Into The Wild

Just a quick posting about a film I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in stories of true adventure. INTO THE WILD is a brilliant film about a young college graduate who is unhappy with the artificiality of modern western society and decides to take off a journey that eventually leads him to an old abandoned bus in the Alaskan Wilderness. Watching this film will inspire even the most concrete individuals to throw aside their creature comforts and head out on the open road... even if only for a minute. Go and see this film!

The gift of Giving

Just thought I would mention that when choosing presents for your friends and family this Christmas you may want to avoid the busy shopping centres and buy online from an organisation who will put the money from your purchase to a good cause. Oxfam have an online shop selling lots of great stuff you can buy for yourselves and others, or they even have the option of buying gifts for impoverished communities (such as a town well) if you want to buy a really amazing present. the anti-people trafficking website notforsale also have an online store selling some really cool stuff, or you could simply get onto google and browse for free trade websites or eco-friendly products. As consumers every time we buy something we are supporting the industry we purchase from. Why not put your money to a good cause next time you are buying a gift, not only will you be doing something positive for the world but you will also find some really unique gifts that shopping malls don't have. If we really want to change the world the best way to do it is not by trying to 'develop' others, but by changing our own behavior so that it supports the things we believe in. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a happy new year.

Some More On People Trafficking

After recently watching the film THE JAMMED my interest in human trafficking has been growing. Illegal trafficking of humans is a horrific and huge global industry that exists in every continent and most countries. It is a phenomenon that is absolutely unnacteptable and must be put to an end. Below is a list of organisations that are working to stop human trafficking and some statistics on the problem taken from www.stopthetraffik.org. If you are looking for a just cause to become involved in, there is none more crucial then putting an end to people trafficking.

At least 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking. A global alliance against forced labor, International Labour Organisation, 2005

600,000-800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors. US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2005

Human trafficking is the third largest source of income for organised crime, exceeded only by arms and drugs trafficking. UN office on drugs and crime

It is the fastest growing form of international crime, already generating 7 billion dollars per year in criminal proceeds. There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk. UN office on drugs and crime

For more information see www.stopthetraffik.org, www.notforsalecampaign.org, www.catwinternational.org, www.humantrafficking.org, www.ahavakids.org, www.actnow.com.au/Issues/Human_trafficking.aspx, www.humantraffickingsearch.net/, www.humantrafficking.com, http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/

It's been a big year for Australian music, and this year's all aussie homebake music festival had a line-up that just couldn't be missed. Arriving around three, we started the day with Blue King Brown who, as always, put on an awesome show and had the day off to a good start. Next we caught a bit of The Beautiful Girls, before heading over to chill out for a while and watch Angus and Julia Stone. Then it was back to the big top for a sweaty Midnight Juggernauts session and we followed this up with the days best performance by Goyte. After Gotye we headed to Architecture in Helsinki and I had to call it a day as a day of drinking doubles in the sun had started to take its toll on me and a severe headache had me aiming for bed. All in all, the day was a nice warm up session for January's BIG DAY OUT..

People Trafficking

The illegal trafficking of women for the sex trade industry is a global phenomenon that exists in every country and quite likely in places not to far from where you live. A recent Australian film called THE JAMMED is a shocking and truly essential film about this industry in the city of Melbourne. Based on real life court transcripts THE JAMMED tells the story of three young girls trafficked to Melbourne where they are imprisoned and forced to work in a sleazy brothel. A film that is hugely depressing, it is also a must see for anyone who is unaware of how real and prolific the trafficking industry is, and the unfair way in which trafficked women are treated by national authorities should they manage to escape their captors. If anyone interested in reading more about this topic they should also check out a book by Louise Brown, titled simply SEX SLAVES.

Dreaming Lhasa Fundraiser

Last night CC Supporters of Tibet had their screening of the amazing Tibetan film Dreaming Lhasa as a fundraising event for the Australia Tibet Council. The night was a huge success with over 100 people attending and much funding and awareness being raised. The film itself was excellent and Avoca Beach Picture Theatre provided us with exceptional support. For me personally, the film showed me that with enough work we really can make a difference. All of you out there stay motivated and keep working, my achievement was small, but it was an achievement. We can do this, we can bring Tibet its freedom!

Bomb Harvest

Over 35 years ago, during the Vietnam War, American bombs rained down on Laos in the 'Secret War', leaving it the most bombed country in history. The deadly legacy of this destruction continues today, with the country still scattered with unexploded ordinance. Bomb Harvest is a documentary film about one volunteer Australian and a team of Lao Trainees working to disarm and destroy the endless bombs still embedded in Laos soil. A film that transports the viewer to another place, a place of both hardship and joy, Bomb Harvest is a highly emotional film that is a must see. I checked it out today and was left feeling touched by the lives of the Lao people, and the children who unwantingly uncover dangerous bombs while "digging for crickets to eat".