ELEN RIVAS FOR PETA: 'BULLFIGHTING IS CRUEL!'

Spanish model, Elen Rivas has posed naked for an anti bullfighting campaign fronted by the animal rights organisation, PETA. The advert, which includes a strap line of ‘The Naked Truth: Bullfighting is cruel’ hopes to spread awareness of the evil associated with the sport and encourage for it to become completely banned.

Ms Rivas told The Metro yesterday: “Most Spaniards – including those in my hometown of Barcelona, where bullfighting was recently banned – are opposed to the barbaric blood sport, and PETA and I are urging British tourists not to be fooled by the industry's propaganda.”

…And here at RECOGNISE we couldn’t agree more: If you are to vacation in Spain this summer then we urge you to remember that Bullfighting is cruel!

GLASTONBURY 2011... (in pictures!)

Presumed Consent is not “Consent”.

Since 1999, the British Medical association has been campaigning for a “presumed consent” system for organ donation, where all people will be assumed to be willing to donate their organs in the event of their death unless they have opted out of the scheme. Currently, people in Britain must actively join the NHS Organ Donor Register. According to NHS Organ Donation statistics, 3,709 organ transplants were carried out in the UK last year, while an additional 3,099 people had their sight restored through a cornea transplant. Many supporters of the presumed consent system believe it would boost organ-donation rates and therefore offer a better quality of life to the approximate 8,000 people still on the waiting list.

However, critics of the scheme claim that it could damage the trust patients place in medical staff. Dr Sharon Blackford, a dermatologist from Swansea, challenged the support for presumed consent by claiming that a move to presumed consent could damage trust in doctors. “If someone is ill in intensive care, families may feel doctors just want to harvest the organs”.

Under the British Medical Association’s suggestions, families would still be able to object to organ donation even if their relative had not opted out of the system. Ultimately, however, surely this would mean that the “consent” being given were that of the family, not of the individual? While the scheme may encourage people to be less apathetic in their decision to donate, or not donate, organs, to presume consent is surely necessarily not to ask for it. Instead of forcing people who do not wish to donate their organs to opt out, perhaps more should be done to educate and encourage individuals who may wish to become organ donors to take the time to do so.

For more information about organ donation, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk



Peace One Day concert at the O2 Arena

This year sees the 10th anniversary of Global Peace Day, held on September 21st and formally established in the international calendar as an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence by the United Nations General Assembly. Yet can one day of enforced peace compensate for 364 other days of war, domestic abuse or violent crime, for instance? The worldwide day of peace neither exempts the world from its violent actions, nor claims to do so. This one day is more than just another day, as it provides a platform for individuals to show their support for the peace process, and get more directly involved.

Global Peace Day was realised in part through the efforts of Jeremy Gilley, who founded the Peace One Day film project in 1999 to document his attempts to create an annual, international day of peace. With the day now in place, Peace One Day’s current aim is to institutionalise Peace day across the world so that it becomes self-sustaining. This year a concert will be held at the O2 Arena on Global Peace Day to support and raise awareness about the Peace One Day campaign, featuring artists such as Eliza Dolittle, Youssou NDour, Afroreggae, Flawless and the English National Ballet, with further acts still to be announced.

Jeremy Gilley is now calling for and working towards a Global Truce on Peace Day in 2012. “We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest reduction in global violence in recorded history, both domestically and internationally. This day is as much about non-violence in our schools, our homes, workplace and local communities as it is about ceasefire on the international stage.” Gilley will be speaking at the O2 Arena show, which is set to launch a 365 day countdown to Global Truce.

Millions of people were active on Peace Day in 2010, in all 192 UN member states, and Peace One Day aims to have 500 million active participants, and 3 billion people aware of Peace Day, by 2012. On Peace Day in 2010, 28 organisations carried out 88 humanitarian activities across 31 countries. For instance, in Afghanistan, WHO/UNICEF/Afghan Ministry of Public Health vaccinated over 50,000 children and women in 23 locations against all vaccine-preventable diseases.

Mary Robinson, then the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a filmed interview with Jeremy Gilley; “My experience of conflict is that those who are involved in it long for even a day of peace. To have a day of cessation of violence, that to me is an idea whose time has come”.

It may only be one day in the year, but Global Peace Day also functions as a catalyst for a range of civil society actions, both by organised groups and by individuals. Perhaps one day can get people from all sectors of society, from governments to individuals, to think about and react against the impact violence has on all of us every day.

Tickets are on sale now for the Peace One Day O2 Arena concert.

