National Ledger – Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in The Tourist?

While everyone in the movie business, particularly associated with The Tourist, is likely crossing fingers and toes that this pans out, I’m not so sure I agree.

I know, I’m probably in the minority but I just don’t like Angelina Jolie as an actress. She’s boring. I’ve seen Beyond Borders, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Changeling. I know that’s only three of her many movies, but why would I watch more if I find her boring?

What’s interesting is this. In all three movies, I absolutely loved her male co-stars, or two of them. Beyond Borders was one of the best Clive Owen films I’ve seen. Brad Pitt didn’t bother me nearly as much as usual. And even the villain of Changeling, Jeffrey Donovan, was a saving grace.

Which all bodes well, of course, if Johnny Depp does happen to be in The Tourist. The plot sounds interesting and I watch nearly, yes nearly, everything that Depp does.

So, all in all, I am intrigued and interested though not necessarily excited by the prospects.

By Forest Picher

I was reading through the news online as I often do when I have nothing “better” to do, when I stumbled on a story that grabbed my attention. With clenched fists I read that it seems the Americans have been discretely hinting and even asking bluntly for more Canadian troops in Afghanistan, despite our statements of pulling out in 2011.

I personally see this as a total déjà-vu of when the conflict originally began in the Middle East. The United States, with the war on their hands, decided that a coalition effort was needed and began the bullying of other countries to get more and more implicated in the war. Canada, being just one of the 42 countries involved, enters as a sheer result of our “brotherly bond” with the Americans, but this time our bond has gotten us in too deep. The United States is no longer that role model of a brother that it used to be; it has now become the problem-causing, out-of-control teenager who insists on involving everyone else in their struggle… misery LOVES company.

So when the time comes to withdraw and the Americans try to bully us back into the conflict, where will we be? I think rather than sitting in the fetal position in the corner of the room sobbing dramatically into our arms screaming “YES, WE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU”… we should be taking a stand for what we know is right, moral and best fitting for the Canadian population to whom the government is responsible and not the Americans who seem to control it.

… or a social revolution rather.

Beyond Borders is a space where young people can express themselves and work on development issues they are passionate and concerned about. We are entirely youth-led, youth-run and run by a core group of volunteers.

Our three themes – Identity, Diversity and Active Global Citizenship – captures the spirit of Beyond Borders. What all this means exactly, is very personal. But for each of us in Beyond Borders it means something special and a vision for a society and world we’d like to live in. Beyond Borders provides a platform to work towards this vision and encourages other young people to come along.

from the BeyondBorders.lk website

So that’s who they are, what do they do?

Well a lot of things it seems, the most recent to my knowledge being the TEDx Colombo talks, and the forum theater performance Jerk?, both of which exceeded my expectations. If that doesn’t really tell you what their work is about, let me steal some more info from their site:

We like to think of ourselves as a development-focused civil society organization, not a charity. Our focus is on social and development issues and action aimed at bringing about long-term and sustainable change.

Being a youth organization we think our strength lies in working with other young people on peer-education initiatives, promoting causes we believe in and helping other civil society actors to help create a better country and a better world, one step at a time. At the moment we are focused on issues related to peace, governance and citizenship.

Okay, by now you should understand!

So if you want to make an impact on the society you live in, instead of bickering over a plain tea and a Gold Leaf, join the Beyond Borders team if you’re between the age of 18 and 24 (sorry, over that is just not young enough apparently, boo hoo oldies can’t change anything lu).

I think I might join, you should consider it too.

p.s. that was just a public service announcement, the blog is still shutting down, it will be open for a week after which it will be locked again. Sorry.

Beyond Borders, one of the leading youth-led, youth-run activist organizations in Sri Lanka, is conducting a recruitment drive as part of expanding their operations for 2009/2010. Beyond Borders is a space where young people can express themselves and work on development issues that they are passionate and concerned about. Beyond Borders is run entirely by a core group of volunteers.

Initiated as a networking project by British Council in 2005, it was later registered as a company in 2008. And since 2005, they have worked on a wide array of issues including HIV & AIDS, Media, Street Children, Peace and Governance, Poverty and Gender. Empowering and informing the youth through skill building and team activities such as training workshops and publication of training manuals.

The three themes – Identity, Diversity and Active Global Citizenship – capture the spirit of Beyond Borders. To each member of Beyond Borders these themes mean something different and special, it is a vision for a society and world they would like to live in and a change they would like make. Beyond Borders provides a platform to work towards this vision and encourage other young people to join and work together with them under these themes.

Beyond Borders is recognized as a key organization that reaches out to young people through new and alternate media such as the internet, blogs, and importantly Forum Theater (using drama to address social issues). The organization is described as a development-focused civil society organization, and not a charity, focusing on social and development issues and actions aimed at bringing about long-term and sustainable change.

