint of panic towards July-August, so stay tuned.
I am also keenly aware of my uncertainty about going back to Vancouver. It was a sad moment stepping on the plane in Vancouver going to London and realising that I was unsure when my next trip home would be. It is home and I love being there, but it's not my current home. Again, I might be saying something different in a few months. Lots of decisions to make in the next few months.
It's back to the books for now. I will update. I was quite reluctant to update because I'm tunnel-visioned right now. I can't see past the next article I have to read and that's no fun to blog about, or read about. But perhaps the boredom and tediousness of school work might force me to tap into Angela's alter-reality and I might blog about that for interest's sake.
I had a great three weeks in Vancouver over the Christmas and New Year holidays. I returned to Bradford sometime mid-January and have not left the library since. Okay, so that's a little bit dramatic but I've been buried in books and papers. My lack of motivation to work in Vancouver (although the break was fantastic) meant I had about four weeks of work to do in a week, which is why I have neglected everything else but sitting in the cold University of Bradford library for the past three weeks. I have a week and a half left to do the rest of my work. And it's looking a little tight but I'll be happy when the crunch time is over and the new crunch time begins (it already has actually, I'm just behind as usual).
Anyway, enough of my uneventful life in the library (although if you sit in the library long enough, you realise what an absolutely strange place it is, with strange people and a strange 'in the library culture').
The new year is an interesting thing. It's a month into 2006 and in the few minutes I have to think of something other than ethnic conflict, landmines and guerillas, I realise that this is quite a significant year for me. Every year is significant but this year is when I am finally going to embark on a potentially life long career of [insert career] in [insert place]. Of course the blanks reflect the ambiguity of the year, and I am quite aware that life constantly changes so 'life long' is may not be reflective of what comes up in September. Still, the openness is both exciting and daunting. A small voice asks me every now and then if I could find something in September and the pressure of finishing my programme, being in student debt and the expanse of the field can be intimidating. But the excitement of finishing a programme I was anticipating to do for a few years, the options available and the places and people I see and meet are overwhelming. I am curious how things will turn out. Of course it's only February. You might note a hint of panic towards July-August, so stay tuned.
I am also keenly aware of my uncertainty about going back to Vancouver. It was a sad moment stepping on the plane in Vancouver going to London and realising that I was unsure when my next trip home would be. It is home and I love being there, but it's not my current home. Again, I might be saying something different in a few months. Lots of decisions to make in the next few months.
It's back to the books for now. I will update. I was quite reluctant to update because I'm tunnel-visioned right now. I can't see past the next article I have to read and that's no fun to blog about, or read about. But perhaps the boredom and tediousness of school work might force me to tap into Angela's alter-reality and I might blog about that for interest's sake.
December 23, 2005
christian peacemakers hostages
It's nearly a month since the four men of the Christian Peacemaker Team were taken hostage by the Swords of Truth group in Iraq and nearly two weeks since the deadline passed. Still no word on what has happened.
Their kidnapping has caused a commotion on the news and on the blogosphere, many posing opinions, arguments and questions surrounding pacifism, the appropriate involvement of the West on issues in the Middle East, Christian vs Muslim, right wing vs left wing, and of course the appropriateness of risking one's life for such a situation.
Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) has been operating since 1984 and was formed with a vision to reduce violence by nonviolent means, particularly by 'getting in the way'. It is a spiritually based group applying non violent direct action strategies in the attempt to protect human rights and manage violent conflict. They have sent delegation upon delegation in some of the most volatile regions over the past several years and have brought change to some of these situations.
CPT has been in Iraq since October 2002, half a year before the US led invasion. Their work there primarily surrounded human rights and supporting UN weapons inspection. As the war and circumstances in Iraq changed, their work shifted, although at all times opposing the war and working on human rights abuses. The kidnappings and death of foreign aid workers in the last year caused the team to downsize and reduce their visibility.
I have great admiration for the many people who risk their lives in support for an alternative to war. It takes such faith and idealism that I'm not sure I have, although I do believe very strongly that war is hardly an option.
Macleans, a Canadian weekly magazine, published an article in its most recent issue questioning the validity of the CPT strategy in Iraq. Should nonviolent resistance, particularly from a Western group be an option in such a place as Iraq? They suggest that if part of the mission is to possibly die for the mission, then perhaps this is the place for it, because although they walk in with good intentions, insurgents and criminals may see them as either another obstacle that must be rid off or walking $$.