THE TICKS DON’T LIE: SHAKIRA CALLS FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION EQUALITY

World famous pop star, and debut RECOGNISE magazine cover star, Shakira was in Jerusalem recently to address the Israeli Presidential Conference. In front of world leaders, journalists, economists, scientists and innovators she discussed the need for a free, quality education for all children, especially girls.

Shakira, as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, visited the Max Payne “Hand in Hand” School for Bilingual Education in Jerusalem to meet with students to talk about the power of education. The project hopes to build peace and promote equality by mixing the classes with both Palestinian and Jewish students. The classes are taught by two teachers, one Palestinian and one Jewish, and are taught in both Arabic and Hebrew.

“Investing in education is the best strategy for peace and global stability”, she said during her visit, part of her ongoing work as an advocate for global education. According to UNESCO’s 2011 Global Monitoring Report, there are still 67 million primary-school age children out of school globally today, with the numbers falling too slowly.

It’s work like this that made Shakira our number one choice for our first ever cover.  Being an amazing beauty outside as well as in helped too!!

For more on the work of UNICEF visit http://www.unicef.org.uk/ and get closer to the Colombian siren at http://www.shakira.com/

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 'GREEN TRAVELLER' INITIATIVE

Glastonbury Festival has long been committed to reducing carbon emissions, protecting the local environment and raising awareness about climate change. A team of volunteers manage waste collection on the site, and last year saw 49% of this rubbish recycled. A high level of bio-diversity is maintained on the festival site by protecting vulnerable habitats through non-public zones and by planting native trees and hedges. In 2005, a temporary 3 acre reserve was created to protect a deer that emerged near the Pyramid Stage, from which it emerged unscathed at the end of the festival. All Glastonbury Festival t-shirts are printed using water based (non-pvc) inks and vegetable dyes, all cutlery used by market stalls must be wood, not plastic, all cups and plates are made from a compostable material and in 2004 a composting initiative was introduced to minimise the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.

Glastonbury are also investing in renewable power and low energy solutions by using a combination of “Orion” solar generators and modern PA and LED technology where possible. This green technology at the Festival will save over a tonne of carbon emissions this year.

In addition to these numerous commitments to limiting the environmental impact of the festival, this year sees the advent of Glastonbury Festival’s “Green Traveller” initiative. To help lower carbon emissions and to raise awareness about the need to tackle climate change, the Festival is supporting people who choose to come to Somerset by public transport or bicycle. Over 50% of Glastonbury Festival’s CO2 emissions come from how the Festival goer makes their way to the site, so ticket holders who arrive at the Festival by public transport or bicycle will be given a Green Traveller lanyard. This rewards their journey with ways to make their Festival experience slightly more comfortable, such as vouchers for discounts on food and access to solar showers and compost toilets. They aim to get a third of Festival goers to arrive by train or coach – and perhaps encourage them to think about how they use their cars for the rest of the year too.

ALOUD WELCOME FOR CHERYL COLE CHARITY DRESS AUCTION

Singer Cheryl Cole has donated 11 dresses to auction to raise funds for The Cheryl Cole Foundation. Money raised will go to support youth charity The Princes Trust, and will be targeted at vulnerable 16-30 year olds in the North East, such as those who are leaving care, are long term unemployed or are educational underachievers. Through her Foundation, Cheryl hopes to show disadvantaged young people that someone believes in them. The ‘Lowest Unique Bid’ Auction, hosted by ASOS, means that the lowest monetary amount not bid by anyone else will win the auction, so potentially an outfit worn by Cheryl on the X-Factor, or with band-mates in Girls Aloud, could be snapped up for as little as 1p!

TRADE IN YOUR BANANA HAMMOCKS!!

This year Speedo is launching a ‘swimwear amnesty’ at The British Gas Big Dip events in the summer to help raise funds for charity. The aim is for people to donate items of unwanted swimwear or goggles to Speedo who will then provide a discount on the cost of new swimwear items purchased from the Speedo Stand at the Big Dip.

For each item of men’s/boy’s swimwear, participants will receive a £5.00 discount, and a £10.00 discount for ladies items donated. In addition unwanted goggles can be donated in return for a special £5.00 reduction on new goggles. The best part is, for every tonne of swimwear and accessories collected Speedo will donate £1,000 to Cancer Research UK.

The British Gas Big Dip will be held at Clapham Common, London (June 18th – July 17th) and Spinningsfield Square, Manchester (July 30th – August 29th). Head on down to your nearest Big Dip for what promises to be one of the family entertainment highlights of the summer - all in a good cause!

