Global Centre archive

This page features links to features and articles describing just some of the many previous activities connected with the Global Centre. It reveals the varied ways in which communities and individuals in Devon are making links with and campaigning on behalf of communities in the south.

2008

Torbay Model United Nations Assembly
The Global Centre recently coordinated a very successful Model United Nations Assembly on climate change and the Millennium Development Goals involving sixth formers from 8 Torbay schools. Click here

Fairtrade Devon campaign
The Global Centre is helping steer the Fairtrade Devon campaign. During Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 the Global Centre organised a highly successful tour by Ugandan Fairtrade Tea Producer Martin Oboch. Click here

2007

The heat is on at the Global Centre
32 people attended a meeting at the Global Centre in November to discuss the George Monbiot's book Heat. The discussion was part of a series of 'Low Carbon Exeter' events.

The book makes challenging reading. George Monbiot, along with many scientists and environmentalists, now believe that if we are to have any hope of avoiding catastrophic social and environmental change due to climate change, we must reduce our carbon emissions in the UK by 90% by 2030. This is way above the 60% reduction by 2050 which the UK government are advocating; indeed even a 60% target on current trends might seem ambitious.

As always with George Monbiot's writing, Heat is meticulously researched and referenced and by examining in detail different sectors of the economy - such as housing, energy and transport - he identifies ways in which his 90% cut can be achieved. He also maintains that this cut can be achieved without turning the UK into a Third World Country. Indeed, although he makes clear we will all have to consume less and share our resources more evenly, he believes a 90% carbon reduction can me met relatively painlessly.

Discussions on the evening included the idea of carbon rationing, an idea included in George's book - some believing this is the only solution, others believing it is too complex; aviation and flights - George sees no solution to this problem, we are just going to have to fly less; and Carbon Rationing Action Groups (CRAGs) - local groups who support and encourage one another to reduce their carbon footprints.

The high turnout to such a discussion - and most had not even read the book - demonstrates the importance and urgency many attach to this crucial issue. Politicians, wake up and listen!

For a neat summary of Heat, chapter by chapter click here. Copies of Heat are available for loan from the Global Centre. Read it and be challenged!

For more information on CRAGs click here

Model United Nations Assembly
As the G8 conference concluded in Germany, Exeter held its own international conference in the form of a Model United Nations Assembly in the Council Chambers at Devon County Hall. The Assembly, a simulation or role play of the United Nations, looked at the crucially important issues of Climate Change and the Millennium Development Goals. Click here

An inconvenient evening
It was a full house at the Global Centre to view the acclaimed film An Inconvenient Truth in April. Find out how inconvenient climate change is to you by looking at our list of personal actions to combat climate change! Click here

‘Eradicate extreme poverty’ most important Millennium Development Goal survey finds
An informal survey carried out by members of the Trade Justice Movement in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay found that the vast majority of people believe the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger to be the most important Millennium Development Goal (MDGs). This was just one of a number of practical initiatives taking place in 2007 to encourage engagement with the MDGs, and raise awareness of the importance of keeping-up pressure on UN governments to honour their MDG commitments. Click here

Fairtrade conferences
Devon Development Education and Exeter City Council again organised a series of half-day conferences on how to promote Fairtrade in schools during Fairtrade fortnight this year. Click here

2006

New Build Project
Read about this exciting project involving young people from Devon who visited northern Uganda during the summer of 2006 to help build a new school. Click here for details.

North Devon Model United Nations conference
A highly successful Model conference involving three secondary schools in North Devon which took place at the Civic Centre in Barnstaple. Students took on the role of delegates from different countries to discuss the issues of climate change. Click here for details

. Fairtrade Schools Conference
A special conference involving primary and secondary schools was held at the Global Centre during Fairtrade fortnight. Click here for the full story.

2005

The All-Night Vigil
An exciting culmination to the Global Week of Action in April when Trade Justice campaigners from across Devon joined hundreds of thousands of people across the world in an all-night vigil. Click here for the full story

Dirty Aid, Dirty Water action
Campaigners from the World Development Movement across Devon staged a colourful protest outside an Exeter based consultancy company to highlight the firm’s involvement in pushing water privatisation on poor countries. Click here for the full story

Over a thousand people demand an end to poverty in Plymouth
A day of action in Plymouth as part of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Click here for the full story.

Hundreds sign giant wrist band to Tony Blair urging him to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
As part of the global day of action against poverty on July 2nd, local World Development Movement (WDM) activists ran a stall at the Exeter Respect festival at which they succeeded in getting over 200 people to sign a giant white wrist band for Tony Blair. Click here for the full story.

Global Citizenship Conference 2005
Over 100 teachers from Plymouth, Torbay and Devon attended a conference exploring the issues of conflict resolution, globalisation and sustainable development. Click here for the full story.

Food for Thought Day June 2005
Eight schools attended this year's Food For Thought day on a sunny solstice day. The day was hosted by the Organic Arts project and farmer Andrew Bragg, both based at West Town Farm, an organic dairy farm just outside Exeter. Click here for the full story.

2004

Thinking critically about trade
Details of a workshop on trade with sixth formers at Exeter College. Click here for the full story.

Food for Thought exchange visits
Between July 2003 and August 2004 a series of teacher exchange visits between teachers in Devon and teachers in Uganda took place. Click here for the full story.