As world leaders meet in Cancun to discuss the feature of the Global Climate Fund and the global response to climate change, we should not forget the role we play in advocating for change. Read the blog posting below, by clicking on the link to hear more about the life changing ideas that could be implemented out of Cancun.
An idea that could save lives Oxfam International Blogs
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hoosiers Fighting Hunger
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis is joining groups around the world to demonstrate support of efforts to address global food security and the need for action to fight global hunger. We often see images of starving children around the world and it is paralyzing in how to respond in a way that would really produce meaningful results. Oxfam Action Corps Indy will be hosting events the month of November to provide open discussion and tangible actions for Hoosiers to join the fight against global hunger.
Join us on November 18th to experience a Hunger Banquet, which demonstrates what hunger really means around the world for families. There will be discussion led by a Rep. Carson staffer and Oxfam Action Corps members, followed by a video of agricultural projects that are working from a former Peace Corps member from Indiana.
When? November 18th, 6:30-8pm
Where? Earth House Collective, 237 N East St, Indianapolis, IN
We are all in this together and it is time for Hoosiers to join the fight against global hunger.
Join us on November 18th to experience a Hunger Banquet, which demonstrates what hunger really means around the world for families. There will be discussion led by a Rep. Carson staffer and Oxfam Action Corps members, followed by a video of agricultural projects that are working from a former Peace Corps member from Indiana.
When? November 18th, 6:30-8pm
Where? Earth House Collective, 237 N East St, Indianapolis, IN
We are all in this together and it is time for Hoosiers to join the fight against global hunger.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Good Fortune Film Screening on Foreign Aid Reform
US foreign aid under-performs and often fails to reach the people who need it most. Oxfam seeks reform of US foreign aid to make it more efficient, more modern and more focused on ending global poverty.
Join us for a film screening of Good Fortune at the IMA on Thursday, September 30th at 7pm. The film explores how massive international efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa may be undermining the very communities they aim to benefit. The film poses questions about the intentions and methods of global philanthropy. The film is open to the public and ticket prices are $9 for the public, $5 for IMA Member and free entry for IUPUI students with ID. The film will also be followed by discussion.
The film screening is hosted by the IMA and the IUPUI Committee on African and African American Studies, with support from Provocate.org, Cold Spring Institute, The Village Experience, Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps and the IUPUI Office of International Affairs. To learn more about the film visit the IMA website.
(2009, 73 mins., dir. Landon Van Soest, Kenya)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Stand Against Poverty
Join the Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis and 5 other organizations in Standing Against Poverty on September 17th. From 5:30 to 8:30pm at Village Experience (6055 N College Ave), we will be showing what Hoosiers are doing to combat global poverty. Enjoy refreshments from Egyptian Cafe and learn about organizations that you can get involved with to join the fight against Global Poverty. We will be featuring a speech from Garret Johnson, staffer for Senator Lugar, about "Fighting Global Poverty in the 21st Century." We will also have a panel of Hoosiers fighting poverty firsthand.
If you would like to have a booth to highlight your organizations, contact us. We hope to see you there for what is sure to be an inspiring night.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Senate Drops Climate Change Provisions, Oxfam America President Raymond C. Offenheiser Calls for Action Now
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Dear friend,
Outraged. Influenced by big oil and coal, senators are leaving for the August recess without taking action on climate change. Last week, the climate and energy bill, the one that we have been working for years to pass, was decimated by oil and coal special interests. Although the bill critically addresses the Gulf Coast oil spill, the fundamental issues of climate change and real energy reform were eliminated. We cannot let the Senate get away with this – and we need your help. If we don’t do this today, it could take years to get this critical legislation passed. In those years, those living on the front lines of climate change will be fighting even harder to live and maintain their livelihoods. Do you have just 2 minutes to make a phone call? Here is all you have to do:
Waiting another year to tackle climate change, and its effects on the world’s poorest communities, is unconscionable. Now is the time, and your leaders need to hear from you. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Raymond C. Offenheiser | |||
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Join Me in Taking Action
Tell your Senators: Don't Cut Poor People Out of the Climate Bill!
