Avatar photo by Ruth

Today’s Meeting Summary

October 1, 2013 in campaigns, events, information by Ruth

Hey everybody,

Since some of you had to leave early, hereā€™s a quick recap of what happened at the meeting today.

We voted for our campaigns for this year with the results as follows:

Our Campaign for the Year: Conflict Minerals as part of the Conflict Free Campus InitiativeƂĀ (CFCI), a creation of Enough Projectā€™s ā€˜Raise Hope for Congoā€™ campaign.

First Semester Main Campaigns: LGBT Rights with a focus on Russia (October) and then Womenā€™s Rights with a focus on India (November).

Second Semester Main Campaigns = GuantƔnamo Bay (January) and then Human Trafficking (February/March).

Although we appear to have more time next semester, the Secret Policemanā€™s Ball will leave us short on time for campaigns in February, which is why we opted for just two main campaigns again.

The full list of campaign suggestions were:

  1. Destitution and Forced Evictions
  2. Guantanamo Bay
  3. Right to Education
  4. Asylum Deeker and Refugee Rights
  5. Tibet
  6. LGBT Rights (Russia)
  7. Pussy Riot
  8. Human Trafficking
  9. Womenā€™s Rights (India)
  10. Violence Against Women (in the UK)
  11. Organ Harvesting in China
  12. Conflict Minerals
  13. Death Penalty
  14. Water Rights/Land Rights

We will try and cover the remaining campaigns at various points throughout the year as one-off meetings.

I am very excited for our chosen campaigns! As I said, LGBT rights, human trafficking and
GuantƔnamo Bay have never been a main focus for GU Amnesty (not since I joined anyway) so it is
great to be doing these. For now though, here are the suggestions for our first campaign:

  • Day of Silenceā€“ ā€˜The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.ā€™
  • Events in partnership with LGBTQ+, the Equality Network (including something discursive),
    and the 4 student bodies but particularly GUSA and GUSSC in relation to a campaign in the run up to the Winter Olympics.
  • Attending events in the Glasgay festival.
  • A photo campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ at our university/globally and against Russiaā€™s anti-gay crackdown and the Olympic Committeeā€™s inaction.
  • ā€˜Love is a human rightā€™ gig night, hopefully with the GU Band Society, as a combined campaign and fundraiser.
  • Visual demonstration on campus (somebody suggested creating an image using the Olympic rings and someone else thought of playing the Russian anthem).
  • Letter writing, as always.

These ideas were FANTASTIC and we will begin contacting the various organisations to see what we can arrange.

We will be having a bake sale outside the library next Thursday 10th October for International Day against the Death Penalty. We will need everyone who is available even if itā€™s only for a couple of hours to help run the stall and to take part in a demo. We will spend some time at our next meeting organising this.

Elections ā€“ we are hoping to start next weekā€™s election at 6pm so that we still have time for a regular meeting. However, we will obviously double check at the start of the meeting to make sure that everyone who wants to run can stay from 6pm onwards, and if not weā€™ll begin before then.

Finally, itā€™s our Tibet meeting tomorrow in the Boyd Orr 6(6.30 start)-8pm. Iā€™m glad so many of you are coming along, Iā€™ll see you there.

Ruth

Avatar photo by Ruth

Petition for a Conflict-Free Glasgow

February 9, 2013 in actions, campaigns, cfci, main, petitions by Ruth


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CFGlasgow BannerWatch our campaign video on YouTube.

GU SRC Motion on Conflict Free Campus

Petition to: David Newall (Secretary of Court), Professor Anton Muscatelli (Principal)

Gold, tin, tungsten, and tantalum are found in the electronic products we use every day, such as computers, mobile phones, and MP3 players. These minerals are now known as ā€˜conflict mineralsā€™ because they are extracted from mines controlled by armed groups who use violence and mass rape to control local populations. These armed groups generate an estimated $144 million each year by trading in conflict minerals 1.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries worst affected by this illicit trade, with an estimated death toll of over six million2; and hundreds of thousands of women and children having been raped 3. Children are also forced into mines, undertaking heavy labour and 80% of the population lives on 30 cents or less per day 4. The sheer scale of this forced labour amounts to modern slavery.

