June 30, 2009 by amucklow
So, this debate will not take place ’til the long winter nights are back but it is definitely worth thinking about some of the issues surrounding water. Drought is predicted to become an global problem and could bring neighbouring states into conflict.
Four enterprising speakers will outline their solutions to this crisis before being interrogated by a panel of experts. The audience will then have the final vote, with the winner receiving a fititious $1 000 000 000 cheque to put their ideas into practice.
The event starts about 6pm and is not until the 19th NOVEMBER 2009 but put it in your diaries. Click here for more information.
by amucklow
Knock on the Door is an exciting new online store which will showcase ethical yet fashionable clothing. They are committed to searching for new designers to produce a capsule collection and will encourage them to use ethical fabrics.
Work can be done for Knock on the Door on a freelance basis where designers are paid for their designs and the sourcing and manufacture will be done by Knock on the Door. Your collection can be trend led or completely innovative but the key point is that it must be wearable. The first focus is on DRESSES.
For more information email designers@knockonthedooronline.com or see the Knock on the Door website.
June 29, 2009 by amucklow
One year Masters’ level scholarships are now available for study in the UK. The area of study is Developmental Economics and Science & Technology Studies.
To be eligible you must be:
- An Indian national, domiciled in India and not more that 35 years old on May 1st 2009.
- Cadidates with work experience in the selected field of study may be preferred.
Click here to find out more and download the application form.
by amucklow
June 26, 2009 by amucklow
Annie Sherburne presents the 4th of 12 exhibitions at the back of the shop galleryon Natural Dyes. The exhibition started last week on June 25th and will run for roughly a month, until the end of July.
The exhibtion explores what natural dye colours look like and how they compare to chemical dyes. There are examples of a rainbow of colours on display. For more information click here.
June 25, 2009 by amucklow
A new TV series is looking for creative people to take part in a show about traditional or contemporary crafts.
If you fancy creating a masterpiece and are excited about working with textiles, glass, wood, metal, stone or thatch then get involved. TV production company Ricochet would love to talk to you as they are looking for people to take part in an immersive and intensive course with mentoring from some of the UK’s top craftsmen and women.
If you are keen to find our more, contact: mastercrafts@ricochet.co.uk or
June 24, 2009 by amucklow
Despite today’s difficult economic circumstances, the world is still looking for really refreshing designs.
You are required to design a product in plastics suitable for mass production that clearly demonstrates creativity and value for money in a REFRESHING way.
The Brief
Selecting from the wide range of polymeric materials generally available, you are asked to create a product that addresses economic and environmental concerns yet is innovative and REFRESHING.
Your design might be a novel solution to an existing problem, saving overall lifetime costs, or a modification of a current product targeted at a new market, allowing an item to be rejuvenated rather than discarded. It might also exploit emerging technologies that deliver positive changes in energy efficiency compared to similar present-day products.
Sustainability guidelines of reducing, reusing and recycling will be important as will overall economic and social considerations. Above all, your design should shout creativity!
The entries most likely to be selected will display an approach that effectively exploits the intrinsic properties of the materials and manufacturing methods selected while showing real evidence of total cost control, environmental awareness and originality.
June 23, 2009 by amucklow
Oxfam have launched a fun new competition click here for more details.
by amucklow
EFF Spotlight on Sourcing event will take place tonight at Rich Mix on Bethnal Green Road, London. Tonight it is all about Certification and Standards.
The Speakers will be:
The Chair: David Loyn, BBC Developing Country Correspondent – Loyn has been a reporter for the BBC for over 20 years. He has acted as BBC’s Moscow and South Asia correspondent. David currently focuses on international development as the BBC’s developing world correspondence and continues to report from conflict zones.
Carol Wills, World Fair Trade Organization -Wills is an Honorary Member of World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), and has been Executive Director of WFTO and Head of Oxfam’s “Bridge” Fair Trade Programme. She has worked extensively across Asia, Africa and Latin America and advises international, regional and national organisations on quality management, standards compliance, strategic planning, impact assessment, monitoring and audit.
Allanna McAspurn, Made-By – McAspurn is the UK General Manager for Made-By, an independent labelling organisation which works with fashion brands to improve the social and environmental sustainability of their supply chains.Allanna has extensive experience in the Ethical Fashion sector in the UK and Europe and specialises in sustainable business and sourcing strategies for fashion.
Lee Holdstock, Soil Association – Holdstock is the senior certification officer and organic textile expert at Soil Association Certification. Soil Association independently provide organic certification servicesand advisory support on all aspects of organic certification and is one of ten approved organic certification bodies in the UK.
Vanessa Parr, Fairtrade Foundation – Parr is the Foundation’s business development officer for non-food products. Products carrying the Fairtrade label are increasing and can be found at many retailers such as; Tesco, Topshop, Sainsburys, Asda and Debenhams.
June 17, 2009 by amucklow
Yummy - all local too
So the third week of Sustainability Month is here and this week is Eat Local Week.
Here is what I managed to find in Waitrose. No apples, no carrots even but cheese was plentiful. Once you actually read the packaging it is surprising what you find. Lots of the ‘local’ food has a very small, tiny disclaimer stating that not all ingredients are from the UK, some might even be from outside the EU. This was especially noticable on the soups.
There was soup – all seasonal veg. Strawberries from Sussex and tomatoes from Kent, crisps from Herefordshire… but all the packaging will prove to be a struggle next week – No Rubbish Week.
