i want change

Fink Club explained!

2009-09-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

There are 5 "fink clubs" during 30,000 Ways: 1) Points means Visas 2) Where's my £3K going? 3) You're not fucked 4) Put the kettle on 5) Should we invite the BNP to campus. Fink club is a debate format pioneered by NEF This is how it works:

Everyone gathers in a circle with a ring in the middle. A ring master (debate host) invites three or four guest 'expert' speakers to explain their point of view in 4 minutes. Once these speakers have had their say anyone in the circle (including the guest speakers) can (re)enter the ring and make their point for up to a maximum of 2 minutes. The debate continues like this for 1 hour. It's a great formatt for creating genuine debate so come along and fink for yourself!

Important: Don't miss out!

2009-09-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

Find out the secret location for the 30,000 Ways party and stay up to date with all the developments over the week by signing up to the I WANT CHANGE group here now! Remember You will need to log into the union website before you sign up. You can also join the I WANT CHANGE facebook group here

I WANT CHANGE PRESENTS...

2009-07-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

From the 28th September to the 2nd of October 2009
LUU will host 5 days of students, environment, sport,
culture and action.

This is the schedule so far:

Monday 28th September - Students

12pm - 1pm Ripple
FREE lunch in the peanut gallery

1pm - 2.30pm Points Means Visas (Info Point)
Stuart Hodkinson (UCU) debates the controversial new points based immigration system with UKIP Gereneral Secretary Jonathan Arnott. Come along and say what you fink!

4pm - 5pm Give It A Go - How to change your Union (Peanut Gallery)
Aidan Grills (LUU Director of membership services) and Hannah Greenslade (Community Officer) explain how to make the changes you want to see to your student union.

5.30pm - 7pm Where's my £3k going? (Riley Smith Hall)
Fink club debate on how Leeds University spend your fees with Professor Steve Scott, (University Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students & Staff), Ben Whittaker (NUS Welfare Officer) and Dr Gavin Reid, (Leeds UCU President).

7.30pm - 10pm Open Mic (Peanut Gallery)
Poet, Music, Comedy...Share your talents

Tuesday 29th September - Environment

12pm - 1pm Ripple
FREE lunch in the peanut gallery

1.30pm - 2.30pm Can science save us? (Peanut Gallery)
Climate camper Claire Fauset talks to the Head of Innovation at UoL, Richard Williams

3pm-5pm Are Free Markets the Answer? (Peanut Gallery)
Student and Avaaz worker Joe Finlayson explores in the Peanut Gallery.

5pm - 6.30pm You're not fucked: Copenhagen and Climate Justice (Riley Smith Hall)
Fink club debate with Ashok Sinha (Director of Stop Climate Chaos) Nick Dearden (Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign) and Simon Lewis (IPCC & UoL) discussing what to expect from "the most important meeting in history"

7pm - 9pm Age of Stupid (Clothworkers South Lecture Theatre 2 UoL)
Film showing

Wednesday 30th September - Sport

12pm - 1pm Ripple
FREE lunch in the peanut gallery

1pm - 3pm Play Fair (Sports Centre - Sports Halls 1a and 1b)
Come and play football, basketball or dodgeball with a fun and interesting twist.

3pm - 5pm Recession and resistance: co-ordinating the student struggle (Peanut Gallery)
The Revolution Society host John Bodem

5pm - 7pm Put the kettle on (Info Point)
A debate on security and liberty in the UK with Insp. Fran Naughton (West Yorkshire Police), Joe Rogers (Hyde Park student resident), Max (animal rights activist) and Steven Powell (Director of the Football Supporters Federation)

7pm - 9pm Taking Liberties (Peanut Gallery)
Film showing

Thursday 1st October - Culture

12pm - 1pm Ripple
FREE lunch in the peanut gallery

1pm - 2.30pm Should we invite the BNP to campus? (Info Point)
Debate with Yemi Makinde (NUS), Corey Dixon (Academic Career & Affairs Officer, Oriel College, Oxford), Nabil Ahmed (FOSIS) and Weyman Bennett (Unite against facism)

3pm - 5pm Any Questions? (Game On)
Come along for a free cup of tea and the chance to ask members of minority ethnic, religious and social groups the questions you were always too scared to ask.