I can't believe the number of times I've heard or read something to the effect that 'it's their fault that this is happening to them, they walked right into it.' Granted the situation is volatile, I hardly think that the purpose of the group and of nonviolent action is to get kidnapped, killed or hurt in the process of creating an alternative to nonviolence. There is a chance it will happen, but it certainly is not the purpose. The work of those CPT delegates was to deal with issues of human rights abuses, and to raise an alternative awareness of the situation in Iraq. These aren't suicide missions for the delegates and to suggest that the purpose of going is to die for this cause or that there is no room for sympathy because it is pure foolishness is ignorant and narrow.
I try to remain hopeful but my heart sinks. Hope and pray for the release of Jim Loney, Tom Fox, Harmeet Sooden, and Norman Kember. May Christmas bring comforting news to the families of the kidnapped and to peacemakers everywhere.
Their kidnapping has caused a commotion on the news and on the blogosphere, many posing opinions, arguments and questions surrounding pacifism, the appropriate involvement of the West on issues in the Middle East, Christian vs Muslim, right wing vs left wing, and of course the appropriateness of risking one's life for such a situation.
Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) has been operating since 1984 and was formed with a vision to reduce violence by nonviolent means, particularly by 'getting in the way'. It is a spiritually based group applying non violent direct action strategies in the attempt to protect human rights and manage violent conflict. They have sent delegation upon delegation in some of the most volatile regions over the past several years and have brought change to some of these situations.
CPT has been in Iraq since October 2002, half a year before the US led invasion. Their work there primarily surrounded human rights and supporting UN weapons inspection. As the war and circumstances in Iraq changed, their work shifted, although at all times opposing the war and working on human rights abuses. The kidnappings and death of foreign aid workers in the last year caused the team to downsize and reduce their visibility.
I have great admiration for the many people who risk their lives in support for an alternative to war. It takes such faith and idealism that I'm not sure I have, although I do believe very strongly that war is hardly an option.
Macleans, a Canadian weekly magazine, published an article in its most recent issue questioning the validity of the CPT strategy in Iraq. Should nonviolent resistance, particularly from a Western group be an option in such a place as Iraq? They suggest that if part of the mission is to possibly die for the mission, then perhaps this is the place for it, because although they walk in with good intentions, insurgents and criminals may see them as either another obstacle that must be rid off or walking $$.
I can't believe the number of times I've heard or read something to the effect that 'it's their fault that this is happening to them, they walked right into it.' Granted the situation is volatile, I hardly think that the purpose of the group and of nonviolent action is to get kidnapped, killed or hurt in the process of creating an alternative to nonviolence. There is a chance it will happen, but it certainly is not the purpose. The work of those CPT delegates was to deal with issues of human rights abuses, and to raise an alternative awareness of the situation in Iraq. These aren't suicide missions for the delegates and to suggest that the purpose of going is to die for this cause or that there is no room for sympathy because it is pure foolishness is ignorant and narrow.
I try to remain hopeful but my heart sinks. Hope and pray for the release of Jim Loney, Tom Fox, Harmeet Sooden, and Norman Kember. May Christmas bring comforting news to the families of the kidnapped and to peacemakers everywhere.
December 01, 2005
UN Habitat Jam
Got this on email. Looks interesting. Being involved does not have to mean placards...
- Habitat JAM -- Dec. 1-3
- More than 100,000 people around the globe are expected to participate in this 72-hour online global discussion about urban sustainability -- that will lay the groundwork for the World Urban Forum in Vancouver next June.
- The Habitat JAM discussion will have six topics:
- - Improving the lives of slum dwellers.
- - Sustainable access to water.
- - Environmental sustainability.
- - Safety and security.
- - Finance and governance.
- - Humanity: The Future of our Cities.
- During the three day on-line discussion, you can communicate with over 70 distinguished guests, such as:
- * an awarding winning visionary and green architect, whose theories are being built on the ground in 'New Cities' in China
- * the remarkable woman who heads London's envi! ronmental initiatives as Deputy Mayor of London
- * the Indian head of the world's biggest slum dwellers' activist group
- * the scientist in charge of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- * the head of the world's biggest and most influential environmental organization
- * authors of groundbreaking books
- * the President of Canada's aid agency
- * the President of the African Development Bank
- William McDonough, Nicky Gavron, Jockin Arputham, Dr. Rajendra Patchauri, Achim Steiner, Janine Benyus, Robert Greenhill and Dr. Donald Kaberuka are just a few of the notable participants joining the tens of thousands of citizens and experts in the JAM.
