enviroarts's Blog

Ohio is filled with exciting travel experiences, and we have the perfect
place for you to share that excitement...through DISCOVER OHIO!

Here you've found the place to discover Ohio. Here you'll uncover a wide
array of events, attractions, and activities relating to Peace, ICEAlity
and the Environmental Arts in local towns and cities that you are sure
to make your time spent in Ohio unforgettable.

Just click on one of the links to take a look around.

Discover the Art and Culture of Peace in Ohio at the WCPM: 
  http://consumer.discoverohio.com/searchdetails.as
px?detail=66938

And don't forget to tell your friends and family. We know they'll want
to see and hear all about Peace Action happening here in Ohio.

Ohio Department of Development,
Division of Tourism,
DISCOVER OHIO,
Ted Strickland, Governor.
Lee Fisher, Lt. Governor.

Worlds Children Peace Monument (WCPM) main page:
http://www.wcpm.info

Worlds Children Peace Interactive Site:
http://wcpm.multiply.com/

Worlds Children 2009 Peace Day Petition:
SIGN HERE:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/WCPM

NOW SPREAD THE WORD

Ark in Berea: Expressing concern over the extremely fragile humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca commented:  "The living standards in Gaza are at levels unacceptable to a world that promotes the elimination of poverty and the observance of human rights as core principles for building a sustainable Culture of Peace. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) needs to deal with the Israely blockade and allow the entry of the minium commercial humanitarian supplies required to meet the total humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza".

KOLORS Magazine:  
Zenon Domanski, Editor Publisher
 PO BOX 27213, Cleveland, Ohio 44127
216-641-0229 
zdomanski@activeicon.com

Take a look at MIT student Star Simpson's "art bomb"

Like it? 

We don't.

In American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca Official ruling, it's not real art and Simpson isn't an artist and this is an embarressment to professional artists everywhere....

It's a crime and she's a menace to society. Trotting around wearing her "art bomb" at Logan Airport was stunningly irresponsible, incredibly reckless, and amazingly stupid.

BOSTON -- An MIT student wearing what turned out to be a fake bomb was arrested at gunpoint Friday at Logan International Airport and later claimed it was artwork, officials said.

Star Simpson, 19, had a computer circuit board and wiring in plain view over a black hooded sweat shirt she was wearing, said State Police Maj. Scott Pare, the commanding officer at the airport.

"She said that it was a piece of art and she wanted to stand out on career day," Pare said at a news conference. "She claims that it was just art, and that she was proud of the art and she wanted to display it."

Simpson was charged with disturbing the peace and possessing a hoax device, and was to be arraigned in East Boston District Court later Friday.

"I'm shocked and appalled that somebody would wear this type of device to an airport," Pare said.

Simpson was "extremely lucky she followed the instructions or deadly force would have been used," Pare said. "She's lucky to be in a cell as opposed to the morgue."

...The battery-powered rectangular device had nine flashing lights, Pare said. Simpson also had Play-Doh in her hands, he said.

The phrases "Socket to me" and "Course VI" were written on the back of sweat shirt, which authorities displayed to the media. Course VI appears to be a reference to MIT's major of electrical engineering and computer science.

FOR ALL ART STUDENTS EVERYWHERE, LEARN FROM THIS IMPOSTER.........

FAKE ART BOMBS ARE NOT ART - they have no aesthetic value.

FAKE ART BOMBS ARE NOT ADVERTISEMENTS - they have no commercial value.

FAKE ART BOMBS ARE NOT PUBLICITY STUNTS - They are a tool of real terrorists .

Instead of wearing a fake bomb at Logan International Airport, source of the hijacked planes used by Islamic extremists to destroy the World Trade Center, Simpson should have showed up at Columbia University next Monday.

She could proudly display her little art project when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is welcomed to the campus by Columbia University president Lee Bollinger (212-854-9970) to deliver his speech at the World Leader's Forum.

Let her "perform her art" there, not at an airport.

Let her show off where terrorists and IEDs are really appreciated.

..."She was immediately told to stop, to raise her hands and not to make any movement, so we could observe all her movements to see if she was trying to trip any type of device," Pare said. "Had she not followed the protocol, we might have used deadly force."