If you would like to apply visit here and send in your applications to recruitments@beyondborders.lk. Before the 12th of September 2009. If your require more information e-mail us at info@beyondborders.lk

For more on ‘who we are’ and ‘what we do’, have a look  through our website or can find us on ‘Youtube’, ‘Flickr’, ‘Facebook’, ‘Twitter’ and also our blog. also have a look here

A Forum Theater Performance on Learning Disabilities

• Date: 29th August 2009
• Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
• Venue: Punchi Theatre, Borella

Entrance by invitation only

What is Forum Theatre?
Forum theater began when Augusto Boal had the brilliant idea of allowing the audience to stop, modify and change the course of his drama performances; enhancing the overall experience of everyone involved in a novel manner. Today, this particular branch of theatre is known as Forum Theater.

FT is useful in bringing out complex issues attached to sensitive social topics and has been used by Beyond Borders to highlight a range of social issues with great success.

What is ‘Jerk?’
This time around the Forum Theater tackles the tricky subject of the misconceptions and issues facing youngsters with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It takes you through the roller coaster ride of our protagonist Rajeev, as he copes with the effects of ADHD and society’s often antagonistic reactions to it. It will be exciting infotainment and learning.

So Beyond Borders is doing a Forum theater performance on the 29th of August. Come and check it out if you’ve got time!

FT is an audience interactive mode of theater that lets the people watching stop, modify and redirect the story. It is loads of fun. And if you are the type of sadistic person who likes to see actors suffer and try to bring to life scenarios inside your head then this is right up your dark, dimly lit alley. Although in some cases you may be asked to come on up to the stage to perform a certain critical role yourself.

JERK? focuses on ADHD, often a misunderstood condition in Sri Lanka. In fact, it is hardy known. Barely a thought is usually given to how sufferers cope up in a society that doesn’t even recognize what they are suffering from. To illustrate, JERK? takes you through the rollercoaster ride of Rajeev; disturbed, distracted, a teenage rebel cum mathematical genius. The issues will be discussed as the story develops, through the various twists and turns of the plot.

info stolen from The Whackster’s Lair

Turns out you need an invite, cause BB is run by a bunch of posh people like Dinidu, so drop a mail, or text or call one of these numbers; 0777 335 320, 0777 491 718. Invites are limited, so make a move quick!!!

You can find views, reviews etc of previous Beyond Borders Forum theater here. Do come and check it out. I don’t think this is something that’s done very often in Sri Lanka, so it’s something fresh, come come cooooome!

* Inspiring Sri Lanka’s Youth: TED X

* Recognising Leading Sri Lankan Social Entrepreneurs : The Ashoka Fellows

* Nandasiri Wanninayake on English and IT in border villages

* Peace in Practice:  Moving On in Welikande

Cheak out the track “Birds Eye View” by SoulStice produced by SBe. If you like what you hear, support and buy the ablum.

Download Below and Continue Reading to hear what UGHH had to say about the ablum.

Download: SoulStice – Birds Eye View Featuring Kev Brown

From UGHH:

Chicago emcee SoulStice pairs up with Belgian beatmaker, SBe to deliver this groundbreaking “international concept album.” The songs feature SoulStice alongside talented artists from around the world including the US, UK, Germany, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Mozambique, The Congo, and Canada. While the album seeks primarily to entertain, it also captures the thoughts and experiences of these artists and explores themes ranging from the war in Afghanistan and the refugee situation in Sudan to social issues like interracial marriage. “Beyond Borders” is a reminder that hip hop continues to be a mouthpiece for people who exist outside of the mainstream to make their voices heard throughout society and around the world.

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?=SoulStice-of-Wade-Waters-SBe-Haysoos-Kev-Brown-Oddisee-Supastition-Wordsmith-Zap-Mama-Beyond-Borders-Wandering-Soul-Records&UPC=WNSOUL011CD

From Twitter: "Placards very vibrant. Can see them well from the street."

Last week, I “live tweeted” an event for a client. It was a first for me but something I had wanted to try for quite awhile. Twitter is a new communication platform for this client and tweeting an event was a great way to introduce them to it.

Beyond Borders is a volunteer-driven, national NGO speaking out globally on the issue of child sexual exploitation. The organization is part of a network of NGOs affiliated with ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes).

Beauty retailer The Body Shop, has joined forces with ECPAT and the Somaly Mam Foundation to engage in a three-year campaign to stop sex trafficking of children and youth. Part of the campaign involves the launch of a new hand cream with a portion of sales going to ECPAT affiliates.

For Beyond Borders, this campaign will not only generate a new source of funds to carry out projects  benefiting victims of exploitation, it will also bring the organization unprecedented attention. As the result, Beyond Borders decided to invest in an entirely revamped website that was easy to navigate and that also incorporated social media (including Twitter) to further engage the community at large.