This is a conflict that major electronics companies have known about for nearly two decades, yet little has been done to prevent the use of conflict minerals in our everyday technologies. While it is an inescapable reality that we are all going to keep using our mobiles and other essential consumer electronics, this should not be at the expense of fuelling the deadliest conflict in the world. Companies that use these minerals in their manufacturing processes must ensure that these minerals do not come with the cost of human lives.

Glasgow University Amnesty International has joined Raise Hope for Congoā€™s Conflict-Free Campus Initiative (CFCI), a global movement of students campaigning for peace and justice in the Congo. By encouraging university officials and stakeholders to commit to measures that pressure electronicsā€™ companies to responsibly invest in Congo’s minerals sector, we are voicing the University of Glasgowā€™s collective demand for certified conflict-free products.

While we recognise that a more multifaceted and comprehensive plan of action is needed to solve the current crisis in Congo, ending the largely unrecognised illicit extraction and trade of conflict minerals will certainly remove a major economic incentive for numerous state and non-state sponsored militias. The direct link between war in Congo and the consumer products we use every day gives our University enormous power to demand change from electronicsā€™ companies. By issuing a resolution supporting the conflict-free movement, the University of Glasgow would amplify and strengthen efforts calling for companies to trace, audit, and certify their supply chains to ensure their products do not support a minerals trade that is benefiting militia groups.

The University of Glasgowā€™s Sustainable Development Policy 5 states:

ā€œThe University of Glasgow recognises the significance of sustainable development in global, national and local contexts and acknowledges a commitment to the protection of the environment and the conservation of our natural resources.

ā€œThe University is concerned about the effects of its decisions and actions on the quality of life, the economy and world poverty, as well as the environment and natural resources.ā€Ā

The University has agreed to adopt the following actions:

ā€œTo build partnerships and create local information networks for sharing experience and knowledge of sustainability, and to contribute to national and global discussions of sustainability issuesā€Ā

We the undersigned call for the University of Glasgow to action the proposals set out in the SRC Motion for a Conflict-Free Campus, which are:

  • To call for the University to give priority to companies who implement due diligence when sourcing their minerals ā€“ tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold ā€“ from the Democratic Republic of Congo, when considering vendors for future electronic product purchases
  • To call for the University to express and foster a strong commitment to purchasing products that have been certified as ā€˜conflict-freeā€™, upon considering the future procurement of electronic devices, once commercially available.
  • To call for the University to express a strong commitment to purchasing electronic products from companies that respect and promote human rights throughout the productsā€™ lifecycle including the mineral extraction and trading phases.
  • To call for the University to issue formal letters of inquiry to contracted electronics suppliers on the status of company efforts to address mineral supply chain transparency and accountability.
  • Attempts to address these issues of transparency and accountability should pay heed to these guidelines, developed by the University of Pennsylvania Conflict-Free Campus Initiative, instructing companies to:
    1. Strengthen company management systems (including establishing and distributing a supply chain policy);
    2. Identify and assess risks in the supply chain;
    3. Design and implement a strategy to respond to identified risks;
    4. Ensure independent third-party audits of supply chain due diligence at identified points in the supply chain;
    5. Disclose publicly supply chain due diligence and findings.
  • If these approaches fail to bring change in a reasonable amount of time, the University should give purchasing preference to compliant companies as well as consider not renewing contracts and divesting from non-compliant ones.
  • To mandate the Studentsā€™ Association to do all of the above in their sourcing of electronics.