secure.oxfamamerica.org
Poor communities are hit first - and worst - by climate change, but the bill authors are under pressure to cut key provisions from the climate bill that would help poor people around the world adapt to global climate change. Join me in taking action.
secure.oxfamamerica.org
Poor communities are hit first - and worst - by climate change, but the bill authors are under pressure to cut key provisions from the climate bill that would help poor people around the world adapt to global climate change. Join me in taking action.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps Highlighted in NUVO
Hello all! The Action Corps Indianapolis has been busy the past couple of months doing outreach and recruiting volunteers. NUVO highlighted our efforts in this weeks publication and the article is below. If you want to join our efforts, join us for our next volunteer meeting July 15th at 6:30pm at Earth House Collective.
Local Oxfam chapter unveiled
By Lauren Nigro
EDITORS@NUVO.NET
They got the call, and in April 2010, Kristin Clements-Effner and Tracie Moss traveled to Washington D.C.
And for what did they enlist? The fight to find international solutions to poverty and injustice under the auspices of Oxfam America, the U.S. branch of the global humanitarian NGO.
In Washington D.C., Effner and Moss attended a four-day orientation as organizers of an Oxfam Action Corps group being established in Indianapolis.
There are a total of 13 groups in the United States, San Francisco and New York City being two of the largest, with the Indianapolis group part of a crop of five new groups including outposts in Seattle, Wash. and Columbus, Ohio.
As part of the training, Effner and Moss were asked to put together an impromptu consciousness-raising event. With little advance time, they put together a screening of the short film Sisters on the Planet, a documentary concerning four women from countries affected by climate change: Sharon from coastal Mississippi, Muriel from Argentina, Sahena from Bangladesh, and Martina from Uganda.
"We were given three hours to put together the screening, "Moss said. "We had to get food and most importantly, get people to come. It ended up being a success and helped us get more energetic about what we were doing."
Effner and Moss brought their skills -- and a copy of Sisters on the Planet -- back to Indianapolis, again screening the film at the Earth House in May.
Effner, who grew up in suburbia, says it was easy for her to remain unaware about issues like global poverty and the impact of climate change.
"I was blind to the fact that there are people in other countries that do not have food, homes, and furniture," she explained. "I went on my honeymoon in Jamaica and was shocked that people were living in dirt huts without floors. And I am a firm believer that if you see something that is wrong, you should do something."
Effner found out about Oxfam America on www.idealist.com. "I wanted to be able to use the skills I had gained through my studies in social work on an international level and Oxfam gives me that opportunity."
Moss first heard about Oxfam America after the earthquake in Haiti. "I donated money to the Haiti relief, but I wanted to be able to do more. Oxfam does a lot on the ground and I wanted to help."
Effner and Moss are currently working on getting more volunteers in the Indianapolis area. "We want to make Hoosiers aware of what is happening around the world and what they can do to help," Effner said. The group signed up ten new volunteers since the film screening.
The Action Corp group will also be present at concerts and events (including the Lilith Fair and John Mayer show) throughout the year in the Indy area to inform visitors about the group and their mission.
Meanwhile, networking is key for these newcomers to activism. "We are also trying to recognize other local groups that have similar goals and the same ideas, so we can join our efforts," Effner said.
The Oxfam Action Corp group holds monthly volunteer meetings at various locations; July's meeting will be held July 15 at the Earth House at 6:30 p.m. More information about the group and dates for future meetings can be found on the group's calendar at indianapolisoxfamactioncorps.blogspot.com. New volunteers are welcomed.
Local Oxfam chapter unveiled
By Lauren Nigro
EDITORS@NUVO.NET
They got the call, and in April 2010, Kristin Clements-Effner and Tracie Moss traveled to Washington D.C.
