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Posted at 07:29 AM in Climate Change, Current Affairs, Education, Energy, Environment, Film, Globalization, Health, Human Rights, Interviews, Peace, People | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Earth Focus Foundation organized a special event with the support of the Green Film Festival in Geneva on the 24th of February 2011.
Earth Focus Foundation presented THE PLAN written and directed by David Osterberg and Michael Stenberg of Biospheric Pictures AB (2010, 58’, Sweden) followed immediately by live discussion with Bruce Mau and Bisi Williams, and director David Osterberg.
Video summary of the event:
After the screening of THE PLAN, Bruce Mau lead a discussion exploring these questions:
Interviews:
What is the Massive Change Network?
The Massive Change Network is purpose filled, entrepreneurial, experienced based design possibility network. The key strategic idea of the Massive Change Network to provide via various means and methods the inherent and native capacity of citizens, students, governments, business and community leaders to develop and enhance their critical design thinking skills. The vast majority of global citizens lack access to this critical working tool.
Our purpose is sharing knowledge with the 99% of global citizens who do not have access to college, university, or post secondary education. Our intention is to deliver the most knowledge, wisdom and culture to those with the least. The Massive Change Network is mandated to focus on inclusivity rather than exclusivity.
To greet the greatest opportunities and meet the most pressing challenges being presented to our world, citizens must be equipped to accelerate the uptake of new solutions. The emerging global conditions will require a new kind of scholar, worker, entrepreneur, leader, and educator. This emerging ecology of ever increasing technological, social, financial, environmental, governmental, and educational challenges, will require citizens committed to working collaboratively across professional silos, the ability to not only think critically, but creatively, and to move beyond theoretical musings to practical implementation. The 21st century will be the century where every citizen must become a life-long learner of some capacity. A network changes everything.
For more information visit:
Posted at 02:44 PM in Climate Change, Education, Energy, Environment, Film, Globalization, Health, Interviews, Peace, People, Poverty | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 12:53 PM in Climate Change, Education, Energy, Environment, Globalization, Health, Human Rights, Interviews, Peace, Poverty | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This video highlights the main points discussed at the last Global Youth Conference 2010 organized by the Earth Focus Foundation in Geneva:
Posted at 08:56 AM in Action, Climate Change, Education, Energy, Environment, Globalization, Human Rights, Peace, People, Poverty | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Following the one day conference (see the full video content with all the debates here), a couple of interviews of experts in the domain were recorded on December 10, 2010.
Video Interview of Mrs Nicola Furey, vice-president and secretary general of the EarthFocus Foundation:
Interview of four young students from the Kenyan Aga Khan Academy:
Links to other interviews:
Posted at 08:43 AM in Current Affairs, Education, Human Rights, Interviews | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a deeply inspiring document that has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects. But because its provisions are not enforceable, its promise has not been fulfilled. Human rights violations continue in every corner of the globe, the cause of countless individual tragedies as well as large-scale disasters like war, poverty and environmental ruin.
EarthFocus organized this conference in Geneva on the 10th of December 2010. You can watch the video of the full conference by clicking on the image below:
Posted at 06:28 AM in Education, Human Rights | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The conference welcomes young people from all over the world to contribute to the subject of Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
Video webcast of the conference
The conference consisted of plenary sessions with experts regarding the effects of climate change, such as:The plenary sessions were complemented by workshops on various topics, such as:
The workshops covered different topics such as:
Message from Jean-Paul Moka:
Here is a 10 minutes movie clip summarizing some of the events of the conference:
^ For a limited time only, you can purchase an ecologic ICE-WATCH that will allow WeForest to plant 100 trees! More information on their website.
Posted at 11:46 PM in Climate Change, Education, Energy, Environment, Globalization, Health, Human Rights, People, Poverty | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: cancun, conference, copenhagen, earthfocus, geneva, global, greencross, greepeace, wbcsd, young
THE COVE is captivating hearts and audiences from Sundance to Silverdocs and also just won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary of 2009. The movie follows an elite team of activists led by renowned former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry as they use ultramodern equipment to infiltrate a secret cove near Taijii, Japan where they expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
Throughout human history, dolphins have been seen in a very positive and romantic light. They are considered a sort of human soul mate, as companions and protectors who unselfishly step in the way of impending danger, as bearers of goodwill. Many tales of seafarers being rescued by dolphins join historical accounts in literature, myths and legends such as the depiction of dolphins as Poseidon’s messengers or as sacred symbols to both Aphrodite and Apollo.
