Government Learns from the People

Sites like Freecycle have been around for awhile now, and that of course is good. What’s better is that now a governmental body in Ontario, Canada has started their own version: York Region’s Reuseful!

From the site:

“This area provides:
opportunities for residents to give away gently used items;
a spot for people and organizations seeking free items to make their requests;
community recycling and hazardous waste information throughout York Region communities.”

The site is still in development.

MTV Helps Youth Think

A study done by none other than MTV has found out a few reasons why youth are disengaged from activism. The results of “Just Cause,” a research study that deconstructs how youth perceive “activism” and explores the motivating factors and barriers in their decision to become involved in social causes.

The study includes more than 1200 young people, including expert interviews, ethnographies and a national poll of a representative sample with participants ages 12 to 24. Findings deconstruct youth activism and find an “activation gap”, showing a strong disparity between interest in and involvement in social causes. Anecdotal responses from respondents also offer clues into successful strategies into closing the “activation gap”

It is one thing to complain that youth are disengaged, it’s another to know why they are disengaged, and now we have a better idea to engage youth.

Naomi Watts Encourages AIDS Awareness

Actress Naomi Watts has recently joined the UN in their UNAIDS campaign to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Over 40 million people suffer from the AIDS virus Worldwide and only 1 in 5 people with the disease recieve any form of treatment.

“Given these stark realities, I could no longer stand on the sidelines,” Naomi said in a UN press conference. When asked about the Bush administrations focus on abstinence rather than contraceptives she added “While it (abstinence) is probably the safest way to avoid it, it is impossible for certain people to practice it……So I am a big believer in the use of contraception.”

Though Naomi is a very busy career actress she has vowed to take as much of her free time as is possible to help the cause. As ‘ UNAIDS Special Representative’ she’ll be emphasising the ‘4 for everyone camapaign’ which highlights prevention, treatment, care and support for all individuals affected by the disease.

Fair Trade Purchases Increasing

Europe is seeing a quickly growing market in fair trade goods, which is obviously a good thing. Last year saw a very impressive increase in fair trade purchases.

“In Austria alone, between 2004 and 2005 there was an increase of 63 percent in the sales of “Fair Trade” items, so labelled because they are supposed to come from a production chain that respects the environment, workers’ salaries and labour rights, as part of a process that promotes social development.”