And for what did they enlist? The fight to find international solutions to poverty and injustice under the auspices of Oxfam America, the U.S. branch of the global humanitarian NGO.
In Washington D.C., Effner and Moss attended a four-day orientation as organizers of an Oxfam Action Corps group being established in Indianapolis.
There are a total of 13 groups in the United States, San Francisco and New York City being two of the largest, with the Indianapolis group part of a crop of five new groups including outposts in Seattle, Wash. and Columbus, Ohio.
As part of the training, Effner and Moss were asked to put together an impromptu consciousness-raising event. With little advance time, they put together a screening of the short film Sisters on the Planet, a documentary concerning four women from countries affected by climate change: Sharon from coastal Mississippi, Muriel from Argentina, Sahena from Bangladesh, and Martina from Uganda.
"We were given three hours to put together the screening, "Moss said. "We had to get food and most importantly, get people to come. It ended up being a success and helped us get more energetic about what we were doing."
Effner and Moss brought their skills -- and a copy of Sisters on the Planet -- back to Indianapolis, again screening the film at the Earth House in May.
Effner, who grew up in suburbia, says it was easy for her to remain unaware about issues like global poverty and the impact of climate change.
"I was blind to the fact that there are people in other countries that do not have food, homes, and furniture," she explained. "I went on my honeymoon in Jamaica and was shocked that people were living in dirt huts without floors. And I am a firm believer that if you see something that is wrong, you should do something."
Effner found out about Oxfam America on www.idealist.com. "I wanted to be able to use the skills I had gained through my studies in social work on an international level and Oxfam gives me that opportunity."
Moss first heard about Oxfam America after the earthquake in Haiti. "I donated money to the Haiti relief, but I wanted to be able to do more. Oxfam does a lot on the ground and I wanted to help."
Effner and Moss are currently working on getting more volunteers in the Indianapolis area. "We want to make Hoosiers aware of what is happening around the world and what they can do to help," Effner said. The group signed up ten new volunteers since the film screening.
The Action Corp group will also be present at concerts and events (including the Lilith Fair and John Mayer show) throughout the year in the Indy area to inform visitors about the group and their mission.
Meanwhile, networking is key for these newcomers to activism. "We are also trying to recognize other local groups that have similar goals and the same ideas, so we can join our efforts," Effner said.
The Oxfam Action Corp group holds monthly volunteer meetings at various locations; July's meeting will be held July 15 at the Earth House at 6:30 p.m. More information about the group and dates for future meetings can be found on the group's calendar at indianapolisoxfamactioncorps.blogspot.com. New volunteers are welcomed.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Take Action Now!
Climate change is an issue that has direct human implications that result in loss of life, increased disease, increased hunger, and increased instability in already volatile regions. Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis is tackling this issue head on by empowering a grassroots effort to bring the human face to climate change. An imperative component is a comprehensive climate change bill that stops harming through the cutting of emissions and starts helping by providing funding to poor communities around the world that are disproportionately impacted.
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis has taken their message to Indiana elected officials, such as Senator Lugar, Senator Bayh, and Representative Carson. The message is clear that a comprehensive climate change bill needs to be passed and that an intrical component is the inclusion of adaptation funding now to help communities around the world cope with their changing environments. This funding looks like mangroves being planted to provide a natural barrier to flooding and irrigation systems and agricultural innovations to allow farmers to respond to drought conditions. These investments need to be significant and sizable to ensure that resiliency can be built now and prevent increased expenditures later to deal with more disastrous outcomes.
Oxfam Action Corps needs you to speak for the millions of people around the globe dealing everyday with the crisis of climate change as a vote may be taken in the Senate as soon as July 12th. Click here to take an e-action today.