Today, in the 21st century, mankind seems to mistakenly express the deserved respect and admiration which dolphins would deserve.
copyright (Elsa Nature Conservancy or EIA)
These days, humans keep these exceptional mammals captive and trained for trivial show, naval exercises, petting zoos and other self-serving practices. Dolphins not in captivity suffer being hunted for their meat or for the sake of rituals. Above all, they suffer tremendously under the pressure of global development, the unsustainable use of our natural resources and resulting levels of pollution. The high levels of mercury poison their systems causing infection, disease and birth defects. As a consequence, many die too young to mate and so, the dwindling count of dolphin population continues to spiral downward. Wouldn’t you say the time has come for humans to give back?
One person who is giving back is Ric O'Barry. O' Barry was once a dolphin trainer and worked with the five dolphins that stared as "flipper" in the hit television series of the same name. The more he discovered about the intelligent species, the less comfortable he felt about training them and keeping them penned. As Kathy, one of the dolphins starring as "flipper" had been showing signs of depression for weeks, she swam into O'Barrys arms one day, opened her blowhole to take a breath and never took another. O'Barry felt as if the dolphin had committed suicide. Unlike other land-dwelling mammals, dolphins have the ability to actually choose whether to breathe or not. This incident affected him so deeply that it turned his life around; he took it as a sign that things must change. Since then O'Barry has been living the life of a passionate activist whose aim it is to put an end to the dolphin captivity industry, an industry he had once been a part of establishing.
copyright (Elsa Nature Conservancy or EIA)
While pursuing his mission to raise awareness about the freedom and well-being of dolphins he came upon what was known as the secret cove in Taijii, Japan, a cover where over 20'000 dolphins are being slaughtered each year. The reality of this nightmare was shocking. The depth of what it entailed was scandalous. For O’Barry it was clear that he must expose this cruel reality and unveil the truth to misled citizens and consumers.
copyright (Elsa Nature Conservancy or EIA)
With the help of the Oceanic Preservation Society OPS and by incorporating a team of elite activists, filmmakers and divers, O’Barry began an immensely important secret mission; to penetrate the remote and hidden cove and document the events on film. Using absolute state of the art techniques, including underwater microphones and high-definition cameras disguised as rocks, they began to shine a light on the dark and deadly secrets hidden in a seaside village of Japan. The film is a blend of investigative journalism and stunning imagery. It provokes discussion and debate, rage and pity. Most important of all, it is an unforgettable documentary which has moved audiences worldwide to action.
This captivating documentary not only exposes the yearly slaughter of dolphins and porpoises off the coast of Japan but also exposes how the dolphin meat, which contains toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as whale meat in Japan and other parts of Asia, unbeknownst to the consumer; a fat profit for people in power and businesses.
Did you know that 95% of all absorbed mercury is a result of pollution created by coal-fired power plants? More reason to consider how alternative sources of energy, living green and protecting the environment, goes hand-in-hand with the well-being of all living things on our planet.
By creating, preserving and defending laws against dolphin poaching and hunting and by promoting ecologically sustainable human development across the planet, dolphins could be saved from being more than just figures in myth or legend. See “The Cove”, get inspired, take action!
- Tina Masafret
Please download „Cruel Heart“ from iTunes. The song is a heartfelt gift written by Rick Laine and published by Ocean Care (www.oceancare.org). Proceeds go towards the campaign to save dolphins from slaughter in Taiji, Japan! |
The multiple award winning documentary „THE COVE“ is now available on DVD. Please visitwww.thecovemovie.com for further information. |
The „Save Japan Dolphins Coalition“ is an international marine mammal project program dedicated to ending the cruel slaughter of dolphins in Taiji. The Swiss organisation „Ocean Care“ as well as many other animal rights groups have joined Ric O’Barry in this fight against the cruel mistreatment of dolphins. We ask you to please join the campaign and to remember that everbody can help! |
Posted at 02:45 PM in Animals, Education, Environment, Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Le projet pédagogique " Les Murs " a pour origine, contexte et inspiration l’exposition photographique intitulée « Murs », organisée sur le Pont de la Machine, de Novembre 2009 à Janvier 2010, à l’occasion des 20 ans de la Chute du Mur de Berlin. Une exposition organisée par l’association Imaginaid et patronnée par la Ville de Genève.