5.30pm - 7pm Israel and Palestine: What's all the fuss about? (Conference Hall)
Panel debate with Robin Hamilton-Taylor (Public Affairs, Embassy of Israel) Chris Doyle (Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding) and Sharon Booth (Director of Outreach for Onevoice)

8.00pm - 9.30pm Something to Smile About (Riley Smith Hall)
Award winning comic Robin Ince and Geri Bury provide an evening of laughs!
Tickets £3 (suggested donation) available from the CDS office and at the daily free 30,000 Ways lunchtime Ripple

Friday 2nd October - Action

12pm - 1pm Ripple
FREE lunch in the peanut gallery

1pm - 3pm Alternative tour of Leeds
Bondi Beach not your thing? - don't wait 3 years to find all the good bits of Leeds. Meet outside the Union on the steps.

1pm-3pm Guerilla Gardening
When is a bomb a good bomb? When it's full of seeds! take a different look at gardening with Isabel Swift. Meet outside the Union on the steps.

3pm- 5pm NVDA training (Peanut Gallery)
Members of People & Planet and Climate Camp introduce non-violent direct action

5pm-7pm Why we Broke the Law (Peanut Gallery, Leeds University Union)
The Drax 29 portesters Paul Chatterton and Bertie Russell who hijacked a coal train destined for Drax power station talk to Leeds Student why they did it.

7pm- late 30,000Ways Party CANCELLED - Go to this instead!
Bike powered musical fun at a secret location - sign up to I WANT CHANGE to find out where!

"A Very Civil Way To Protest"

2009-04-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

The No lBA Expansion Picnic

2009-04-28T05:12:00.000-07:00

Students Keep Aiport Expansion Grounded

2009-04-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Controversial plans for a £28m extension to Leeds-Bradford International Airport terminal have been scuppered for the time being.

On Wednesday the 16th April Councillors voted 8-0 to delay a decision on the scheme amid concerns about the impact it could have on the climate, traffic, noise and jobs in the Yorkshire.

Students at Leeds campaigning as part of the No LBA Expansion coalition worked hard to get over 1200 objection letters signed against the expansion to the council before the meeting. They also met with a number of the Councillors directly to present their case.

No LBA Expansion are now planning a picnic at the airport similar to the one held at heathrow earlier this year to continue to build on their success - everybody is welcome.

Read more about the council's decision here.

No Leeds Bradford Airport Expansion

2009-03-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of students have already signed a letter against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport.

The Owners of Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) want to boost their profits by nearly doubling the number of passengers flying out of the airport over the next 4 years despite the massive increase it would bring in terms of noise, traffic and C02 emissions. However there is an opportunity to stop them: To go ahead with the expansion LBIA need Leeds City Council’s planning permission. Thanks to campaigning by LUU, Friends of the Earth, TIDAL and Stop Climate Chaos the council has delayed their decision until the 16th April. Add your voice to the hundreds of students who’ve already stated their opposition to the expansion here or visit the NOLBA website for further details.

New Design

2009-03-20T02:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the newly re-designed "I Want Change" blog! Hope you all like!

Action Gallery

2009-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered what's in the Peanut Gallery...

2009-01-14T02:46:00.000-08:00

Film Festival Showtimes!

2008-12-17T08:33:00.001-08:00

2 weeks and over 30 films to inspire compassion, empathy, mischief and action. All the films featured in the festival have been put forward by students through the I want change facebook page.

The students who proposed the films will be hosteding them accordingley. All the films will be screened in Leeds University Union's Peanut Gallery. Come along, warm up, chill out, wake up and then get a grip.

Click on the films to see more information and trailers.

Week One 26th - 30th Jan

Mon 26^th – Latin America

1pm: Estrellas de La Linea
Director: Chema Rodriguez
110 minutes
A documentary about a group of Guatemalan sex workers who formed a soccer team in 2004 and joined their local five-a-side league. The league's organiser expelled them when their profession was revealed, bringing about a media frenzy.

5.30pm: The Revolution will not be Televised
Directors: Kim Bartley and Donnacha O'Brian
74 minutes
When filming a documentary about the Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez, an Irish film crew found themselves in the heart of government when the coup broke out. Keeping the cameras rolling producing a unique glimpse into an event usually so clouded with propaganda.