For more information about tickets and time slots go to: www.bigdip.co.uk

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

 All of us at RECOGNISE were sorry to hear the news today surrounding our current cover star, Hugh Hefner.  After six months together, and just five short days before the expected wedding, 24-year-old bride-to-be Crystal Harris called off her engagement to the Playboy king due to a “change of heart”.  Hef talks to us about his relationship with his now ‘ex’ fiance in Issue 8 of RECOGNISE, available now...

ALL FOR CHILDREN

New children’s clothing collection for H&M and UNICEF’s All For Children  

This October,H&M will launch a new range of fashionable children’s clothing to show its support for the UNICEF‘All For Children’ initiative. This scheme aims to generate lasting change for generations of children in some of the most deprived parts of the world, where many of H&M’s clothes are made. 25% of all sales from the All For Children collection will go directly to support UNICEF in their promotion of children’s rights to education and protection among vulnerable communities. The collection updates many classic favourite pieces and is designed to be versatile, so that pieces can be worn throughout the season and beyond.The range will be available in 160 stores worldwide and also online.

CAMERON PLEDGES MILLIONS TOWARDS CHILD VACCINATION PROGRAMMES ABROAD

David Cameron and Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates lead the ‘Saving Children’s Lives’ conference in London today, where countries are being asked to increase contributions towards immunisation  programmes in some of the world’s poorest nations by an additional £2.3bn by 2015.

Currently nearly 2 million children under five die each year from pneumonia alone, despite the existence of a vaccine.

Cameron has announced an additional pledge of £814m on top of his existing commitment of £680m between 2011 and 2015 to aid the vaccination of children against preventable diseases such as pneumonia.

Over the past decade the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) has been able to reach 288 million children with vaccines, saving more than 5 million lives. GAVI has said that the additional money could help to save 4 million lives in 4 years.

GOLD THAT SHINES BRIGHTER...

On Friday night we attended a special evening hosted by the Fairtrade Foundation to celebrate the launch of Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold in conjunction with London Jewellery Week. From traditional fine jewellery to contemporary sculptural pieces, the event showcased a range of ethical designers including CRED, Linnie McLarty, Ute Decker and Ingle & Rhode.

We were lucky enough to speak to one of the miners who at the forefront of the Fairtrade Gold revolution has inspired many a designer to take part in the movement by sourcing their metal and stones in an ethical and fair way without sacrificing innovative design and creativity.

Read up more about Fairtrade mining and see the latest pieces from our favourite ethical jewellery designers in Recognise, issue 9.

Fairtrade gold Arm Sculpture by Ute Decker

Ethically sourced ruby and fairtrade gold ring by Linnie McLarty

WELL OBSERVED – The Observer Ethical Awards, 2011

Last night we were invited to celebrate the winners (and non-winners) of the Observer's annual awards for the people, places and businesses that have taken the lead in either bringing awareness to green or humanitarian issues or implemented far reaching green, ethical and innovative practices as part of their business models.

Colin and Livia Firth

Ben Okri

 

Lily Cole

Now in its sixth year the awards have become a standard by which businesses market their credentials to their consumers.  Businesses competing to ‘out-green’ each other to capture a larger market share?  That’s the kind of Capitalism that makes all of us at Recognise smile from ear to ear.  Of course, we didn’t mind rubbing shoulders with all the celebrities who attended the ceremony either.  It shows that green and ethical issues are not just for the campaigners; it’s now for the fashionable and the mainstream too.

Rick Edwards

Stacey Dooley

Rob Da Bank

Congratulations to John Mulholland, Lucy Siegle, the whole Observer team and all the winners for another successful event.  See you next year!!

For a list of all last night’s winners visit  http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jun/09/winners

ROCK UP AND SEA WITH FAT FACE

Fat Face has got busy plans to give you a fun and sun filled summer. Their Rock Up and Sea Tour is bringing cool beach parties to the south coast for five weekends, kicking off with Newquay, Cornwall on 2 July and it’s all for FREE! You can even win the chance to learn to surf, paddle board or go sea kayaking. After a day in the sun, carry on into the night with the official after party offering a BBQ, drinks and live music.

They’re also holding a model competition, offering you the chance to become the new face of their Summer 2012 campaign and win £1,000 worth of Fat Face clothing! So send in your photo or nominate your mates.

As if that isn’t enough, September sees the charity auction of inspiring and original artwork by 9 British artists, both up and coming and established, via Ebay. What’s more all the money raised goes to the Fat Face Foundation which works closely with the Marine Conservation Society to clean up and maintain Britain’s beaches and coastline.

For more information, to register for your free beach party and become a model visit:

http://outthere.fatface.com/liveinit/

FASHION FOR ALL WALKS...

