Monthly Roundup November 2023
OPEN LETTER TO SECRETARY GENERAL GUTERRES ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Arts empowering refugees and migrants
"The story of the Tumaini Festival (‘Tumaini’ means ‘hope’ in Swahili) - the world's first and only arts festival hosted in a refugee camp - is a testament not only to refugees’ spirit of resilience but also to their capacity for creativity, expression and joie de vivre, as members of a group often defined by what they seek rather than what they bring."
“I use the transforming power of the arts and films as a refugee to tell untold stories, build empathy, and boost refugee voices,” says Bichano, a Congolese refugee who founded the World Refuge Film in Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
Canada Bans Elephant Ivory & Rhino Horn Trade
A major win for animals! Canada has banned domestic trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn, including the import of hunting trophies containing these parts, a critical step in protecting these endangered species. The ban comes as the Jane Goodall Act makes its way through the Senate. The landmark legislation represents some of the strongest for animal protection in the world and, if passed, would phase out elephant captivity in Canada.
Read more about theJane Goodall Act HERE
Take action today and show your support! Add your name to tell government ministers and Senate caucus leaders to support the Jane Goodall Act HERE
Art for conservation: Kenya’s Retiti Elephant Sanctuary needs Support
"Thirteen orphaned elephants will be released back into the wild from the Retiti Sanctuary in the coming months, but they are short of funds to ensure the process will go smoothly.
Vital Impacts, a non-profit organization using art and storytelling to support conservation, is making a push to raise money for the sanctuary through the sale of incredible wildlife photographs."
To buy prints go to vitalimpacts.org, to watch Ami Vitale’s film Shaba visit www.shabafilm.org and to view the work of the Retiti Elephant Sanctuary: www.reteti.org.
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I will be on a short break until January 2024, until then take care of yourself and others.