For most of the organization’s board members and volunteers, Twitter was an unfamiliar platform. Sure, most were aware of the hype around Twitter but they were unsure about how it works and how the organization could use it.

I made the case that Twitter would be a great way to connect with related NGOs as well as other stakeholders. It would also provide Beyond Borders volunteers (who span the country) with a quick and easy way to stay abreast of the organization’s news and activities.

Getting Twitter buy-in

With the majority of volunteers not using Twitter, the first order of business was to introduce the platform to them and to cultivate openness to using it. That was part of the rationale for putting a Twitter stream right on the website. Providing a “window” to recent posts on Twitter within a platform comfortable to everyone (the organization’s website) we were one step away from having them click on the link taking them directly to the Twitter profile.

The next challenge will be to post information that will be relevant to the Beyond Borders community. The launch of The Body Shop’s campaign was a perfect place to start.

Event tweeting increased motivation to use Twitter

As part of the launch of the campaign, the retailer hosted a rally in Toronto to provide information to that region’s staff members as well as to interested media. I attended the launch and agreed to “live tweet” the event. For Beyond Borders members unable to travel to Toronto for the launch, Twitter would be the next best thing to being there.

Using an iPhone and the Twitterrific application that allows you to tweet using a mobile device, I was able to upload several photo links and provide a running commentary of the event. By going to the Beyond Borders Twitter profile or its website, visitors could see images and read updates in real time.

The importance of this event to Beyond Borders as well as the novelty of being able to hear about it in real time was a great way to motivate people to try the platform. Volunteers who followed along gave the experience a positive review.

Many nonprofits/NGOs are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. It’s important, though, to do some thoughtful planning about how the organization will use the platform and to make sure that it is integrated with the organization’s larger communication plan. Creating a Twitter profile and posting updates to it does not mean everyone, including your volunteers/staff, will embrace it. As with other communication tools, the content has to be easy to absorb, relevant and useful. Overcoming the barriers to adopting this new tool also needs to be part of the plan.

Has your organization recently adopted Twitter or another social media tool? I’d love to hear about your success and challenges.

This week we have more reporting from Calais, where increasingly violent deportations of people seeking asylum are being monitored by No Borders activists. Back in the UK, while legitimised gatherings are now being targetted by the authorities, other spaces are secure and viable. We hear about an upcoming event at the occupied JB Spray former factory building, where from August 21-23rd people interested in or active on migration and related issues are invited to a weekend of discussions and workshops on the theme of going ‘Beyond Borders’. We talk to one of the event’s organisers.

Also check in for the latest on plans to scupper the racist plot-fest the ‘Red, White and Blue’ festival, coming to a town near you this August, and find out about a new alternative mental health project in Nottingham, as Ben has a chat with Penny. Special thanks must go out to Leni Ward, Home Stereo and Made of Leaves for coming to the rescue and sorting the music for the show at the last minute. Y’all sounding great!

As always we love to hear your feedback in the comments section, and don’t forget – if you’re the slightest bit interested in getting involved with Riseup! Radio, drop us an email!

Peas x

Download: mp3 | ogg

Listen: player in browser

Playlist

00:00:00 – Prelude: Nick Griffin (on BBC)
00:01:00 – Intro
00:02:34 – Hilary on No Borders
00:12:26 – Dom on No Borders
00:21:00 – Beyond Borders
00:26:34 – Track: Can’t Be Won’t Be by Leni Ward (from LP ‘Body’)
00:30:13 – Red White & Blue
00:38:38 – Track: Walk Away by Home Stereo
00:41:31 – Penny on the Alternative Mental Health project
00:47:24 – Track: Burn by Leni Ward (from ‘Body’)
00:51:21 – Outro
00:52:25 – Track: Broken Light by Made of Leaves
00:59:08 – FIN

Galet bra. Kom över den när jag gick min dagliga bloggrunda. Från chicagos stolthet Soulstice och belgiska producenten SBe skiva “beyond borders” som jag vart sjukt sugen på att gå igenom efter denna dänga.
Tankarna går nästan till Blu och Exiles kemi för tusan, och det är inget dåligt betyg vet vi som hört “below the heavens“…

Lyssna här:  Soulstice & SBe – Unfold (feat. Odissee)

It’s 6am and I can’t get back to sleep. I got my wisdom teeth pulled out about 21 hours ago. I had horrible pain when my wisdom teeth were in, mainly due to the fact that they were impacted something awful. They were actually under so much pressure that they started breaking. Chunks of them would crack off when I would eat something crunchy. They also moved around all of my other teeth that 3 years of braces had carefully put into place. Many nights I would wake up, literally writhing in pain while in bed. My wife would have to go and get me some pain killers just so I could try to get to sleep. The pain that I”m having now, after the surgery, is nothing compared to that pain. The issue is that I’m STARVING!

not related to the post, but I love this picture

I’m a skinny guy, who normally eats all the time. People always comment on how I’m eating constantly throughout the day, yet I never gain weight. Well, with a schedule like that, a liquid diet is not all that fulfilling. I’ve had soup, and shakes, and I want some damn meat! I want some vegetables. I want something thicker and more filling than this liquid diet that is far too similar to what my 5 month old son is maintaining. 