A partir et autour de cette exposition, tout un projet pédagogique a été élaboré par divers partenaires : Imaginaid, le DIP, L'Ecole Internationale de Genève, la Fondation Earth Focus.
Inspiré par l’exposition “ Murs”, le projet vise à inciter les élèves du cycle d'orientation et du post-obligatoire des écoles publiques et privées du Canton de Genève, à mener une réflexion profonde sur la thématique des murs de séparation territoriale et sur leurs enjeux divers et variés.
5 axes de travail et d'activités sont proposés aux enseignants intéressés :
- des visites guidées de l'exposition,
- un concours de légendes,
- des débats et tables rondes,
- des présentations/créations artistiques libres,
- un concours lancé par Mandat International (voir : ww.genevedecouverte.ch/fr/concours.html)
Chaque axe de travail est indépendant des autres. Ainsi le projet "les Murs" permet une participation large et adaptée au souhait de chacun.
Vous trouverez ci-joint les documents vous permettant d'en savoir plus, à savoir une fiche technique présentant le projet dans sa globalité, un dossier pédagogique vous permettant de préparer quelque peu vos élèves à la thématique, des documents avec les détails pour chaque activité.
Présentation globale du projet: Download Fiche_technique_Murs finale
Dossier pédagogique (aide pour préparer vos élèves) : Dossier pédagogique
Visites guidées exposition "Murs" : Download Murs_fiche_inscription_visites_FR2
Concours de légendes : Download Murs_reglement_concours_de_legendes_FR2
Colloques, débats : Download Murs_fiche_inscriptions_colloques_FR
__________________________________________________________________________________
The Walls Project has its origin, context and inspiration in the « Murs » photographic exhibition. Organised by the Imaginaid association, with the patronage of the City of Geneva, the exhibition will take place on the Pont de la Machine, Geneva from 9th November 2009 to 31st January 2010 and will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
From and around this exhibition, a whole educational project has been set up by different partners : Imaginaid, DIP, International School of Geneva, Earth Focus Foundation.
Inspired by the photographic exhibition « Murs », this project seeks to inspires students aged 12 to 15 years (cycle d’orientation) and 16 to 19 years (post-obligatoire) attending Geneva public and private schools to reflect on the theme of frontiers and dividing walls and their implications.
Five work streams are proposed as possible reference points for teachers and students :
- Guided visits to the photographic exhibition
- A caption competition
- Symposiums and round tables
- Independent artistic works
- the Mandat International’s competition (see : www.genevedecouverte.ch/fr/concours.html)
Each stream is independent and flexible, allowing for wide participation.
Please find below the documents to know more about these activities : an information sheet explaining the global project, a teacher's notes to prepare your students to the topic, some documents giving details about each activity.
Global information sheet : Download Information_Sheet_Walls
Teacher's notes (help to prepare your students) : teacher's note
Guided visits : Download Murs_fiche_inscription_visites_ENG2
Caption competition : Download Murs_reglement_concours_de_legendes_ENG2
Symposiums and round tables : Download Murs_fiche_inscriptions_colloques_ENG
Posted at 02:36 AM in Current Affairs, Education, Human Rights, Peace, People | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Iam 15 years old, a year older (and two heads shorter) than 14-year-old R yan Hreljac.
At the age of six, he saved up over $2000 to fund a well for an African community with no clean water source.
Over the next 5 years, he created Ryan’s Well Foundation and so far has funded over 210 wells in 10 countries, 8 in Africa and 2 in South America.
Ryan has already accomplished so much, in his fourteen years of life. He is an inspiration to all of us, if not, a little bit intimidating.
Posted at 03:02 PM in Education, Globalization | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)