- Share your ideas on the future of cities. Everyone is welcome to sign up for free at www.habitatjam.com
November 24, 2005
doctors, staples and pain killers
A week ago today (Thursday) I was discharged from the local hospital here in Bradford, the Bradford Royal Infirmary. I left with three stapled holes in my tummy and a pack of paracetamol. It started with tummy pains I was feeling all Monday, finally localising to my right side. The pain was pretty close to unbearable by late evening so I asked two of my flatmates, Danielle and Ahmed, to get a taxi with me to the hospital.
After an hour and a half of waiting patiently in pain, I twice went to the nurse's desk, nearly lying on her desk, initially pleasant later more aggressive, asking (demanding?) what time I'm to see the doctor. Finally, after a dramatic but completely true to life episode in front of the nurse's desk, they took me to the back to a bed where I could be checked and pumped with some morphine.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I ended up being completely doped up with painkillers in the hospital until Thursday. I was told at first it might be appendicitis, then I was told it was not, then I was told it probably was and that they needed to do some keyhole surgery (laparoscopy or something like that). As it turns out it was not appendicitis but a ruptured cyst that caused some problems. On Wednesday night, they performed the surgery and a week later I'm healing well.
My flatmate Danielle spent everyday with me at the hospital, although I was hardly conscious of her or anything going on around me. I also had a few other friends who kept me company and took care of me even after I was discharged. My mom flew in from Vancouver on Saturday and stayed until Wednesday to nurse me back to health. And now, I'm pretty much functioning at regular capacity, although the staples on the three holes of my tummy won't be coming out until Monday.
I'm glad I didn't have to stay much longer in that hospital although the nurses and others were kind to me. It's not a happy place at the best of times.
After an hour and a half of waiting patiently in pain, I twice went to the nurse's desk, nearly lying on her desk, initially pleasant later more aggressive, asking (demanding?) what time I'm to see the doctor. Finally, after a dramatic but completely true to life episode in front of the nurse's desk, they took me to the back to a bed where I could be checked and pumped with some morphine.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I ended up being completely doped up with painkillers in the hospital until Thursday. I was told at first it might be appendicitis, then I was told it was not, then I was told it probably was and that they needed to do some keyhole surgery (laparoscopy or something like that). As it turns out it was not appendicitis but a ruptured cyst that caused some problems. On Wednesday night, they performed the surgery and a week later I'm healing well.
My flatmate Danielle spent everyday with me at the hospital, although I was hardly conscious of her or anything going on around me. I also had a few other friends who kept me company and took care of me even after I was discharged. My mom flew in from Vancouver on Saturday and stayed until Wednesday to nurse me back to health. And now, I'm pretty much functioning at regular capacity, although the staples on the three holes of my tummy won't be coming out until Monday.
I'm glad I didn't have to stay much longer in that hospital although the nurses and others were kind to me. It's not a happy place at the best of times.
November 18, 2005
Bradford and the NHS
I was discharged from the Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday afternoon after a few days of pain, morphine and finally laparoscopy (?). But more on that later.
Bradford, the city I now live in, is in the front news of the BBC. One cop was shot and killed, another seriously injured. Check out the news. Bradford gets some bad press and a lot of bad jibes. And unfortunately this episode is another one of those bad press reports that will stick in the minds people's minds in relation to Bradford. Condolences to the families of the victims.
I also do want to note that there are also some positives in Bradford this week. It is the Bradford Peace Festival, where today and tomorrow (among other things these past two weeks) there will be a stall, with activities in the Rawson Old Market between 11am-4pm. If I feel able to wander around the city, I will head over there and see what's going on.
Bradford, the city I now live in, is in the front news of the BBC. One cop was shot and killed, another seriously injured. Check out the news. Bradford gets some bad press and a lot of bad jibes. And unfortunately this episode is another one of those bad press reports that will stick in the minds people's minds in relation to Bradford. Condolences to the families of the victims.
I also do want to note that there are also some positives in Bradford this week. It is the Bradford Peace Festival, where today and tomorrow (among other things these past two weeks) there will be a stall, with activities in the Rawson Old Market between 11am-4pm. If I feel able to wander around the city, I will head over there and see what's going on.
November 07, 2005
time to read??
It's reading break and in order for me to make the most academic use of the reading break (as probably what it was intended for), I created a schedule for myself. Day one of reading break and I'm already a few chapters behind...