Petition for a Conflict-Free Glasgow

PETITION TO: DAVID NEWALL (SECRETARY OF COURT), PROFESSOR ANTON MUSCATELLI (PRINCIPAL)

We would like to see the University of Glasgow make the pledge to be ā€˜conflict-freeā€™ as a step towards promoting peace in the Congo. This move would make the university the largest Conflict-Free University in the UK and a leader in the market for conflict-free products.

ā€˜Conflict mineralsā€™ - gold, tin, tungsten, and tantalum - are found in the consumer electronics that we use every day, such as computers, mobile phones, and MP3 players. They originate in countries like Congo, where they are extracted from mines controlled by armed groups who use violence and mass rape to control local populations. It is estimated that over 6 million people have died since 1998, making this the deadliest conflict since World War II.

Glasgow University Amnesty International has joined the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative, a global movement demanding that companies exercise due diligence and take responsibility for their supply chains by not sourcing minerals from Congoā€™s conflict-ridden mines.

We the undersigned request that:
The University of Glasgow actions the requests outlined in the SRC Motion for a Conflict-Free Campus thereby issuing a resolution supporting the conflict-free movement.

[signature]

122 signatures

Share this with your friends:

   

  1. http://www.jww.org/conflictareas/congo/overview/conflict-minerals
  2. http://www.caritas.org/activities/emergencies/SixMillionDeadInCongoWar.html
  3. http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/conflictareas/congo/overview/women-under-siege
  4. http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/images/pdf/fact_sheet.pdf
  5. www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_142656_en.doc

Falun Dafa – Home

January 16, 2013 in china, information by Debbie White

Falun Dafa – Home.

Last Meeting of Term Tomorrow!

December 5, 2011 in news, Pre 2012 Archive by Catherine

Hi everyone!

Sorry this update is a day late. Hope you’re all getting through exam season happily! The Protect the Human club night at Stereo was a great success! We made nearly Ā£600! Amazing! Thanks to Owen for doing such a brilliant job and to all of you who went along.

This week’s meeting

This week we’re in Committee Room 1 at 5pm, Tuesday in the QMU.

It’ll be our last meeting of the term so we’ll have a nice relaxed one! We’ll start getting some decorations prepared for the Secret Policeman’s Ball, talk about plans for next semester and have a bit of a feedback session about what you enjoyed this term, didn’t enjoy so much, or want to do more of!

Coming up

– Same sex marriage consultation in Scotland: Action before the 9th Dec: The Scottish Government is currently seeking views on the introduction of religious ceremonies for civil partnerships, and the possible introduction of same sex marriage. Amnesty strongly supports the Scottish Government’s proposal which seeks to create a balanced relationship between same sex and mixed sex couples when it comes to civil partnerships and marriage. Our group is organising an awareness-raising event on campus. We’ll discuss it some more on Tuesday, but as ever the more people and the more ideas the merrier! Follow this link for more information about the consultation: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=325. We started to plan this last week- but because some of us are really bogged down with work we’re looking for some one who isn’t to take the reins on this one- but we’ll discuss tomorrow!

– Christmas caroling: We’re caroling at 12pm on Sunday 11th and Monday 12th December, from 12pm for an hour or so, starting on Byres Rd then moving to town; hopefully raising lots of money! Come along whether you can sing or not- we’ll hit the pub afterwards!

-Write for Rights Day, Sat December 10th: The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is Amnesty’s biggest letter writing date. Check out this link for more info http://www.amnesty.ca/writeathon/.

– Pub quiz with Mary’s Meals, Sun 15th January, Jim’s Bar, QMU, 7pm: A lovely way to spend a Sunday evening; a quiz with prizes worth competing for! This is a joint event with GU’s Mary’s Meals group: if you want to learn more about the charity, here’s the link to its website:http://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
We’ll need a group of volunteers to help arrange this closer to the time; let me know if you’re particularly interested in helping out.