Pare said Simpson took a subway to the airport, but he was not sure if she had the device on at that time.

She told authorities she was at the airport to greet someone arriving on a flight from Oakland. Authorities verified information as to the name of the passenger she was greeting, and said he had already left the airport.

"She did seem a bit upset that she was in custody. However, she was rational, and she did answer all questions as required," Pare said.

Simpson was upset?

TOO BAD.

But not as upset as she would HAVE BEEN be if the police had AD LIBBED their IMPROMTU  ACTION  on her PERFORMACE ART and actually shot her (dead) with real bullets in the FINAL ACT of her PLAY. 

Star Simpson is now a "star cadidate" for WGAR''s Lannigan and Malone's - Knuckle Heads in the News

http://community.myfoxcleveland.com/blogs/enviroar
ts/2007/09/21/Peace_Day_September2

INFO:
www.BereaBuzz.com

 

 

 

The International Day of Peace
Peace Day - September 21
A worldwide movement to create
a Global Ceasefire and nonviolent
A day of Global Culture of Peace.

By David and Renate Jakupca,
American Cultural Ambassadors and Peace Ambassadors
International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)

 

Dear Members of ICEA and Colleagues and Friends in Peace,
The International Day of Peace, established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly, was first inaugurated on the third Tuesday of September, 1982. Beginning on the 20th anniversary in 2002, the UN General Assembly set 21 September as the now permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

ICEALITY of BEING HUMAN
Human beings are special, unlike any other kind of animal. What make them special is their learning, training and development in ICEAlity. Human beings who have been trained, educated or developed are called “enlightened beings”. They know how to conduct a good life for themselves and also help their society fare securely in peace and happiness.

To be truly involved in this education, human beings, especially children and young people, who are new members of the human race should acquire the six fundamental qualities of ICEAlity for a good life, or the virtues of education. These are guarantees of a life moving toward a full sustainable human development, to peoples becoming truly enlightened in a Global Culture of Peace. They are:

1.
Having a “good friend” (a person of social environment that is helpful to ones life development) , seeking out sources of wisdom and good examples. This is to live with or be close to good people, beginning with one’s parents as good friends in the family; to know who to associate with and to socialize with good people will influence and encourage each other to betterment in conduct, mentally and wisdom.
It is especially (that association which encourages one to) learn and develop communication and relations with fellow human beings through goodwill, to have the fait to follow good examples, and to know how to utilize external resources, be they people, books, or other communications media, for seeking knowledge and virtue for one’s life development, problem solving and constructive action.

2.
Virtue of morality, or having discipline as root for one’s life development. This is to know how to organize life-style, activities, work, and environment so that they provide opportunities for personal growth, at least to have a basic level of morality. That is. To have proper conduct in one’s relationship with the social environment by living helpfully and not exploitatively with one’s fellow human beings, and in one’s relationship with the material environment by using the four necessities, as food, clothing, shelter and medicine) as well as technological appliances and equipment in a way that supports the quality of one’s life and is favorable to one’s education, to constructive action and to the state of balance in nature.

3.
Virtue of aspiration: having a heart that aspires to learning and constrictive action. This is to be one who is driven by desire for knowledge, goodness, action, constructiveness, achievement and excellence, by the desire to help all the things and people one meets or is involved with to attain a good state, not obsessively thinking only of getting what one wants and seeking pleasure through consuming. Instead, one knows how to use one’s faculties, such as the eyes and ears, in learning and creating, especially through the environmental arts, to derive joy from doing good things, by using one’s brain and hands for constructive ends.

4.
Dedicating of oneself through ICEAlity: dedicating oneself to training for the realization of one’s full human potential. This is to always bear in mind the truth that human beings by nature are beings that can be trained, and must be trained, and that once trained are the most excellent of beings. Then to resolve to train oneself so that one views and develop one’s intelligence and abilities, to pay heed to ones continuing improvement toward the realization of one’s full potential through a comprehensive development that encompasses behavior, mentality and wisdom. 

