On Wednesday night (24th August) a group of TEAR Fund supporters held a special screening of the 90 minute documentary Precious Life - an excellent film for people concerned with peace, justice and humanitarian issues.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the symposium on conflict photography as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. I’m not well versed in the personalities who work in this area but after hearing from a few of them I’m staggered that I got to hear them for free – especially Tim Page. His work and experience are mind blowing. I plan on doing a post for each of the  three symposium speakers I [...]

To use a very American expression – I feel conflicted about the USA. I have many American friends and most of the Americans I’ve met have been open hearted, charming people. The US keeps me entertained with movies, TV, books and music. I have America to thank for much of the technology I enjoy. And as kiwis we have to thank America’s involvement in WW2 for our existence as a free country.

Burma (also known as the Union of Myanmar) is a country we hear little about. Under military rule since 1962, the country is dominated by an oppressive regime resulting in a State of fear. Democratic elections have been planned for 2010, but they are a farce, or – as described by the US government – a mockery.  The leader of the democratic movement Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for many years, [...]

Fear brings out the worst in us. A ladybug lands on my hand. “How cute” I think to myself and gently blow it on its way. But if a harmless spider crawls on my arm I freak. I not only flick it off but stomp on it as well. My irrational panic causes a violent, hate- filled reaction. I’m riding on the bus and a young Arabic gentlemen sits down in the seat across from [...]

Xe, the US-based security firm formerly known as Blackwater, is under investigation by the US justice department, for trying to bribe Iraqi officials. According to the New York Times, the attempted pay-offs were made in hope of securing contracts after a deadly shooting in 2007, which eventually led to the companys expulsion. The US justice departments fraud section opened the inquiry late last year to determine whether Blackwater employees violated a federal law banning US corporations from paying bribes to foreign [...]

At its heart, Obama’s Nobel acceptance speech reveals that even this most eloquent and reflective of presidents cannot find a new vocabulary to describe America’s relationship with, and role in, the world. The reason is clear: such a vocabulary cannot exist in the geopolitical framework in which Obama, whatever his intentions, feels constrained to operate. Instead, the myth of American exceptionalism must be reasserted; it is the only way the president, and the American people [...]

Humans are mad.  There’s no question about it – as a species we are certifiably insane.  When aliens jump in their UFOs for a joy ride, I’m sure they swing by Earth, just to have a laugh at the crazy antics of the dominant species… or perhaps they discuss our self destruction with horrified bemusement.

Frank interviews TEAR Fund International Programmes Officer Ian McInnes on his recent trip to Somaliland and Uganda, regions troubled by conflict. FInd out the challenges of working in a place like Somaliland and hear how TEAR Fund is making a difference.

The following is a great vid with a remake of a Bob Marley Song featuring musicians from various parts of the world. Fabulous!