Tues 27^th – Africa

1pm: Lumumba
Director: Raoul Peck
115 minutes
The tragic tale of a man who's vision for a free and democratic Congo is betrayed by imperialism, greed for mineral wealth, neo-colonialism and ultimately his own countrymen.

5.30: Daratt
Director: Mahamat Saleh Haroun
96 minutes
Vengeance and tenderness battle each other in post-war Chad, as Atim, 16, struggles to kill his father's murderer-turned-baker. In Nassara's bakery, the pounding heat intensifies as the uneasy relationship comes to its climax.

Wed 28^th – USA

1pm: Man on Wire
Director James Marsh
90 minutes
Have you ever wondered how to break into one of the most secure buildings on earth and engage in illegal activity? Philippe Petit's disregard for authority and safety alongside his passion for tight rope walking is inspiring to say the least.

3pm: Leon
Director: Luc Besson
110 minutes
The film illustrates the widespread corruption inherent in the war on drugs and shows how many innocent bystanders suffer when you wage an unwinnable war on personal morals.

5.30pm: The Color Purple
Director: Steven Spielberg
154 minutes
An uneducated woman who was raped by her father, deprived of the children she bore him and forced to marry a brutal man she calls "Mister" is transformed by the friendship of two remarkable women, acquiring self-worth and the strength to forgive

Thurs 29^th – UK

1pm: Dark Days
94 minutes
Director: Marc Singer
Winner of 4 awards, Dark Days follows the lives of various homeless and drug addicted people living in the dark, deserted tunnels of New York's subway systems. The film's soundtrack was created by renowned artist, DJ Shadow.

5.30pm: Injustice
Directors: Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood
100 minutes
Injustice depicts the struggle for justice by the families of people that have died in police custody. Since 1969 more than one thousand people have died in custody in England. Not one police officer has ever been convicted for these deaths.

7.30pm: This is England
Director: Shane Meadows
101 minutes
Recession, Unemployment, An Imperialist war, a lot has changed since 1982!

Fri 30^th – Middle East

1pm: Paradise Now
Director:
90 minutes
Palestinians Said and Khaled have volunteered to be suicide bombers in Israel. When the action is postponed at the last minute they get the chance to think again about what they're about to do.

5.30pm: Heavy Metal in Bagdad
Directors: Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti
84 minutes
There is only 1 heavy metal band in Iraq. This is the story of them trying to stay together and stay alive!

8.00pm Taxi to the Dark Side
Director: Alex Gibney
106 minutes
An Oscar winning documentary that investigates the shocking mistreatment of United States' prisoners of war held in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay by probing the torture and death of Dilawar, an innocent Afghan cabdriver.

Portuguese Weekend Special

Sat 31st

15.00pm Napumoceno’s Will (O testamento do Senhor Napumoceno)
Director: Francisco Manso
108 min,
The film follows Napumoceno and his decision on the beneficiary of his will. The discovery of his illegitimate daughter leads him to leave her all his fortune and a series of tapes that reveal his life; letting his daughter get close to the father she never met.

7:30pm Widow and rich no longer a bitch (Viúva rica solteira não fica)
Dir. Director: José Fonseca e Costa
135 min,
Ana Catarina returns to Brazil to marry a man whom she does not know. She becomes a widow and an orphan and meets Adriano, a farmer whom she is not allowed to marry; later he returns a rich man.

Sun 1st

3pm Special surprise Brazilian film with an introductory talk by Dr. Stephani Dennison.
Specialist in Brazilian cinema, Portuguese Department, University of Leeds

7pm 20,13
Director: Joaquim Leitão
108 min

Week Two 2nd - 6th Feb

Mon 2^nd – Activism

1pm: No Lagers (No Detention)
39 mins.
An inspiring and powerful look at resistance to immigration detention centres from across Europe.

2pm: From the Top Down
38minutes
Director: Daniel Vockins
Students at Sussex explore what's going wrong with their university, why it's happening and what they can do to create change. What can students at Leeds learn from one of the most active groups of students in the country?

3.00pm: If you want you can
An positive documentary about a bunch of kids in Massachusetts who get together, organise punk shows, and just have FUN. If it doesn't make you want to get up and do something positive, then nothing will!

