BCAN (Bristol Christian Action Network) Helping Christians Respond To Social Needs Global Issues Forum Meeting 4 February 2008

1. Fairtrade Fortnight 2008: 25 February - 9 March 2008

• Jenny Foster, coordinator of Bristol Fairtrade Network (BFTN) came and spoke
• If anyone wants to be a part of BFTN or be on BFTN mailing list contact Jenny please email jenny@bristolfairtradenetwork.org.uk or telephone 0117 922 4916
• Lots of events going on in Bristol during FT14 (see pdf - 547Mb), including:
  1. Fairtrade Art Exhibition, with art by local schools, 25 February 2008, 11am, Create Centre - Launch event
  2. Fanfare for Fairtrade Concert, 27 February 2008, 7pm, Colston Hall, schools and adults singers
  3. Debate: 'Fairtrade or Food Miles?', 4 March 2008, 5.30pm, St Stephens Church
  4. Fairtrade Bus: Family activities, 9 March 2008, 12-4pm, Anchor Square, part of national tour: speakers, food, games, entertainment
• For more information on all events contact Jenny Foster, or visit BFTN website: www.bristolfairtradenetwork.org.uk
• Tesco and Sainsbury supermarkets are very keen to have people doing stands in their stores during FT14, contact stores direct. Jenny can help with resources, posters, leaflets etc
• Also available: schools resource - lessons and assembly ideas; again, contact Jenny

2. Ethical Expo: 9-10 May 2008

• Castle green park in Bristol
• First of its kind in the UK
• Big ethical show for consumers: food, clothing, transport, ethical living, campaigning.....
• Workshops and family activities as well as shopping opportunities
• More information coming
• www.ethicalexpo.com

3. Campaigning outline 2008

• February: I Count coalition campaign: Lovehearts for MPs - do you love your planet? www.icount.org.uk reminding MPs about need for effective Climate Change Bill
• March: publicity about Climate Change Bill that is going through Parliament in April
• April: week of action around Climate Change Bill
• April: final push for campaigning around EPAs www.christian-aid.org.uk/trade
• May: I Count new campaign: no to coal, yes to clean energy
• May: Christian Aid Week 11-17 May 2008
• May: Jubilee Debt Campaign 18 May 2008 - 10 years on from Birmingham rally, at the Birmingham International Convention Centre: speakers, workshops, activities. Ideal to go up on train and take a group from church www.journeytojustice.org
• June / July: Probable Christian Aid roadshow
• October: launch of new climate Change campaign

4. Open Arms outreach trips

• Open Arms International: bringing together medical care and Christian ministry to reach out to the poor and suffering in partnership with churches in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique www.openarmsinternational.org.uk
• OAI also owns some land in Eldoret that it is developing as a 'village' to support orphans and street kids, as well as be a base to reach out to the wider community
• This year, building begins on the Open Arms Village, where there will be homes for orphaned children to be raised in a family environment, a medical clinic to meet the needs of the community year-round, and housing for staff, team members, and volunteers.
• Short-term (2 week) mission trips are available, to the OAI property in Eldoret, Kenya, to help with building work, as well as doing medical clinics, children’s ministry, prison ministry, and community outreach events.
• For more details, see the Open Arms Poster (Word format - 848Mb)
• Contact Helen Harrison for more info helen@openarms.org.uk

5. Hope for Planet Earth: Monday 3 March 2008

• What is it? Hope for Planet Earth is a major multimedia tour exploring the science behind climate change from a Christian perspective and its impact on people and the planet. The tour will take in 20 cities across England with daytime events for secondary schools and evening events for Christians to bring their friends.
• Who is it organised by? A Rocha UK will be taking part, along with Christians in Science, Tearfund, and Share Jesus International
• When and where? In Bristol on Monday 3 March at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School, Somerset Square, Bristol, BS1 6RT: doors open at 7pm and the evening starts at 7.30pm
• Price and booking: Tickets are £6 for adults, £3 for under 18s Available from 'puratickets' at www.purashop.com/puratickets or telephone 0845 094 4414
• More information: www.hopeforplanetearth.co.uk General enquiries to: 020 8781 1741

6. Other News

6a. Local foods co-ordinator

• Val Harding, local foods co-ordinator for South Glos council
• Contact Val for info on how to get involved with events and issues surrounding promoting local foods, food miles, etc. Email valharding@blueyonder.co.uk

6b. Black Gold potential screening

• Maria Stuart is hoping to do a screening of the movie Black Gold, a film about trade and coffee.
• "As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price."
• Contact Maria if you wish to be involved in this project mariastuart@blueyonder.co.uk

6c. Inconvenient Truth screening

• 2 showings of the film by Al Gore:
  1. At Hallen Village Hall on 10 March 2008
  2. At Brentry Church on 11 March 2008
• More information from David Bolton: dbolton@talktalk.net

6d. Blackle

• A new web search engine that is good for the environment: it is based on a black page with white writing, so uses much less energy
• blackle.com