On the plus, my wife has been taking care of me this whole time which is very comforting. She is a great wife always, but there’s something comforting about someone taking care of you when you’re not well. I’ve also gotten a chance to watch a couple of really good movies. Stepbrothers, which is unbelievably stupid, but somehow clever in its stupidity, and also Closer which is probably the most realistic “love” story I’ve seen in a while. It’s actually based on a play and has the same flow and style of a play. I’d recommend it. If nothing else, it has Clive owen in it, whom I’m becoming addicted to. He still holds the trophy for most romantic line in a movie in my opinion. In “Beyond Borders”, which also stars Angelina Jolie, his character tells her character, “You’re in my heart, you’re in every fucking beat of me.” I don’t know if anyone else digs that line, but I love it. Probably because it sounds like a line I would have wrote, or wish I had wrote, but hadn’t. 

Anyway, tonight a good friend of mine is playing a show, so I do need to get to sleep. I want to make it out there to it. Later on, world wide web.

Fathomless Regression

(the rambler)

Rational:

In an effort to raise the bar on Sri Lanka’s response to HIV & AIDS, a group of local and International organizations that actively work in the field of HIV & AIDS, Sexuality and Sexual Reproductive Rights (SRH) have together to form one collective voice! This coalition who have adopted the slogan ‘Together We Are the Solution’ as their mantra, believes in consistent and clear messages in terms of advocacy and awareness on HIV & AIDS, Sexuality and SRH.

Whilst Sri Lanka remains “a low prevalence” country HIV & AIDS infections are on the rise, 202 new infections were reported in 2008. Moreover, if we are to learn the lessons from other South Asian nations like India, a country that has a “low prevalence” of HIV should strive to remain a “low prevalence” country. Awareness, education and advocacy are needed now!

The HIV & AIDS response thus far in Sri Lanka has been focused mainly on most at risk populations (MARPS) e.g. Commercial sex workers, Intravenous Drug users, trishaw drivers, beach boys etc, however the coalition believes that all populations matter, especially the youth, if we are to arrest the spread of HIV in our country. The marginalization of MARPS, the stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV (PLHIV) results from the silence and ignorance that surrounds issues related to HIV, sex and sexuality.

The coalition wants to go beyond isolated workshops, events that spring up around World AIDS Day, and seeks to challenge the young people and not so young people of our country to LEARN MORE! STAND UP! & SPEAK OUT! To remove the culture of silence and fear that surrounds HIV, sex and sexuality and to move towards and equitable society for all.

We want to have more than the token World AIDS Day event- this is about continuous awareness raising of HIV & AIDS related issues whilst at the same time to advocate the rights and needs of those who already live with HIV in Sri Lanka,”

says Milinda Rajapaksha from the National Youth Coalition for Sexual & Reproductive Rights.

Partners:

Currently, the coalition includes representation from Positive Hopes Alliance, Lanka + (PLHIV Support organizations), The Salvation Army, EQUAL GROUND, Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC), Beyond Borders, Companions on a Journey, The Youth committee of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka, National Youth Coalition Sri Lanka (NYCSL), PANOS, National STD & AIDS Control programme (NSACP), Save Lanka Kids, World Vision and The Women’s Support Group. It is hoped that more agencies will join as the event-series gathers momentum leading up to World AIDS Day.

Candlelight Event coming to a Town near You from July to November 09:

With the full financial support from UNAIDS, Together We Are The Solution plan to begin their program in Colombo and then visit Kandy, Galle, Negombo, Batticaloa and Anuradhapura conducting similar events modified to suit the needs and requirements of the visited town. The event will include street theatre, quiz competitions, condom cricket and other interactive games and more! All designed specifically to discuss HIV, sex and sexuality in sensitive and culturally appropriate ways.

Volunteers:

A team of volunteers from across the island will be trained in handling the event and activities, as Together We Are the Solution believes in clear and consistent messaging in their education and awareness programmes. Volunteers will first be trained in Colombo at the Family Planning Association, 27/37, Bullers Lane, Colombo 07 on the 11 July. The first program will be held at Excel World in Colombo on the 19 July 2009 starting at 10 a.m. and culminating with the candlelight memorial at 6.30 p.m.

There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one’

Beyond Borders in stores June 23rd…..

“Chi Worldwide”