Stop Sex Trafficking of Children: Child Wise Campaign Launch

My latest post at Th!nk3: Developing World: Stop Child Sex Trafficking!

Includes video of the Melbourne campaign launch at The Body Shop, featuring music group Blue King Brown.

Cote d'Ivoire Journalists Freed

From Global Voices:

The three journalists of Le Nouveau Courrier d'Abidjan arrested for refusing to reveal their sources have been finally released [Fr] this evening after a two-week ordeal.

Full report by Elia Varela Serra: 

Côte d'Ivoire: Journalists accused of document theft are freed

May Day March 2010 Buenos Aires

May Day 2010 Buenos Aires from Kevin Rennie on Vimeo.

There was literally an explosion of red in the centre of Buenos Aires on May Day 2010. Unionists, workers, socialists, students filled the streets in a large march.

Demand Release of Journalists in Cote d'Ivoire

Visit Change.org to help defend these journalists:

This past week, three journalists in the West African nation of Cote d'Ivoire were arrested and accused of stealing confidential documents after their newspaper, Le Nouveau Courrier, published the findings of a report into graft allegations against former officials from the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC).

Managing Editor Stéphane Guédé, News Editor Théophile Kouamouo, and Editor-in-Chief Saint-Claver Oula remain in jail as of this posting.
Demand Release of Journalists Who Exposed Human Rights Abuses in the Cocoa Industry

Stand Up to End Poverty 2010

STAND UP 2010

"When world leaders gather at the United Nations for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit in September, the voices of their citizens will follow them, telling them, loudly and clearly: "We will no longer stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and the broken promises to end it!'

The demands and expectations of citizens across continents and countries, made visible and audible throughout 2010, will culminate in the "Stand Up 2010" mobilization. Stand Up 2010 will take place over three days beginning Friday September 17th, through Sunday the 19th."
United Nations Millennium Campaign

Join us at Th!nk3: Developing World for the ongoing conversation.

Just Who is Alternative Deputy Prime Minister?

Enjoyed writing this so much, thought I'd post it here as well:

Will the Real Alternative Deputy PM Please Stand Up?

Strange things happen to everyone’s memory at election time. Yesterday I couldn't remember the name of the alternative Deputy Prime Minister, the deputy leader of the opposition Coalition. That’s the one who presumably will have a formal debate with Wayne Swan during the campaign.

It isn't Julie Bishop who is the deputy Liberal leader. She is a serial deputy, having been second-in-charge for Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Brendan Nelson. I’ll avoid the wedding cliché as we’ve had enough sexist political jokes lately.

It isn't the Nationals' Senate leader and failed Finance spokesperson, Barnaby Joyce. Before going on his electioneering 'wombat trail', he treated Fran Kelly to some of the more asinine stand-up-comedy in ages. His metaphors included: a present under Christmas tree; lost teeth at the dentist; boxing every horse in the Melbourne Cup; and the impossibility of getting Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston back together. Guess which one applied to Abbott's confused back-pedalling on Work Choices. Watch out Angelina!

It isn't the other Seinfeld clone, the tubiquitious Christopher Pyne. This overexposed comic seems to use every thesaurus word for scandalous, often in the same sentence. He's giving hyperbole a bad name. His mastery of the catchcry far outweighs his take on the facts. Chris should stick to doing his Alexander Downer impersonations.

Despite his constant nasty forays into local politics, Alexander isn't the deputy either. He did resign from parliament so he's just part of the posse. His paid job is to bring reconciliation to the divided people of Cyprus. Good luck to them! At least Pyne has managed to avoid a "things that batter' moment that helped to destroy Downer's leadership.

It isn't Joe Hockey but he's joined the comedians as well. Humpty should have stuck to his old mantra about not being able to unscramble eggs. Unfortunately for him, it didn't work in 2007. Perhaps he should use it on the Work Choices policy. It's a pity that he gave us such as tasteless attempt at wit with the sexist slur on Wayne Swan and Paris Hilton yesterday. I'm sure neither of them will be offended but I know many voters who were. Paris gave us that memorable satirical moment of the 2008 campaign with her Paris for President video. Joe for court jester?

It took me ten hours to recall the pretender's name even though I knew his job title. Just who is the leader of the National party? And where is he hiding? A wombat hole perhaps.

Click for the answer.

Julia, Put Solar on The Lodge

Join the 10/10/10 action on climate change.

Send Julia the message: Put Solar on The Lodge!

Video Scandal Threatens Indonesian Sex Education

Crosspost from Th!nk3: Developing world:

Sex education is not a formal part of the national curriculum in Indonesia but apparently it does happen in a haphazard way in many schools.

...it can be highly contentious in this secular nation with its deep religious roots. This is especially true when the universal obsession with celebrity encounters sexual scandal.
Viral Video Scandal Threatens Indonesian Sex Education

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Family Planning: The Population Elephant

My latest Th!nk3: Developing World post:

Population growth is the elephant in the room when assessing the progress of the UN Millennium Development Goals. Indonesia has a long history of in this area through effective family planning programs. There have been recent concerns that the world's fourth most populous nation faces many challenges in maintaining its achievements.
Family Planning: Gunning for the Population Elephant