5.
Virtue of Understanding: Adhering to the principle of conditionally seeing things according to cause and effect. This is to be established in good and reasoned principles of thought and belief. A principle leading to consideration believing that action is the most powerful determinant of one’s fate, it is also having behavior and mental states that are under the control of reason; even though one aspires to the highest achievement and excellence, one realizes what is possible with the limitations of the causes and conditions that exist and that one has created; in success, one does not forget oneself, and in failure, one is not despondent, one maintains one’s mental clarity and independence, not being impulsive, over reactive or petty, and also not allowing oneself to drift along the stream of public hysteria or false values.

6.
Virtue of Wise Reflection: thinking wisely so as to realize benefit and see the truth. This is to know how to think, to know how to investigate, to be able to see all things as they really are within the system of causes and conditions, by intelligently examining, investigating, tracing, analyzing and researching to see the truth of a given situation, or to see the perspective that will enable one to benefit from it. By doing one is also able to solve problems and do things successfully through intelligent methods that allow one to be self-reliant and at the same time become a refuge to other people.

The ideal person, or perfect human being, can be counted as a truly valuable member of the human race, and can be called a complete person, able to lead his or hers community and society into a Culture of Peace and well being.

PEACE Friends -
   David and Renate Jakupca

The Worlds Children Peace Monument
WCPM is located at Coe Lake Park in Berea, Ohio It was designed and built by David Jakupca as a project of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in cooperation with the United Nations Culture of Peace Program. As new WCPM Stones are added to gardens around the world, it will, in time, become the largest monument dedicated to Global Peace. The sculpture serves as a milestone for the ICEAlity of the Environmental Art Movement indigenous to the Great Cleveland Area, that is to "Assist in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts to build a sustainable culture of Peace". The WCPM was officially inaugurated in 2003 at the 3rd World Peace Conference held in Verbania, Italy by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca where they received an Italian Medal of Arts. They were also recognized by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and in 2006 appointed Universal Peace Ambassadors. The WCPM is organized in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millenium Development Goals.

 

Websites
Please go to the following websites to learn the history and see what  you can do to be part of this unique global moment:
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org<
/a>
http://www.cultureofpeace.org
http://www.bereabuzz.com
http://www.TheICEA.Org

 

 

Autumn Décor Design Tips:

 

Unique Ideas on How Art Can Spruce Up Your Home This Fall

 

 

 With summer days about to fade into fall, and outdoor living slowly heading indoors, now is the perfect time to liven up the dwelling you love to call home and prepare for some good cocooning time.  Besides the cool, crisp air and invigorating ‘sweater weather’ the fall provides us each year, the colors of crimson, burnt orange, green, earthy brown and golden yellow are absolutely vibrant and can be brought indoors in a big way.

 

 

With more time being spent indoors as fall glides in, it’s the perfect time to refresh our homes and liven up our walls in a way that mixes majestic colors with breathtaking landscapes and fall scenes.  Many times, finding just the right art can breathe life into a room that may have become hum-drum and stale over the years.   American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA), headquartered in the ARK in BEREA, offers some great decorating tips for the fall:

 

 

Ø      Don’t go small:  One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when selecting art is going ‘too small,’ which can make a piece appear dwarfed.  You’ve heard the term ‘bigger is better.’  In this case, it’s right on the money.  Imagine what a bold piece of art can do for an entire room.  What’s great about ICEA pieces is that you can obtain an art selection on canvas up to 54” x 102”, even if the original is much smaller.

 

 

Ø      Don’t shy away from color:  The trends in color this fall are bold, rich colors like mustard, reds and spicy oranges mixed with browns.  Find a landscape scene that incorporates these colors and pick great accent pieces in chartreuse, red and yellow to play up the bold colors in your art.  This can instantly breathe new life into a room.

 

 

Ø      Consider the right lighting for your art:  Draw attention to a favorite piece of art with an accent light that plays up the bold fall colors.

 

 

Ø      Cocoon with color:  As you begin spending more time inside, inspire your indoor spaces with art that’s cheerful and colorful.  All types of art, including abstract images, will warm up your décor if they contain the earthy, autumn tones you see when you look outside your window.

 

 

Ø      Groupings are back:  In the 70s, wall groupings were prevalent in homes across the country, and the trend is making its way back.  Freshen up your home this fall by hanging a matched set in a structured arrangement or mix and match your favorite pieces in a random configuration.