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis has taken their message to Indiana elected officials, such as Senator Lugar, Senator Bayh, and Representative Carson. The message is clear that a comprehensive climate change bill needs to be passed and that an intrical component is the inclusion of adaptation funding now to help communities around the world cope with their changing environments. This funding looks like mangroves being planted to provide a natural barrier to flooding and irrigation systems and agricultural innovations to allow farmers to respond to drought conditions. These investments need to be significant and sizable to ensure that resiliency can be built now and prevent increased expenditures later to deal with more disastrous outcomes.
Oxfam Action Corps needs you to speak for the millions of people around the globe dealing everyday with the crisis of climate change as a vote may be taken in the Senate as soon as July 12th. Click here to take an e-action today.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Join Us in Changing the World
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis has been busy the past couple of weeks hosting our kick off event and conducting lobby visits with Senator Lugar and Bayh's office and Representative Carson. The Sisters on the Planet screening was a success, getting volunteers signed up for upcoming events and raising awareness of how climate change is impacting women around the world.
Our lobby visits were successful in letting decision makers know we are in Indianapolis and in getting champions for global poverty and food issues. We will continue to push forward in our efforts to get a comprehensive climate bill passed, address global food security, and aid reform issues.
This is just the beginning of our efforts and I know you want to be part of the our movement for change in Indianapolis for the poor and oppressed around the world. We will be enjoying pizza, fun, and discussion at our next volunteer meeting. You are invited to join the Action Corps this Thursday.
What? Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis Monthly Volunteer Meeting
When? June 17th, 2010 at 6:30pm
Where? Bazbeaux Pizza, 811 E Westfield Blvd, Indpls
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Meet Our New Sister on the Planet
Meet our new Sister on the Planet Sefya from Ethiopia and learn about the effects of climate driven drought on her family.
Sefya's Story from OA Videos on Vimeo.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sisters on the Planet Screening Event
Want to learn more about the ties between climate change, poverty and injustice? Interested in learning about Oxfam Action Corps grassroots campaign to fight the impact of clime change on vulnerable communities? Are you wondering why women are so disproportionately affected by climate related disasters? Are you generally interested in volunteering for a grassroots organization that has global impact on issues involving poverty and injustice.
Then join Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps for our first event and summer kick off celebration.
Where: Earth House Collective, 237 N. East Street
When: Thursday, May 27th at 6:30 pm
Learn how women around the globe, especially in poor countries, are disproportionately being affected by climate change and the associated natural disasters like droughts, floods and hurricanes. Hear the stories of Sahena, Sharon, Muriel and Martina as they discuss the impacts of climate change on their lives.
You'll also get a chance to learn more about the Oxfam Action Corps, our campaign, our purpose and opportunities to volunteer with us and other like-minded people. We'll discuss the Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps and our current campaign over food and refreshments.
Stay tuned to this blog and our soon to come Facebook page to keep updated on this event.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Why I Joined Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis
Passion. We all have a passion that sits deep in our heart, in our spirit. It may look a little different for each of us, but one thing we can center ourselves on is the desire for all of our brothers and sisters around the world to have lives that flourish and have dignity.
Humanity. I am here today because as I watch my two little girls laughing and playing in the yard on a warm spring day, they are filled with such love and innocence. They believe the world is already the way we think it should be. I can feel the quiet desperation of a mother in Uganda who longs to show her children what life could be, but is faced with the crisis of climate change. She must battle water scarcity and food insecurity. But in that desperation she shows a resiliency and hope that I can't begin to describe. She is my inspiration.
Duty. It is our responsibility as humans to do everything we can to help our fellow neighbors whether they live next door or across the world. Hoosiers aren't often viewed as catalysts for social justice. But, Oxfam Action Corps can change that. We can make a difference and there is a group of us who still think the world can change.
Through focusing on our passions, our child like humanity, and owning our duty, I know that we can make a difference around the world and show the world Indianapolis cares and is leaving our mark.
