Black Environment Network

BEN has put multicultural environmental participation on the agenda in the mainstream. We enable environmental organisations and anyone working for change to work effectively with Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities through raising awareness, facilitating contact, speaking at events and providing training.

You can be part of this inclusive movement by always reaching out to include people from diverse cultures in anything that you do. If you need advice or support, contact ukoffice@ben-network.org.uk

More here

Cafod's latest campaigns - here 

includes:

      "Fix the Sood System"   and reference to the effect of the war in Ukraine  

      "Cancel the Debt"

Cafod's Campaign on Climate Change:

      "Let's Reclaim Our Common Home"

-more here, including a video; a briefing and resources to help you take action against climate change

This quotation from Pope Francis seems particularly appropriate for the OWW theme:

Children and their future     

 "Young people are not meant to become discouraged; they are meant to dream great things, to seek vast horizons, to aim higher, to take on the world, to accept challenges and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better." 

Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 15

Cafod's response to the Coronavirus emergency:

• information
• prayers   

 (OWW updated May 2022)

Christian Aid

Opportunities to get involved with Christian Aid campaigns here

(OWW updated April 2023)

Commitment for Life

is the United Reformed Church’s global justice programme.

With their two partners – Christian Aid and Global Justice Now, they enable local congregations to pray, advocate and take action for the most vulnerable people.

Through Christian Aid they support three regions – Bangladesh;  Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory and Zimbabwe.  See the "Moving Stories" about about the lives of individuals and communities in these countries.

Resources include:

Up to date briefing papers on the countries they support - here

Educational resources for teaching about climate change - separate ones for primary and secondary children - here

More on their website here

(OWW updated - April 2023)

GLOBAL DIMENSION

 Global Dimension is is run and managed by Reboot the Future, one of the two organisations (see also WCIA's Global Learning Centre (below)) taking on the representation of OWW with Global Education Week.

The Global Dimension website has terrific resources for teachers. It brings together resources, case studies and background information to help teachers and other educators bring a global dimension to their work.

Global Dimension have tweeted their three top picks for teaching about the Climate Emergency - Access them here:

https://www.campaigncc.org/schoolresources

https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/schools

https://economistfoundation.org/free-resources/

Reboot the Future

“How Will You Reboot the Future?”

- inspiring new conversations on the climate crisis and supporting young people to take action.

"We’re calling on all educators of 14-18 year olds to ignite your students’ sense of optimism, tap into their imagination and creativity, and inspire them with positive and personal ways of engaging in climate action."  more ...

Up to date resources and comment on current issues:

see: In-Focus topics: Refugees - Ukraine and Beyond;  the IPCC Report; Ukraine and Russia.) Find the latest - here.

 They are offering teachers a free Global Learning Wall Planner - order yours here- or take a look at the CALENDAR with monthly themes, special days (incuding OWW) and related resources

You can sign up to a regular newsletter to keep upto date on the latest resources, training opportunities, programmes and ideas.

(updated OWW April 2023)

Fairtrade Foundation

Fairtrade and the environment

Fairtrade is an important tool in tackling climate change as, by raising incomes, it enables farmers to invest in adaptation, recovery from disasters and environmentally sound sustainable farming.

"8 ways Fairtrade farmers protect the environment" an illustrated article here

A  short video (Oct 2020) summarises how Fairtrade is tackling climate change -  here; plus several more case studies of the work farmers are doing - here

Ongoing Campaigns -

more here. They include:

FAIRTRADE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE - here

SHE DESERVES A LIVING INCOME  - here.

And see the latest development on this with the Mars programme

(OWW updated -  April 2023)

Global Education Week (GEW)

One World Week was the UK representative of the Global Education Week, under the auspices of the North–South Centre of the Council of Europe. When OWW, the Charity, ceasesd to exist in 2023, this role was taken over by Global Dimension (see above) and WCIA (see below).

  Global Education Week takes place in the third week in November each year.  more information here

The over-arching theme since 2020 has been:

It’s our world, let’s take action together! '

The Week focusses strongly on activities within the framework of the SDGs. The slogan “It’s our world, let’s take action together!” focusses on rethinking our world together, using Global Education as a tool for solidarity and change. During the Week all are called to play their role as global citizens and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world, by sharing solutions to rethink our habits and ways of living, but also finding new forms of education and socialisation.

The focus for 2023 is "let’s take action in November to promote solidarity and fairness through education".

Gathering and merging ideas is essential to the Global Education Week. Any parties interested can join this initiative by contacting the national coordinators of the network, (OWW in the UK) to engage directly in some of the activities already planned or by proposing new ones.

Relying on the European Consensus for Development, The North-South Centre and the Global Education network coordinators have developed a new outreach strategy for the Global Education Week (GEW). 