 

 

Ø      Transform a room with a few simple changes:  Purchase a new piece of art for a primary spot, such as the space over a fireplace or sofa.  Buy a couple of new pillows that complement the colors in the art, and suddenly your whole room looks new.

 

 

Ø      Consider season art changes if you’re running out of space:  When you love art, it’s easy to quickly fill every wall!  Why not consider season changes for key areas in your home?  If you currently have a painting of zesty sunflowers in a basket on a particular wall, consider purchasing an autumn landscape to use in that same position for half the year.  It keeps your home décor fresh and forever up-to-date.

 

 

Ø      Change wall colors for a dramatic affect:  Have you ever noticed how many art galleries and museums change wall colors depending on the art that’s on display?  If your home and furnishings are neutral, consider painting one accent wall in a room with a different color, based on an interesting color within a favorite painting that hangs on that wall.   The right color background will make your art come to life. 

 

 

If an ‘art makeover’ is part of your fall décor design plan, you’ll want to visit www.TheICEA.Org to view a collection of local images by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca -- with a healthy collection of fall-inspired works, including landscapes and color-rich abstracts.

www.bereabuzz.com  

  

Something to add to the New Cleveland School Uniform - bullet proof backpacks!!

A pair of Boston fathers have created a new backpack with a secret and it's not an heavy duty zipper or weight-distribution strapping. The bags are lined with a bullet-proof material intended to protect students during school shootings and save lives.

"If the kid has a backpack next to them, or under the desk, they can pick it up, the straps act as a handle and it becomes a shield," says Joe Curran, co-creator of the bag.

Infomercial for the backpacks:   http://youtube.com/watch?v=QG8-iHU4Bg8>

I found the YouTube infomercial for the backpacks way, way over the top in the fear-mongering department. (Also? Using Neil Young's "Ohio" to sell backpacks should be illegal.)

(The bags cost $175 a piece but if the School System buys them bulk,  the price including the Cuyahoga County Sales Tax discount should be a little over $250 each) 

Personally, I'd rather donate that money for toward more counselors at the school to help deal with troubled kids before they got to the shooting spree point.

What do you think: Great Idea or great way to prey on the fears (and pocketbooks) of parents?

BY THE WAY:

 
Making the Sante Fe Peace Stone
www.TheICEA.Org 
The Worlds Children Peace Monument

WCPM is located at Coe Lake Park in Berea, Ohio It was designed and built by David Jakupca as a project of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in cooperation with the United Nations Culture of Peace Program. As new WCPM Stones are added to gardens around the world, it will, in time, become the largest monument dedicated to Global Peace. The sculpture serves as a milestone for the ICEAlity of the Environmental Art Movement indigenous to the Great Cleveland Area, that is to "Assist in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts to build a sustainable culture of Peace". The WCPM was officially inaugurated in 2003 at the 3rd World Peace Conference held in Verbania, Italy by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca where they received an Italian Medal of Arts. They were also recognized by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and in 2006 appointed Universal Peace Ambassadors. The WCPM is organized in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millenium Development Goals.
www.bereabuzz.com  

Common flame retardants meant to keep families safe from fire
may be contributing to a rash of thyroid disease in household cats, US
researchers said on Wednesday.


They said polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs -- used in
televisions, carpeting, furniture and mattresses -- were found in
especially high levels in cats with hyperthyroidism, one of the most
common and deadly diseases in older cats.
"We definitely found evidence that cats are being exposed to these
compounds based on the level of compounds in their blood," said Janice
Dye, a researcher with the US Environmental Protection Agency, whose
study appears in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Dye and colleagues now believe the chemicals may be linked with this
common disease in cats.

Although hyperthyroidism was a relatively rare disease 35 years ago, it
has become a leading cause of death among US pet cats. Symptoms include
weight loss despite increased appetite, hair loss and irritability.

Dye, a veterinarian, tied a spike in this disease to the introduction of
PBDEs into homes as a flame retardant about 30 years ago. "The increased
use of these chemicals tracked the increased recognition of this
syndrome in kitties," Dye said.