– The Secret Policeman’s Ball is confirmed for Saturday 4th February in Qudos- very exciting! Billy Kirkwood is confirmed as our compere. The posters are almost designed so we’ll start on a massive PR drive soon. There’s masses to organise so we need everyone to get involved. This annual night of comedy has been more and more successful over the last couple of years, raising thousands of pounds for Amnesty, and we want to make this one the biggest yet!

– If you have any fundraising/campaigning ideas, please share them!

If you’ve not been to meetings so far, please come along- newcomers are always welcome. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 5pm in Committee Room 1 in the QMU.

See you on Tuesday (tomorrow!) at the meeting!

Catherine

Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/

Sleep Out Week!

February 21, 2011 in campaigns, events, information by Rob Hallam

Dear GU Amnesty,

STAR-Amnesty National sleepout week is here and we’re taking to the street to stand up for destitute refugees and asylum seekers nationwide.

Tuesday 22nd February: Double Meeting. Amnesty and STAR are doubling up for a 2 hour meeting from 5pm-7pm in committee room 1 of the QMU ausual. The first hour shall be spent making banners and organising the photo action for Friday night. Then at 6pm we have Gary Cristie, the policy and research manager at the Scottish Refugee Council, joining us to talk about the causes of destitution for asylum seekers, and what we can do about it.

Friday 25th February: The Sleepout! 8pm, Wellington Church steps, University avenue. Speakers, entertainment and free food. Most importantly a vital opportunity to raise awareness on the situation of destituiton of asylum seekers.

Event details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202065543141659

Sponsor us at justgiving.com/starsleepout

Last Sleep Out!

Last Sleep Out!

See our old sleep out photos!

by megiana

First Week Back!

January 9, 2011 in campaigns, events by megiana

Hello everyone,

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you’ve had a nice relaxing time off and are back feeling refreshed for a new term filled with Amnesty fun! There are lots of exciting things coming up over the next few weeks and whilst essay deadlines and exams are still nice and far off, I hope you’re all as excited as I am!
What’s coming up?

* Tuesday 11th January – 8th Anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo Bay.

1. Refreshers Fair: 1pm – 5pm, Qudos, QMU. All help welcomed for half an hour here and there – we’ll be petitioning for those still detained in Guantanamo as well as hosting a stall to promote our society.
2. First Meeting: 5pm – 6pm, Committee room 1, QMU. We shall be a) making plans for Secret Policeman’s Ball preparation. b) Appealing to release Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo. Please bring along a postcard/photograph/something along those lines of your hometown for the action this week.

* Next Week: Exact dates TBC at Tuesday’s meeting-cake stalls and flyering for the Secret Policeman’s Ball.

* Saturday 22nd January: The Secret Policeman’s Ball, 7.30pm, ƂĀ£5, Qudos, QMU. Not to be missed!!! All information at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170131473022936

Thanks!

by megiana

Letter Templates For the Letter-Off

October 11, 2010 in campaigns, information by megiana

These letters only require that you sign your name at the bottom with the exception of the second letter which also requires that you enter the name of your local mp which can be found on this website: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

These letters can be printed off multiple times and must be printed of as an individual letters and not as a block of six. Once you have printed them off and signed them ,either hand them in at a meeting or put them in the postbox in the John McIntyre building. If you wouldn’t mind donating a few print credits/printer ink it would make a big difference. There is also a prize for the person who collects the most letters so when you have collected them put the together in an envelope with your name marked on the front. PLEASE DO NOT ADDRESS THE LETTER TO THE SENDER

Read on for the templates!

PS Hand written letters means double points….

Read the rest of this entry →

Take Action for Chen Guangcheng

September 22, 2010 in actions, china by Rob Hallam

Chen Guangcheng

Chen Guangcheng

An ad hoc legal adviser and his family are facing the very real prospect of starving to death in their own home in the Shandong province in China.

Since his release from prison on 9 September Chen Guangcheng and his family have been under house arrest imposed by village leaders in Dongshigu village, Shandong province. Chen Guangcheng is in urgent need of medical attention and he and his family are running out of food, but the authorities have refused to let them leave their home.