Visit the GEW's webpage here,with its 'toolkit' to support whoever wishes to join this yearly campaign.

Global Justice Now

Global Justice Now runs significant campaigns which relate to how we can help bring about change in the world. Their reports, briefing papers and webinars offer insights and analysis into the injustice of systems that cause poverty and suffering and what changes are needed for a better world to become possible.

 Campaigns

Climate Justice - here

For Global Justice Now, dealing with the structural root causes of climate chaos means changing the rules of the global economic system. That is:

• Changing international trade rules which give power to corporations and block climate action
• Ending public and private financing of fossil fuel infrastructure in the global south
• Changing a global debt system which locks the global south into dependency on rich countries and prevents them from investing in climate action
• Holding transnational corporations to account for undermining human rights and fuelling climate change

( A useful film "The Growth Machine" [2m 29s]) here)

A People's Vaccine

 Rich countries are hoarding vaccine supplies, leaving lower income countries without. This is not just immoral but could prolong the pandemic. Leaving billions unvaccinated in the global south, could allow the virus to mutate rendering the vaccines hoarded by rich countries useless.

The government needs to remove the barriers to ramp up global supply and ensure fair allocation of vaccines.

 More about the campaign here

Calling for Debt Justice (here)- jointly with Debt Justice (prior to 16 May known as the Jubilee Debt Campaign Campaign), which has excellent briefings and a range of actions,  calling for cancellation of debt so poor countries can instead spend money on their under resourced health services to help cope with the epidemic.

More on their other campaigns and opportunities for on-line actions we can take now:

• Aid - briefing and petition - here and a new leaflet to use on public stalls
• A new approach to international development here

• Migration - here

ACTION EVENTS - 

Find out how you can take part here

(OWW updated - April 2023)

The Islamic Foundation For Ecology And Environmental Sciences (IFEES)

is a UK based charity dedicated to the maintenance of the Earth as a healthy habitat for all living beings. "Our exertions since the mid 1980s have been directed towards creating mass awareness and include research, the production of teaching materials, training and project development and we offer this work as a gift to our fellow humans whoever and wherever they may be." (more here)

COP26 Declaration

Muslims across the UK and Ireland issued a united rallying call for world leaders to act decisively on the climate crisis.

"The statement, issued on Monday 18th October, was signed by 8 of the main national Muslim organisations in the UK and Ireland which represent a large number of the countries’ combined 2.7 million Muslim population."

Read about it and download it from here. (Also available in Faith Resources on OWW's website here.)

"Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change"

Find out about the "Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change" and download it from here

Thinking about a post Covid-19 Future

IFEES have issued a Statement: "What can we learn & do differently in the future?" about coming out of the Covid Crisis. Download it from their website here.

Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change

- download a copy from here.

(OWW - updated April 2023)

The Inter Faith Network

Their website has information and resources to help you find opportunities and ways to develop better understanding between faiths, here.

Up-coming Events

A list of upcoming events including details to register for online events.here

(A 2020 statement from the Inter Faith leaders about the Coronavirus pandemic here)

Faiths and Climate Change

Local inter faith organisations and environmental social action - here

Inter Faith Week in November

Inter Faith Week has grown steadily ever since its launch in 2009. It is a fantastic opportunity for people of all faiths and beliefs to mix and learn; visit places of worship of your neighbours and find out why their faith matters to them;  get past stereotypes and misunderstandings and increase religious literacy; celebrate; dialogue; and volunteer together to help your local community. - All about it here

Specific ideas and resources for Inter Faith Week, here.

 (OWW - updated April 2023)

Islamic Relief

"We believe in working together to campaign and advocate on important issues that affects the lives of many in the UK and across the world. We are working on some of the most pressing issues facing the world today such as climate change, conflict, gender issues and more." 

Current campaigns:

• Climate Change is killing people (Excellent video)

• Humanitarian Conflict

• Violence against Women and Girls

(OWW update April 2023)

Oxfam

 is "a global movement of millions of people working together to end poverty".

Its website outlines the main areas of its work and includes lots of stories about the impacts on people and communities - explore here.

You are invited to take action

on a range of issues with suggestions of messages to send MPs, including:

Climate Change:

     background here; action here

Oxfam is urging rich countries to fully fund an emergency response for the most fragile countries, and to double health spending in poor countries through aid and debt relief.

Rights in Crisis (the war in Yemen):

     action here

Patent free vaccines:  action here

You are invited to make donations and help fundraise -

to support Oxfam's programmes to tackle poverty - here

and to respond to Emergencies - listed here.