She believes dust from the chemicals may be ingested by cats as they
groom themselves.

"Cats are in this perfect position to be near the products these
chemicals were put in to reduce flammability. They're in our homes.
They're sleeping on our mattresses and furniture," she said.

She and colleagues analyzed blood serum levels of 23 cats, 11 of which
had hyperthyroidism. They found cats had 20 to 100 times higher PBDE
levels than the average U.S human adult.

PBDEs were detected in all the cats studied, but the highest levels of
exposure were found in the cats with hyperthyroidism, she said. "We
haven't proven it yet," but it should be studied.

The researchers said there is no evidence to link human thyroid disease
with PBDEs. "If this truly is linked, we should look more closely in
people as well," Dye said.

Dye said of the three main types of the chemicals, two forms have been
banned and a third may be banned shortly. But because the products are
used on items such as mattresses, it may take some time for them to be
completely removed from the home, she said. Story by Julie Steenhuysen

Source: 
http://lists.topica.com/lists/bereabuzz
www.TheICEA.Org

 

  The new Ohio Public Smoking Ban may be contributing to global warming through the increased use of commercial patio heaters in bars and restaurants around Ohio as owners look for other means to attract new customers. "Smokers are choosing the establishments with outdoor seating arrangements and where there is a patio heater," David Jakupca of the International Center for Environmental Arts said. Patio Heaters, accused of contributing to global warming through their carbon dioxide emissions, is set to double in Ohio in the coming year. 
ICEA is an independent non-profit organization with the aim of using ICEAlity, the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts to ultimately promote an effective sustainable global Culture of Peace. With the EPA aim of controlling global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions,  commercial and domestic ownership of the heaters could rise from 1.5 million to 2.5 million. The average heater used the same amount of energy as a gas stove uses in six months, and emitted 110lbs of carbon dioxide gas (CO2).  2.5 million heaters would emit the same amount of CO2 as driving from Cleveland to Cincinnati 200,000 times.
"Why don't people just wear a sweater," said Renate Jakupca, ICEA's chief executive officer. Source:  www.TheICEA.Org
www.BereaBuzz.com

There will be a Press Conference/Photo Opportunity and Bon Voyage Reception for the delegation leaving to install the Sante Fe, New Mexico Peace Stone of the Worlds Children Peace Monument (WCPM) on Wednesday, May 9th 2007 from 3 PM to 6 PM at
NUEVO ACAPULCO RISTORANTE, 804 Front St. Berea, Ohio. (Tel-440-234-2500)

In Sante Fe New Mexico, on Wednesday May 16th, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Sante Fe Mayor David Coss will accept The Sante Fe Peace Stone at the reception the City is having for the 2007 World Peace Conference.

This event is free and open to the public. 

2007 World Peace Conference

Join the worldwide movement to create a Global Day of Peace & Nonviolence in our homes, our communities and between nations on May 16-17. The World Peace Conference will be a focal point for community-uniting and peace-inspiring events. Together we can create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world, one heart, one family, one community at a time.

We are delighted to announce that Jody Williams, winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, has agreed to be a keynote speaker at the 2007 Peace Conference. Arun Gandi, grandson of Mahatma Gandi, will speak at the Peace Conference. Also, Universal Peace Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca will commerate the Peace Garden at the Sante Fe Childrens Museum with the Sante Fe Stone of the Worlds Children Peace Monument (WCPM).  
www.worldpeaceconference.org
www.santefechildrensmuseum.org

   

 
Sante Fe Peace Stone

www.TheICEA.Org

The Worlds Children Peace Monument

WCPM is located at Coe Lake Park in Berea, Ohio It was designed and built by David Jakupca as a project of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in cooperation with the United Nations Culture of Peace Program. As new WCPM Stones are added to gardens around the world, it will, in time, become the largest monument dedicated to Global Peace. The sculpture serves as a milestone for the ICEAlity of the Environmental Art Movement indigenous to the Great Cleveland Area, that is to "Assist in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts to build a sustainable culture of Peace". The WCPM was officially inaugurated in 2003 at the 3rd World Peace Conference held in Verbania, Italy by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca where they received an Italian Medal of Arts. They were also recognized by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and in 2006 appointed Universal Peace Ambassadors. The WCPM is organized in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millenium Development Goals.