Get more information and take action here.

Poll: Campaigns!

September 22, 2009 in campaigns by Rob Hallam

Hi guys. As you will know from the meeting today, or our Facebook group, we are looking for people to tell us which campaign gets you most excited.

{democracy:2}

Please vote if you haven’t already!

by megiana

Minutes From Committee Meeting 09/09/09

September 10, 2009 in information, minutes by megiana

Here are the minutes from our first meeting of the 2009-1010 year.

In brief, lots of plans for recruitment and campaigning throughout freshers week that cannot be achieved without lots of bodies. Therefore the main message of the meeting was any time you can spare and anyone you can willingly drag along will be greatly appreciated, friends, flat mates, partners, people off the street? If they’re willing we want them!

An overview of what’s going on with times and places:

Freshers stall, East Quadrangle, Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th Sept, 10am – 4pm. Anyone around to help set up meet at 9am in the East Quadrangle on Tuesday morning.

Campaigning around Freshers week, The Arms Trade Treaty photo campaign which is getting as many people as possible to have a photo taken holding a sign saying they support the ATT, uploading these photos onto a seperate page on the website and seding the link out to all the top dogs, government,
Stamp out Torture Campaign, Coloured feet with harrowing facts to be scattered around the university, stamping out torture as people walk along them.
Justice for Individuals, Banner to be hung where the John Smith bookshop used to be in the SRC building.

More ideas:
Torture of jellybabies, asking people to torture a jelly baby symbolising the horrors. Is this PC though?
Freshers pack on it’s way with extra arms trade treaty information so a big push to be made on that.

Clothing stall, Ruth managed to gather two rails and there are plenty of clothes left from the fashion show so if man power is plentiful having a stall outside the QM on Tuesday, Wednesday and also Thursday to try and get some money raised right away!

Film screening, Thursday 17th Sept. Pending affiliation with the SRC then a showing of Persepolis (a film about womens rights in Iran) to be shown in the Williams room, attract any interested folk and get us all motivated for a year of campaigning.
Cultural carnival stall, Wednesday 16th Sept, 6pm – 9.30pm. A freshers event involving food from around the globe which we are being encooperated into by holding an Amnestea and cakes. As well as people to man the stall we need people to get baking, any ingredients bought can be reimbursed, also a possibility of a cake making party. Ideas needed for the tea, if anyone has any ideas how we can provide hot water? Or using ice tea was suggested? Thoughts please..!

Freshers Social, Tuesday 22nd September, 8pm, The Halt bar. A gathering of sorts at our trusty Halt bar to welcome new members to the social side of our society. The night is to be held in conjunction with STAR. Our fantastic publicity officer has already designed some amazing posters so it’s just a case of finalising details and asking STAR what they would like for the posters.

Our first meeting also to be held on the 22nd of September, pending a meeting the QM board are having on the 21st to decide room bookings etc. (Pretty sure we should be ok though!)

Protect the human week, 17th – 25th of October. Lewis has organised a gig night in the Captains Rest in conjuction with the band society. It is a function hire we were owed due to a mix up last year. We are also thinking of having the overnight munro challenge either weekend of that week to encooperate it with PTH week. Further information on that soon.

First fundraiser of the year, The Big Fun Run on Sunday 4th of October. A 5K sponsored run that I hope you all want to get involved in! We’ll be getting dressed up and running for the Demand Dignity campaign, anyone who doesn’t want to run then moral support is always appreciated!

Secret Policemans Ball, 5th December. Billy Kirkwood has voiced that he would be happy to compare again. He has a gig at the stand that night but is happy to cancel. Interest also from Susan Coleman to compare. Wasasa comedy group to be involved and perhaps the med student who has been nominated for a big award to sing if we can wangle it!

A new idea for this year is to try and get some media attention for every event we have so Lea is going to learn how to write press releases and get the ball rolling on that one!