Yesterday we caught up with previous BBC’s The Clothes Show presenter and fashion expert Caryn Franklin at Graduate Fashion Week. Together with Erin O’Connor and Debra Bourne she’s been campaigning to stop the fashion industry’s obsession with 'size zero' and youthful perfection. Their campaign All Walks Beyond the Catwalk aims to encourage the industry to showcase models of all different ages, shapes, size and race. And where better to encourage this by starting with the designers of the future!

We took a leaf out of Caryn’s book this month with our own high fashion editorial shoot featuring a gorgeous and curvaceous 'plus size' model proving you don’t have to be super skinny to pull off wearing amazing clothes and look fabulous.

Check out the shoot and our interview with Caryn in our next issue! 

WORLD OCEANS DAY – WE HEARD IT WENT SWIMMINGLY

Yesterday was World Oceans Day. The global event encouraged people to think about the positive changes they can make to protect marine life. Ocean protection organisation, Oceana, is encouraging people to take a pledge to become an “Ocean Hero" by making a commitment to one of three options: recycling, cleaning local waterways or eating sustainable seafood. Their hope is that one day our oceans will be as rich and abundant as they once were. We hope that you all got involved!

Selfridges recently launched their campaign towards a more sustainable and ethical business approach, Project Ocean, in collaboration with 20 conservation and environmental groups which aims to highlight the threat of over-fishing and promote seafood sustainability. If you were in Selfridges yesterday you may have even seen a man dressed up as a giant fish!

(Featured in Issue 8 of RECOGNISE Magazine)

GOVERNMENT SLASHES SOLAR ELECTRICITY FUNDING

Friends of the Earth are outraged about the Government’s decision to cut funding of solar electricity schemes yesterday. The cuts will see a reduction in feed-in tariff payments made to solar electricity schemes above 50kw. The feed-in tariffs, previously introduced thanks to Friends of the Earth’s campaign, provided long-term payments for small scale green electricity schemes.

Due to the recent cuts, investors have put plans for community schemes on hold, not only preventing the creation of renewable energy sources but also the thousands of jobs opportunities that would have been created by the projects. The Government says the purpose of the cuts is to reduce the creation of too many commercial solar farms.

For further information and to show your support visit www.foe.co.uk

MODEL MOVES: Agatha Relota’s New Book

                                                           Agatha shows off her new book in the Hempel Hotel gardens

On Wednesday evening we were invited to the official launch for the children’s book ‘Carla and Leo’s World of Dance’ in the beautiful gardens of The Hempel Hotel in West London.

The book itself is written by supermodel and trained dancer Agatha Relota and centres on the adventures of two young children as they discover the magical world of ballroom dancing for the first time.

In such gorgeous surroundings with so many celebs in attendance it certainly seemed magical, especially when we were treated to full dance shows on the specially built dance floor in the centre of the gardens.  It’s a shame we all had two left feet, it looked amazing!

Carla and Leo’s World of Dance, with a foreword written by ‘Yummy Mummy’ Jessica Alba and illustrations from fashion illustrator Thierry Perez, is available now on Thames & Hudson press.

V.I.P Very Important Plectrums

Fancy owning a piece of music history? Until 19 June Ben Sherman is auctioning off plectrums, donated and signed by numerous iconic artists. All the proceeds go to selected charities Trekstock, funding cancer research and supporting young people with cancer and Lifebeat, providing education in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Each plectrum is signed and comes in a custom made collector’s frame alongside a photograph and message from the artist. The first of three lots ends on Sunday 5 June so get bidding via Ebay. We’ve got our eye on Mark Ronson’s, what about you?

http://www.benshermanvip.com/2011/#vip

do one good thing

The One Foundation is rapidly improving the lives of thousands of children in Africa by giving them access to clean water through the sales of its bottled water. One Water is bottled at source from the Love One Spring in Powys, Wales and 100% of the proceeds go to funding community based water solutions in Africa.

Their latest solution is the PlayPump; a children's roundabout which pumps water from deep underground into tanks as the children play. The children love playing on the pump so much it’s even increased school attendance!

You can buy One Water from Morrison’s, Tesco, Waitrose, World Duty Free and Total UK for only £0.45 for 500 ml. 

TRACEY EMIN

Yesterday, we went along to the Southbank, Hayward Gallery to see the new Tracey Emin exhibition, Love is What You Want.
The exhibition surveys the rather controversial and outspoken career or Emin, who has become one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists.
Using her own life and experiences as the starting point for her work, Emin has created a combination of explicit, romantic and profound art.
Most of the pieces are based around the idea of femininity. She uses hand sewn blankets, strobe lighting in the form of words and large wooden structures, so there is certainly no room for boredom here.
Definitely worth a visit, but probably not one to bring the grandparents to!