 

Councilman Joe Santiago, Universal Peace Ambassador Renate, Sister Alicia

Bon Voyage Party for Delegation to World Peace Conference

1987 to 2007- ICEA Celebrating Twenty Years of Community Service

"Assisting in understanding of the relationship between Humans and
their Environment through the Arts"

International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)

P. O. Box 81496
Cleveland, Ohio 44181 USA
Phone/fax: 440-891-8376
Email: ICEA2000@sbcglobal.net
www.TheICEA.Org
www.myspace.com/jakupca

   

 

The worst peacetime gun massacre in American history has moved leaders in Europe and elsewhere to share their sympathy.

 
Monday's massacre at Virginia Tech university that left 33 people dead has drawn expressions of alarm and sympathy from leaders around the world, including Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who rarely comments on current affairs.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said late Monday evening that the Queen was "shocked and saddened" at the slaughter, which ranks as the worst school shooting in US history. German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave her formal sympathies to US President George W. Bush, and a statement from French President Jacques Chirac's office in Paris relayed his "horror and consternation" and "his most saddened condolence and his complete solidarity" with the American people.

In Sweden, civilians can only get firearm permits if they have a hunting license or are members of a shooting club approved by authorities and have no history of violent crime.

From Cleveland, Ohio, American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca said "What exactly triggered the massacre in Virginia is unclear but the fundamental reason for this type of violense is often the perpetrator's deep psychological problems. We would like to express our profound sadness at what has happened and to send the families of the victims, our sympathy and our prayers," Renate said.

The leaders of two major German political parties, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), also expressed horror. Maria Roth, Editor of the GERMANIA Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio said though Virginia Tech victims included foreign students and staff, she hopes this does not deter foreign students from studying in the United States.

Edmund Stoiber, head of the CSU, which is the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats, said the massacre "was beyond human comprehension," while Kurt Beck, head of the SPD, said he'd absorbed the news "with deep sadness." Beck added that while no one could wholly prevent such a thing from happening, greater gun control could "limit ... the level of armament" in US society.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard also gave his sympathies to the families of the dead on Tuesday. He went on to suggest that the "gun culture" in America had to change. He referred to an Australian massacre in 1996 by a man with a semi-automatic rifle who killed 35 people in Port Arthur on the island of Tasmania. At the time, Howard confronted Australia's gun lobby and banned almost all types of semi-automatic weapons. 

The massacre at Virginia Tech occurred in spite of a campus-wide ban on firearms. The British newspaper The Times pointed out that a recent spate of London gun and knife violence had occurred in spite of "draconian" anti-weapons laws in the UK, a view echoed by other observers. A spokewoman for the White House said on Monday, "The President believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed. 

www.germaniacleveland.com 
www.OhioGABA.com

 

 

Knut The Polar Bear Cub's Life in German Zoo's Hand 

   
  
March 22, 2007  People from around the world joined the BERLIN Zoo and rallied to the defence of Knut, a three-month-old polar bear cub, on Tuesday, rejecting demands that the animal be allowed to die after being abandoned by its mother. 

The fate of "cuddly Knut" has gripped the German capital since his birth in December. Rejected by his mother Tosca, the cub was adopted by a zookeeper who moved into the animal's enclosure to care for him round the clock.
Some animal rights campaigners think this will humanise the bear too much and want the zoo to stop saving young animals.
"Hand-rearing a polar bear is not appropriate and is a serious violation of animal rights," Bild newspaper quoted animal rights campaigner Frank Albrecht as saying.
"In fact, the cub should have been killed," he added.
BERLIN ZOO said the animal would not be put down or left to fend for itself: "That's complete nonsense," a spokesman said.
Knut has become an unofficial Berlin city mascot and has even had his picture taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz as part of a new German climate change campaign initiated from EXPO2000, The Worlds Fair held in Hanover Germany and brought to the U.S.  by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca of Cleveland, Ohio.
"The two factions need to join up and make a clear statement in Berlin on Knut's behalf." said Maria Roth, editor of the Germania Newspaper, "That this is not just about the life of one cub but about all of us that need this planet to survive and Live"
Knut's mother Tosca -- formerly a performing animal in an East German zoo -- rejected Knut and his twin brother shortly after their birth. The twin died but Knut was "adopted" by zookeeper Thomas Doerflein.
The polar bear is bottle-fed, washed and cuddled by his adoptive father, who moved in to the zoo to sleep in a bed by the bear s crate. Newspapers report that Doerflein also plays him Elvis songs on the guitar and gave him Christmas presents. 

