About the Active Citizens programme - "Globally connected, locally engaged"

In today's world, we encounter a greater variety of perspectives, cultures and communities than ever before. This is partly the result of globalisation, through which people and countries have become increasingly connected culturally, politically and economically.

The Active Citizens programme envisages a world in which these increasing connections lead to positive outcomes. A world where people feel empowered to engage peaceably and effectively with others in the sustainable development of their communities. We think this vision is important at a time when decisions taken locally can have an immediate impact globally and vice versa – whether it‟s controversial Danish cartoons or decisions on the global climate, we are reminded of our interconnected lives.

Who is involved?

Active Citizens is a not-for-profit programme run by the British Council in partnership with civil society organisations (like Oblong and Together for Peace) who share our vision. The programme works with people who have demonstrated they are local social responsibility, including youth workers, womens groups, educators and faith leaders. Working together, these local influencers build trust and understanding, develop skills, and deliver projects on urgent themes such as poverty, literacy, democracy and climate change. Connecting local and international agendas through the programme.

So far it has reached around 80,000 Active Citizens from diverse communities in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Linked as part of a global network – including 21 communities from the UK – they undertake a common learning journey that enhances their leadership, inter-cultural and project management skills.

The taught part of the course will be run from Saturday 28th January for four Saturdays. Each day will focus on a different element of the Active Citizens programme. The sessions will run between 10am and 4pm.

,b>Saturday 28th January - Introduction, Me - identify and culture

Introduce ourselves to each other. Understand the active Citizens programme and why people are motivated to take part.

Have a strong sense of our own cultures and identity.

Have a better understanding of how our sense of identity and cultures are formed and change.

Saturday 4th February - Me and You - dialogue

Have curiosity and value difference

feel more motivated and able to share and learn from others

Saturday 11th February - We Together - local & global citizenship

Have a better understanding of the relationship between personal, local and global connections.

Feel motivated to take action for lasting social change that benefits the wider community.

Have a sense of responsibility towards sustainable development.

Saturday 18th February - Project Planning

Identify issues that affect our communities and the projects to address these

Be more effective in tackling social issues in our communities.

By the end of the Project Planning session we envisage the group splitting into smaller groups each focusing on a different social action project. Each group will be allocated a mentor who will support them in the development and delivery of their community project. It is expected that the group will meet a number of times, when it is convenient for them, to plan and deliver their project.

Saturday 28th April - Celebration and Reflection

An opportunity for us all to share what we have done and learned from the programme.

If you would like more information or apply for the course call Mark or Duncan at Oblong on 0113 245 9610 or email mark@oblongleeds.org.uk or Duncan@oblongleeds.org.uk

Beginning Wednesday the 25th of January Oblong Leeds has almost filled twelve free places on a video production course. This new fourteen week course will take you step by step through the fundamentals of using the camera, capturing great images and telling your story.

Now more than ever, video is becoming a powerful tool for communicating important issues and making a strong connection with your audience. The course is aimed at beginners and will give you the skills to produce effective and engaging short films. The tutor will be Abdul Al-Marsumi who has worked for the BBC in Bagdhad and directed for the Arabic Service.

The course will take place at Woodhouse Community Centre, 197 Woodhouse Street, Leeds LS6 2NY and will begin on Wednesday 25th January between 4.00pm and 6.00pm

There are still one or two places left so if you are interested please contact markw@oblongleeds.org.uk

Calling all volunteers!

We are making a final push to get the various bits of furniture, equipment and just STUFF that we've got around the building distributed before people start coming in for activities. We'll be in the centre this Thursday evening (12th Jan) and also Saturday all day (14th Jan) getting this done. Please come along and give us a hand for as much or as little time as you can spare - help will be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

After a long slog, Woodhouse Community Centre is *nearly* ready for re-opening! When we started the refurbishment and asset transfer project, we didn't anticipate the type of legal and funding difficulties we would have along the way. But now that we've almost reached the end of the building works, it's looking like a fantastic new beginning and Oblong couldn't be happier!

Our timescales for getting the centre up and running are as follows:

9th January - existing tenants can move in
16th January - building open for tenants' daytime activities
23rd January - open to the public

And we're planning to hold our Grand Opening in late February. There will be more info to come on that as we plan the event.

There's still quite a lot of dust to be cleared and furniture to be shifted, as well as some final jobs for the builders over the next couple of weeks. Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th January - from 10.30am - 5.30am we'll need help getting stuff from our storage unit in Beeston, clearing out the basement and unpacking. Plenty of jobs to do for people of all fitness levels. We'll need more help next week so get in touch if you can help or look out for the messages.

We are taking bookings and finalising sublease documents for long-term lettings, so please get in touch if you are interested in hiring space and haven't finalised something with us yet.

We are also planning to begin training reception and centre administration volunteers week commencing the 16th, so if you or anyone from your organisation are interested in getting involved don't hesitate to contact us.

We can't wait to get some photographs of the new spaces up on our website, along with a new video - we'll keep you posted!

Hoping to see you soon in the new community digs!

We'll be staying around to chat, eat and drink after the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you in The Chemic Tavern at 4pm on Wednesday 21st December.

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Oblong AGM 2011
Wednesday 21st December 2011, 4pm

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions.

2. Agree that last year’s AGM minutes are an accurate record

3. Brief discussion of Annual accounts.
(Please note that our finance worker may be absent from this meeting, so if you have any questions, please email chris@oblongleeds.or.uk before the meeting.)

4. Appointment of Independent (financial) Examiner (Stuart B Lodge & Co, Bradford)

5. Presentation of annual report, questions. (Mark Waddington)

6. Resignation, nomination and appointment of Trustees.

7. Design for sign for Pennington St garden (Pete Tatham)

8. Invitation for input on how we will name rooms at Woodhouse Community Centre

9. AoB

End of meeting