 (OWW update April 2023)

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

Scotland has its own coalition which helped secure the Scottish Climate Change Act targets which have reduced emissions by 45% since 1990

More about SCCS here

Find out about their current campaigns - here

 Stop Climate Chaos Wales

Wales has its own coalition - more about it here

(OWW update April 2023)

OWW is one of a number of civil society groups supporting a campaign to Stop ISDS in UK trade policy. Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms allow foreign investors to sue national governments for any measures which harm their profits. This makes it harder for governments to regulate in the public interest and can cost the taxpayer millions. Developing countries are especially vulnerable as they pursue Sustainable Development Goals and legislate to improve their environment, employment rights and health of their people – any of which might harm foreign investors profits! Find out more about ISDS here, with examples of companies suing Governments  Find out which organisations are part of the STOP ISDS coalition here.

This campaign is especially timely as the UK reassesses its trade and investment policy in the light of Brexit, but it is also supported by groups across Europe and internationally.  If you wish to support this campaign you can sign a petition addressed to the UK government here.

(OWW updated April 2023)

The Climate Coalition

Over 140 member organisations of The Climate Coalition (TCC) together have more than 22 million members. OWW has been a a member and we encourage our supporters to work locally with other groups to raise awareness of what needs to be done to tackle climate change. You can visit TCC's website to find out which other organisations are members - here.

The Climate Coalition has an exciting programme of actions through the year with a major focus on:

 Show the Love - in February  

Creative public engagement and green hearts - video here and more about the highlights of 2023

THE GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK - 

It was in September  in 2022 bu moved to June in 2023

sign up here to get news, contacts and resources.

TCC have set up a brilliant website: www.greatbiggreenweek.com  with advice, resources and all you need to make a local impact and get everyone thinking and talking about climate change. 

Sign up to get news about campaigns for a Green Recovery here

Take action together 

You can access their members list here and see if there are any local groups in your area that you can work with or join in any event they are organising; or you could invite them to yours!

 (OWW updated April 2023)

Trade Justice Movement

OWW is a member of the Trade Justice Movement.

Click here for more information about their work

TJM has useful summaries of the issues related to current trade deals: here; and useful reports and briefings briefings about trade and climate here. Plus:

- its Manifesto on Trade agreements (published Nov. 2019) - you can read it here

- trade policy designed to explicitly support the Sustainable Development Goals and the development goals of communities in the world’s poorest countries: here

Transform Trade

(formerlyTraidcraft Exchange)

"Join the fight for people centred trade. Together we can challenge bad trade practices that value profit at the expense of everything else" .

You can sign up to learn more here

(OWW updated April 2023)

Traidcraft Shop

Sadly, Traidcraft closed in 2023.

You can still buy fairly traded products - here is a list of suppliers.

(OWW updated April 2023)

UNITED for Intercultural Action

OWW has been a member of this European Network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees. More about the Network here

OWW, as a charity, cannot advocate campaign actions; but as an education charity we can provide information about campaigns, initiated by other organisations, which address the aims of the OWW theme. This offers our supporters an opportunity to consider whether they might wish to become involved.

CLIMATE CRISIS - ACT, NOW, ON CHILDRENS RIGHTS

Unicef UK have a petition asking the UK Government to sign the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. 

This chimes so closely with the spirit to the OWW 2021 theme, that is would make a very appropriate action to follow up One World Week. You can find out more and sign it here.  

Please share widely

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill, 

gives the Prime Minister a duty to ensure that the UK achieves specified objectives on climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity and outlines a framework for how this can be achieved, including establishing a Citizens’ Assembly. More about this on the CEE bill website here.

A video introduces the issues here.

ZERO Hour 

UNITED FOR NATURE

latest news: you can sign a petition

more here and here's how you can help.

Climate Outreach

Climate Justice Coalition

The Climate Justice Coalition is a UK-based coalition of groups and individuals to build solidarity and power around Climate Justice and Global Solidarity. Coalition members include environment and development NGOs, trade unions, grassroots community campaigns, faith groups, youth groups, migrant and racial justice networks – to name a few.

In 2022 they were going through a transition from the COP26 Coalition to the Climate Justice Coalition,

Friends of the Earth  (FOE)

FOE are doing some excellent work on climate including a set of demands for a green recovery. More here including a useful video.

They have drawn up a green and fair recovery plan (you can read it here) and outlined various ways to get involved in local action including working with your local council.

You can find out how to set up a ZOOM meeting here.

The Welsh Centre for International Affairs, WCIA.

inspires people to learn and act on global issues so everyone in Wales can contribute to creating a fairer and more peaceful world.

WCIA includes a Global Learning Centre which seeks to inspire people’s interest in global issues and develop their understanding of why these issues are relevant to all of our lives. They build people’s skills and confidence to explore different perspectives and then take informed action.

WCIA's Global Learning Centre is one of the two organisations (see also 'Global Dimension' ) taking on the representation of OWW with the Global Education Week. (see above).