Can Cleveland Zoo Get Their Teeth into Chistmas Tree Leftovers


The Germans have found a novel way of recycling thousands of used and unsold Christmas trees: give them to the local zoo to feed to the animals.

"Elephants around the country will enjoy a delicious lunch today consisting of about five Christmas trees each," Berlin Zoo spokesman Ragnar Kuehne told Reuters on Thursday.
Camels, deer and sheep would also be dining on the leftover trees, which could aid digestion because of the essential oils they contained, he added.

At the start of the UN Convention on The Rights of The Child to be held in Geneva this December 25, 2006 Thailand's social workers are bracing for the influx of child sex workers who will flood the streets of Bangkok and neon-lights of Pattaya during the coming year-end holiday season, according to latest news reports.

Social workers, unable to turn the tide, have been lamenting the sharp increase in the number of sex tourists and child prostitution in Pattaya in recent years.

Under the pretext of selling flowers and sweets to western tourists, some children as young as seven end up selling their bodies, said Sudjai Nakphain, who works on a social project for children in Pattaya.

"To entice their customers, the children will use sexual tactics, including holding a customer's arms or legs," added Nakphain.

Social workers claim there are now over 20,000 bars in Pattaya, compared to 500 a decade ago. "They are mostly sidewalk bars with a few stools and scantily-clad, overly made-up girls, many as young as 14."

Supagon Noja from the Pattaya-based Child Protection and Development Center told Reuters, Pattaya has attracted children from all over the country, both voluntarily and those lured by child traffickers.

"Word of mouth from children in the industry will always lure new faces to Pattaya," he said. "Some children as young as ten are earning up to US$300 per night having sex with foreign sex tourists, more than a college educated civil servant earns in a month working in Thailand."

The international organization ECPAT, (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) guess-timates the number of straight cases outnumbering the gay cases by a large margin, so should the average innocent gay traveler be concerned about being unfairly scrutinized by governmental or watchdog organizations?

Joe Mettimano, Director of the Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project of World Vision (a faith-based humanitarian organization that works with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's to identify potential predators overseas) says, “Most of these pedophiles are not gay. They are heterosexual family men with wives and kids.” Although the non-secular World Vision partners with ICE in providing information culled at the community level to law enforcement officers, Mettimano emphasizes that investigation and proof of guilt lies solely within the realm of secular authority. “The US government requires hard proof,” he says. “The last thing they need to be doing is chasing ghosts.”

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's “Operation Predator” is a Bush administration governmental initiative enacted in 2003, aimed at those who prey on and exploit children-including international sex tourists. Legislation under the “PROTECT Act” (also passed in 2003) makes it easier for US nationals to be prosecuted for travel abroad for sex with minors, anywhere in the world. Since July 2004, thirteen offenders have been arrested under the act.

But still, social workers in Thailand have described Pattaya is now a 'pedophile paradise' where 'anything goes' for its sex industry workers.

American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca says, "The message should be clear, traveling overseas to have sex with a minor is a crime". And it is a crime that is increasing being looked into. This past fall, UNICEF called a press conference at which a new travel industry “Code of Conduct” (initially developed by ECPAT) was announced. It calls for travel agencies to make their clients aware of the issue and to refuse collaboration with any overseas operator who willingly participates in the sexual exploitation of minors.

Although most tour operators are still only marginally aware of this new initiative, IGLTA's D'Alessandro believes it is an important one. “I think it only does good to have a Code of Conduct in this area. I applaud it.”

“I am thrilled to see this long-suppressed issue get more attention,” says Renate Jakupca. “One of The International Center for Environmental Arts(ICEA)core rules in all regards, is to treat the cultures and the peoples of all countries with respect.”

