-
On not always labouring furiously
“The mind should not be kept continuously at the same pitch of concentration, but given amusing diversions… Our minds must relax: they will rise better and keener after a rest. Just as you must not force fertile farmlands, so uninterrupted productivity will soon exhaust it, so constant effort will sap our mental vigour, while a…
21 Jul 2011 jane -
The FCO’s Human Rights Work 2010-11
Evidence submitted to the Parliamentary the Foreign Affairs Committee. The Committee’s inquiry posed the question of whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s mandate in prioritising British business interests contradicted its human rights mandate.
-
NNEKA: Soul is Heavy
This awesome track is from Niger Delta born, Hamburg-based Afropolitan star: NNEKA. An incredibly talented singer-songwriter, she combines unique vocals with a passion for the struggles of the Niger Delta people. NNEKA has been an outspoken supporter of the campaign for environmental and social justice in the Delta for many years. The song features a…
15 Jul 2011 admin -
Shell sponsorship and censorship at Southbank Centre?
On 29th June, the Arts Council England finally announced its new “Catalyst Arts” philanthropy programme, aimed at pushing arts organisations towards a US-style corporate and private philanthropy culture. It’s ironic that 3 days later, PLATFORM had a close encounter with censorship from a major arts venue, the Shell-sponsored Southbank Centre, London. As part of the…
14 Jul 2011 jane -
Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Living Memorial launched in Tottenham
On Tottenham Civic Day, 25th June, the day dawned damp. But we needn’t have worried. The weather held and a good crowd enjoyed the full programme of outdoor performances, creative artists’ stalls, and delicious barbecue that was laid on by the great staff at Bernie Grant Arts Centre. The Centre is the new home for…
14 Jul 2011 jane -
Protesters Storm Shell Base at Kolo Creek
On Thursday 7 July, shortly after 6am, women and youth from communities in the Kolo Creek area of the Niger Delta protested against more than a decade of broken promises, oil spills and gas flaring from Shell. With only placards and palm fronds, peaceful protestors confronted heavily armed military soldiers and succeeded in breaching the gates of the Shell…
9 Jul 2011 admin -
Geoengineering and synthetic life – BP’s “solutions” to climate change and the energy crisis
While drilling holes in the Atlantic seafloor and mining tar sands, BP has also been working with Craig Venter’s Synthetic Genomics to geoengineer microbes that could be injected into tar sands to release methane and create algae-based biofuels, according to Jim Thomas of etc group writing for The Ecologist yesterday. He also investigates BP’s role in driving science-fiction schemes to re-engineer atmospheric…
29 Jun 2011 admin -
Report: 2 Protesters Shot and Gov’t Official Killed in Ogoniland
Disturbing news has emerged that on Sunday 12 June, 2 Ogoni youth were reportedly shot dead by Nigerian police following a protest against the relocation of Bori Camp military base to Ogoniland. A government official who was backing the Rivers State Government’s plan was also reported killed in a retaliation. Saharareporter’s investigations revealed that trouble…
16 Jun 2011 admin -
Tottenham’s Bernie Grant Arts Centre to Welcome Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial ‘Battle Bus’
LAUNCH EVENT: Saturday 25 June, 12-2pm, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Rd, London N15 4RX. MAP: View Larger Map A spectacular life-size steel bus, created as a memorial to Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, will be officially welcomed to its new home in Tottenham as part of Civic Day celebrations on Saturday 25 June.…
16 Jun 2011 admin