Nonetheless it's been a productive day. I ran a few errands, some of which I procrastinated to do until today. Also, I went to the first planning meeting with a few colleagues to begin discussing our trip to Kosovo. The department is offering two study trips this year - one to Sri Lanka and one to Northern Ireland. The trip to Sri Lanka is open for about 10 people and all those interested had their names in a hat and unfortunately, I was not picked. I am thrilled though that those of us who were disappointed about being the Sri Lankan rejects decided to plan a trip to Kosovo at the initiation of one of my colleagues. I am in fact, more interested in going to Kosovo than to Sri Lanka. We are at the very preliminary stages of planning but I have high hopes that this trip will be an educational, cultural and FUN experience.
Now back to reading break. I will accomplish the goals I set out for this week. I hope I am able to focus because it's my opportunity to do some of the reading on my reading list and to finally be able to go to lectures prepared.
Nonetheless it's been a productive day. I ran a few errands, some of which I procrastinated to do until today. Also, I went to the first planning meeting with a few colleagues to begin discussing our trip to Kosovo. The department is offering two study trips this year - one to Sri Lanka and one to Northern Ireland. The trip to Sri Lanka is open for about 10 people and all those interested had their names in a hat and unfortunately, I was not picked. I am thrilled though that those of us who were disappointed about being the Sri Lankan rejects decided to plan a trip to Kosovo at the initiation of one of my colleagues. I am in fact, more interested in going to Kosovo than to Sri Lanka. We are at the very preliminary stages of planning but I have high hopes that this trip will be an educational, cultural and FUN experience.
Now back to reading break. I will accomplish the goals I set out for this week. I hope I am able to focus because it's my opportunity to do some of the reading on my reading list and to finally be able to go to lectures prepared.
October 31, 2005
canada's environmental performance
Since the report about Canada's Environmental Record was published on the 18th October 2005 (which I briefly blogged about then), I've been disturbed that Canada is one of the worse polluters amongst the industrialised nations. The report shows that the government needs to implement much more environmentally-positive policies. But I also believe that if you're disappointed in Canada's ranking as well, you need not be an activist to make a difference. The report indicated that nine out of ten Canadians rate the environment as one of their top concerns in 2000. So if you're one of the nine, or even one in ten, read on for some tips.
Given that I have limited time, I will keep posting different tips. But to start with, let's talk about water use. Also, you could certainly download the Green Guide by the David Suzuki Foundation. But keep checking in, I'll be posting about waste reduction, energy saving and all the fun stuff that keeps the earth breathing.
WATER
Water is a very basic necessity in life. It quenches thirst, produces energy and food, and cleanses our bodies. Yet water is a source of such injustice - from environmental to social (more on this on a later date - some say the next war will be over water). But our concern for now is how to reduce the use of our water.
Some tips:
Given that I have limited time, I will keep posting different tips. But to start with, let's talk about water use. Also, you could certainly download the Green Guide by the David Suzuki Foundation. But keep checking in, I'll be posting about waste reduction, energy saving and all the fun stuff that keeps the earth breathing.
WATER
Water is a very basic necessity in life. It quenches thirst, produces energy and food, and cleanses our bodies. Yet water is a source of such injustice - from environmental to social (more on this on a later date - some say the next war will be over water). But our concern for now is how to reduce the use of our water.
Some tips:
- try to install water saving shower heads, spray heads etc
- when brushing your teeth, turn off the tap. Either use a small glass or spurts of water when needed. Don't keep it running and you could save up to 4.5 liters of water.
- fix dripping taps. In a week, a dripping tap could fill more than half the bathtub.
- if you use the washing machine or the dishwasher, make sure they are full loads
- reduce the use of clean water for lawns by collecting rainwater with buckets if possible
- put a brick or stones, or a more sophisticated device made for cisterns, in the water cistern of the toilet to save water with every flush (such as the Water Hippo)
- shower, don't take as many baths!
- when washing vegetables, wash them in a bowl rather than under a running tap. You could also use the bowl of water to water your plants
October 28, 2005
interesting enough?
I had such high hopes of writing some stimulating posts about things I'm learning here but as it turns out, my high hopes fall flat on my own desktop. Alas, I am stuck trying to save what seems to be my limited amount of intelligence and creativity to writing this essay I am spending a lot of time on with very little progress. If you do think of me, think of pacifism, and drop me a clever line you think I might be able to use for my essay. Of course, a true academic will not be begging like this...so you could trust that I'm kidding...
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