How can travelers protect themselves from unwittingly using the services of an agent or operator that participates in child sex exploitation? “Ask the hard questions,” says Mettimano. “Ask them point blank, “Is your company involved in facilitating sex tours? Self-education on the part of travelers themselves is key.”

A Pattaya business owner, Sopin Thappajug, concerned over Pattaya's seedy image, is trying to turn it into a 'family-friendly destination' by luring her customers with bands and large TV screens showing sport programs, instead of go-go dancers.

Said Sopin, "I know we can't stop them from doing what they want to do here, but at least we try. Even if we don't succeed, who else will?" Pris Reagan

Cleveland, Ohio Dec 9: American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca and other members of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) celebrate the United Nations 2006 Human Rights Day by profiling dancers in Islamabad,Pakistan.

No one could have depicted violence against women so vividly as did the famed Kathak dancer and social activist Sheema Kirmani in a dance featuring Fehmida Riaz's poem Ao ae hum vatano raqs karo raqs karo (Let us dance) at the National Library on Friday evening.

The show was jointly hosted by the United Nations, the Oxfam, the Interagency Gender and Development Programme (INGAD), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to celebrate the UN Human Rights Day. This year's theme is "Fighting Poverty — a matter of obligation, not charity".

The focus of the dance and the tableau presentation by children was on poverty and violence against women. Sheema Kirmani realistically dramatised the oppression of women in our society. Her white Moghul costume from the 16th century and a sharp musical cry Oh God, please don't create me in the shape of woman brilliantly illustrated the theme.

The artists presented many dance scenes and music, each depicting different forms of violence against women, and the cloistered feeling diminishing their creative potential. But in the last scene the woman was dancing with joy because the society supported her cause and voiced for her well being.

"Woman finds joy when the poor of the earth joins her dance to support her creative excellence", said Sheema. Earlier, the Grammar School, Rawalpindi campus students presented a tableau based on two poems by the legendary great Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Mati se utho mere lal (Rise from the dust, my child), and Yeh haath salamat hain jab taak.

The children depicted Faiz's invocation to the poor people to break away the shackles of poverty and struggle against fear and deprivation and for freedom.

As it is, the great poet cries out in his poetry seeking power for the poor and to proclaim that God wished justice and equality from a warped world that denies fundamental freedom to the downtrodden.


The audience lent a good hand for the small children who had acted out the poet's philosophy so well with outstretched hands trying to grasp the feeling of liberty.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afghan Khan Niazi, gave away prizes to eight children for winning the essay competition sponsored by the UN Information Centre.

The first prize was won by Rahila Mumtaz of the Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-6/2; second prize went to Sadaf Jamil of the Federal Government Margalla College for Women, F-7/4 and the third prize was bagged by Ahmad Mursaleen of the Islamabad Model College for Boys G-10/4. Majid Yaqub, Reema Hafeez, Zile Huma, Shamil Ibrar, and Nimra Sultan received consolation prizes.

Speaking on the occasion the minister said that one of the best ways of reducing poverty was to abandon the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.

"Every one should be treated as equal in the world and if the super powers were sincere in eradicating poverty they must get down to distributing plenty to the poor people of the world.

The minister also exhorted men to respect the women.

A panel of judges — Zafar Abbas, Dr Nazir Husain, and Tetsuo Maximilian Ohno, UN Information Centre Director — screened the essays and announced the names of the prize winners.

Oxfam's country director Farhana Faruqui-Stocker opened the proceedings stressing that proper dignity should be shown to the women.

Ms Najma Saihgal also spoke on behalf of her organization, the INGAD.—Jonaid Iqbal

PPI adds: Students from the schools and colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated in the essay contest under this year's theme.

A large number of entries were received from 16 schools and colleges, which represented high quality of works by students.

The Interagency Gender and Development Group is composed of 30 bilateral and multilateral donor agencies working on gender issues in Pakistan.

The INGAD supports the efforts of the government to mainstream gender in policies and programmes at both federal and local levels. It also networks with NGOs, civil society, research organisations and gender advocacy groups to share best practices in addressing gender disparity.
http://www.myspace.com/jakupca