In keeping with its long tradition of activism powered by music, Amnesty International, the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization, will use Yoko Ono’s generous gift of Lennon’s solo catalogue as the centerpiece of its campaign to rally activists toward human rights activism for the people of Darfur. The ‘Instant Karma’ moblisation focuses on saving the lives of innocent women, children and men who are dying by the thousands and restoring peace in the region.

A promotional video of the cause can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGbP23uHYE8

The two-CD set of “Instant Karma,” was released by Warner Bros. Records on June 12, boasts a stellar line-up of 23 world artists from a variety of genres putting their own unique spin on classic songs from Lennon’s solo songbook. The artists,  who come from the worlds of rock, pop, hip-hop and country include U2, Green Day, R.E.M.,Jackson Browne, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne,  Corinne Bailey Rae, Big & Rich, Snow Patrol, The Flaming Lips,Postal Service, Regina Spektor, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Los Lonely Boys, Jakob Dylan with Dhani Harrison and Ben Harper.

The Green Day video can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REklstJCauo with inserts of real-life stories and suggestions:

The rights to Lennon’s songs were donated by Yoko Ono, who has donated all music publishing royalties. Proceeds from CD and digital sales will support Amnesty International and its campaign to focus attention and mobilize activism around the urgent catastrophe in Darfur, and other human rights crises.

On another video produced by Refugees International, see:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1587138622759665645 we see the terrible stories of the 21st Century. A century where some can eat and others can become persecuted.

The video is called, On Our Watch - A documentary about genocide in Darfur. There is also a new non-celebrity charity called, Not on Our Watch, see: http://www.notonourwatchproject.org/ Their mission is described as: 

Our mission is to focus global attention and resources to stop and prevent mass atrocities.  Drawing on the powerful voice of citizen artists, activists, and cultural leaders, our mission is to generate lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized, and displaced.

What is sad about the whole situation is that the world watches, yet resources and the commitment to get more help is not happening. Could it be that our apathy is driven by the manipulation of today’s headlines - what I call a ‘not goodnews, therefore let us not print it’ attitude of the press and media. If governments can send in the army for Iraq, what is stopping governments from supporting the UN or backing the African Union? Is it because there is limited natural resources there? Or, is that too cynical a statement.

Maybe the apathy is driven by the fact that other peoples problems do not affect us directly. In addition, our attitude for survival means that there is no time for others. I find that there is no direction or suggestion about what we as individuals can do. Sure, we can buy a 2 box CD set and hope that the funds will route themselves in a positive manner. What we really should be doing is marching everyday and using the tools that we have to write, campaign and strive for the placement of this desperate situation higher up on today’s political agenda. Although Pop stars are welcome, we need to do something rather than rely on their voices to be our sole representatives. Playing on the word, ’soul’, we owe it to our existence to strive for change.

As the latter video says at the end, ‘Genocide must not go unchallenged.’

Popularity: 47% [?]

I recently heard that digital viewers who happen to be Polish will soon be able to use the red button on their remote controls to display polish subtitles…

Broadcasters are to introduce foreign language subtitles to accommodate immigrant workers from Eastern Europe.
Councils have already introduced road signs in Polish to help confused lorry drivers to follow diversions. Now television will do its bit to help new arrivals feel at home. S4C, the Welsh-language channel, will be the first in Britain to offer subtitles in Polish. Thousands of Poles have settled in the Principality since their country joined the EU in 2004. Digital viewers will be able to choose to have subtitles in English, Welsh or Polish by using the red button on the remote control.  Almost 400,000 Poles have come to work in Britain, altering the make-up of many communities. The previously bilingual S4C, which has a mandate to bring Welsh culture to viewers, believes that the Polish influence on the country is here to stay.

Not meaning to sound cynical, honest! I wondered how nice, accommodating and at such speed this service has been introduced for the Polish community. One may argue that technology is now available to offer this compared to a few years ago.

Let us go back in time. When my parents first came to the UK in the late 1950s it is distressing to listen to the greeting that they received. It is too rude to repeat in detail - signs on doors publicly stating their preference of resident!

It takes more than Subtitles to get the best from communities!

Advertising, media and events continue to ignore the contribution that all members from different ethnic groups make to British society. In addition, what we see on TV, ironically with the increasingly added dimension of reality TV also bears no reflection of life. Society is divided and the token ethic family on soap with a stereotypical and stretched story line is not going to help either.

The impact of the media’s ‘head in the sand’ mentality will have an impact on our current and next generation. They will see no role models or representatives striving for a positive and optimistic attitude.

Does it mean we need to wait for a sports person to succeed so that they can be positioned appropriately?

It appears that some of the media are too wrapped up in the world of celebrity happenings and Big Brother sensationalism. Political commentary, challenging of real world and street issues are ignored or simply been left to what I call, ’surface or skimmed’ reporting.

Maybe some may argue that the latter is just too boring. I would suggest that the serious issues are never really given a chance.
Let us also not forget that it is only the chosen few are selected and allowed to comment!

In summary, it therefore, takes more than subtitles to bring society together. 

Popularity: 45% [?]

A few years ago I was invited to a Business Exchange type of networking event - an event where there is hope that a lot of business folks can get together and hopefully help each other out by winning business or developing new strategies together. The hotel hired was clearly expensive and had lots of champagne and freshly squeezed orange juice ‘laid on’. In addition, together with hors d’oeuvre’s of all shapes and sizes.

Upon arrival we were led to the hotel’s grand hall. Waiters rushed backwards and forwards ensuring that upon entry each entrant was supplied with a glass of his/her chosen damage. In front of me was a sea of dark suits, both men and women engaged in filling the hall with the sounds of rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb… With a glass in one hand and a plate of mini quiche’s in the other I walked towards bunches of people in a hope to contribute at an appropriate point of interlude.


It then dawned on me that most of the conversations were being led by financial and legal consultants who would typically emerge from the right hand side of the hall and ‘net’ individuals within their vocal grasp. I remember being financially propositioned (in a ‘would you be interested in a business loan’ manner) at least twice.

OK, maybe what I have described is not typical of what happens at all these events and I have had described to me lots of similar events where valued guest speakers pitch their services and there really is great potential to engage in constructive debate focused around gaining new clients, together with identifying possible synergies. Many of these events are both regional and others national. Maybe I just had a bad experience that day - but I hold out hope for the power of the Internet and its potential to connect people in a non-threatening way and through sensible discussion (and equality).

A few years ago I worked on a large online learning project. Interestingly, the eventual completion was only between 5% and 10%. This implies that although online tools are available, take-up is limited due to factors such as time. What did work was the power of combining face-to-face and online learning, a blended approaches.

Today a newish phenomenon has started. It is called Social Networking. I’ve just set-up two: www.k-lever.net - for business and http://fitnessandstrength.ning.com. The latter in a hope to bring people together to exchange and motivate each other to be and stay fit.

I believe if we take lessons from the initial example that I gave and create a blended networking infrastructure, then there maybe a chance that new and real business opportunities can emerge, niches can be identified and true friendship can emerge – NB Only if people are participative rather than passive observers. Let us not forget less food will be potentially wasted!

Popularity: 46% [?]

Great to see some new talent through an awesome sound.
I’m actually really a Jazz, Funk and Soul Fan - See http://www.smoothgroovers.com

The video is gr8 fun too…

Popularity: 50% [?]