Kristin Clements-Effner
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis
Humanity. I am here today because as I watch my two little girls laughing and playing in the yard on a warm spring day, they are filled with such love and innocence. They believe the world is already the way we think it should be. I can feel the quiet desperation of a mother in Uganda who longs to show her children what life could be, but is faced with the crisis of climate change. She must battle water scarcity and food insecurity. But in that desperation she shows a resiliency and hope that I can't begin to describe. She is my inspiration.
Duty. It is our responsibility as humans to do everything we can to help our fellow neighbors whether they live next door or across the world. Hoosiers aren't often viewed as catalysts for social justice. But, Oxfam Action Corps can change that. We can make a difference and there is a group of us who still think the world can change.
Through focusing on our passions, our child like humanity, and owning our duty, I know that we can make a difference around the world and show the world Indianapolis cares and is leaving our mark.
Kristin Clements-Effner
Oxfam Action Corps Indianapolis
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Why Climate Change is a Poverty Issue
The mainstream debate on climate change has centered around many issues from polar bears, melting ice caps and carbon markets. However, the debate rarely focuses on the impact on poor communities.
The fact is poor communities both here in the U.S. and around the world are the most vulnerable to climate related natural disasters. Many poor people rely on agriculture and the land for their livelihoods and intensifying the impact of climate related natural disasters on their lives.
In particular, women who constitute the majority of the world's poor are often the hardest hit. In many communities, women's traditional roles such as food and water gathering have made them the front line in the climate change battle. While women in poor communities are more vulnerable, they are less likely to have education, opportunities and resources they need to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
While solutions to climate change that deal with mitigation such as emissions cutting is an important goal, Oxfam America's campaign focuses on helping poor communities adapt to the consequences of climate change that are here today. By supporting such projects we can help poor communities create resiliency to climate related disasters. Oxfam America has partnered with local organizations around the world on projects to help communities prepare for natural disasters and reduce their vulnerabilities. Examples of adaptation projects include:
- Creating a coastal barrier to floods with mangrove trees;
- Placing homes in flood-prone areas on raised platforms;
- Micro-insurance programs for farmers in drought ridden areas;
- Food banks for times of food shortage.
WHAT CAN WE DO IN INDY?
Currently, policymakers in the U.S. are crafting legislative proposals to tackle the climate change issue. As policymakers work on a comprehensive climate change we are asking that they the legislation includes funding for projects that will help poor communities cope with the effects of climate change.
You can become a volunteer with Oxfam Action Corps in Indianapolis to help advocate for this and other issues effecting poor communities at home and around the globe. Or you can contact your representatives and tell them that you want legislation that includes funding for international adaptation projects. For more information on how to act now e-mail us at: Indianapolis@oxfamactioncorps.org.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Oxfam Action Corps takes over Indy
Allow us to Introduce Ourselves
Welcome to the Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps blog! We're a recently formed volunteer group dedicated to taking on the fight against global poverty here in Indianapolis, Indiana. Oxfam Action Corps is a project of Oxfam America, a non-governmental international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty. The Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps is a non-partisan, grassroots volunteer initiative in key cities nationwide to inform, inspire, and mobilize public support for policies to create solutions to hunger, poverty, and social injustice.
Current Campaign
This year we are focused on mobilizing awareness and action regarding the impact of climate change on the poor, with a particular interest in women in rural areas who are closely tied to food production. They are among the most vulnerable, and at the nexus of climate change and food insecurity.
Our Role
We're educating our fellow hoosiers in Indianapolis and around the state on the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. We're reaching out at community festivals, concerts, homes, libraries, and special venues. We’re also encouraging people to contact their member of congress on this issue.
Join Us
FIRST OXFAM INDY MEETING
When: April 22nd at 6:30pm
Where: Earth House Collective
237 N East St; Indianapolis, IN
http://www.earthhousecollective.org/
Contact Us
If you would like to volunteer with the Indianapolis Oxfam Action Corps and can't join us on Thursday, please e-mail us at: indianapolis@oxfamactioncorps.org
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