5.30: Yes Men
Directors: Dan Ollman, Sarah Price and Chris Smith
80 minutes
The Yes Men are a group of prankster activists who - by pretending to be the people they hate – expose the real agenda of the world’s worst organisations. This hilarious & inspiring documentary follows their actions against the WTO.

7.30: On the Verge
Directors: Smash EDO
90 minutes
Using activist, police and CCTV footage plus interviews with those involved in the campaign, On The Verge tells the story of one of the most persistent and imaginative campaigns to emerge out of the UK's anti-war movement and direct action scene.

Tues 3^rd – Human Rights

1pm: Youth and Revolution in Indonesia
35 minutes
In 1998 the US-backed Suharto dictatorship – infamous for massacring over 500,000 Indonesian communists – was smashed by a mass movement of students and workers. This documentary follows the revolutionary movement of 1998 and asks “how much have things really changed?”

2.30pm: Si Nos Dejan (If they let us)
72 minutes
Dir. Ana Torres
A documentary about migrants, made by migrants in Barcelona. A beautiful tragicomedy. We follow some great characters as their stories are woven together to leave us with a real sense of solidarity.

5.30pm: The Unwinking Gaze
Director: Joshua Dugdale
69 minutes
The Unwinking Gaze is an eye-opening documentary that follows the Dalai Lama over a period of three years 'showing the daily agonies of the Tibetan leader as he tries to strike a balance between his Buddhist vows and the realpolitik needed to placate China.

7.30pm: In prison my whole life
Director: Marc Evens
90 minutes
Activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal is the most famous and controversial Death Row inmate. This moving film is about the struggle for equality, fairness and respect, and provides insight into the subject of the death penalty.

Wed 4^th – Corporate Power

1pm: Black Gold
Directors: Marc and Nick Francis
78 minutes
As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price.

3pm McLibal
85 minutes
McLibal is the incredible true story of a postman and a gardener who took on McDonald's in a seven year legal battle since described as "the biggest corporate PR disaster in history". Depicts the courageous struggle by local residents of Mayo, Western Ireland, to get Shell's toxic refinery and gas pipeline out of their community.

5.30pm Lord of War
Director: Andrew Niccol
122 minutes
This brave black-as-coal comedy follows the story of a globetrotting arms dealer (Nicolas Cage) who struggles to stay one step ahead of a relentless Interpol agent (Ethan Hawke) while traveling through some of the deadliest war zones to supply some of the world’s most notorious dictators.

Thurs 5^th – Climate Change

1pm: Wake Up, Freak Out – then Get a Grip
Director: Leo
11 minutes
This really isn't about polar bears any more. At this very moment, the fate of civilization itself hangs in the balance. If this short animated film doesn’t make you wake up and freak out then nothing will!

3pm: Garbage Warrior
Director: Oliver Hodge
86 minutes
The epic story of radical Earthship eco architect Michael Reynolds, and his fight to build off-the-grid self-sufficient communities in New Mexico. An extraordinary tale of triumph over bureaucracy.

5.30pm: A Crude Awakening
Directors: Basil Gelpke, Ray MocCormack and Reto Caduff
85 minutes
Compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining, the film visits the world's top experts and comes to a startling, but logical conclusion – our industrial society, built on cheap and readily available oil, must be completely re-imagined and overhauled.

Friday 6^th – The Media

1pm: Collateral Damage
Directors: National Union of Journalists
11 minutes
The beacon of a free and democratic society is a free press, unhindered by intimidation, surveillance and violence. This hard-hitting short film tackles the modern problem of police surveillance of bona fide journalists who document political dissent.

5.30pm: Wag the Dog
Director: Barry Levinson
97 minutes
As a re-election approaches, rumors start that the US president has assaulted a young girl. To distract from the story, the president's spin doctor (Robert De Niro) hires a Hollywood director (Dustin Hoffman) to conjure up a war with Albania.

Saul Newman answers - Is democracy dead?

2008-11-28T02:44:00.000-08:00

LUU Film Festival

2008-11-19T06:50:00.001-08:00

The film screenings during the LUU Social Forum in October were very well attended. So, being the popularity fiend that i am, we've decided to host a full, two week film festival next term.

However, as I chose all the films last time I thought I should give you a turn.

So if you'd like to host a film during the fortnight that you think will galvinise the student populas into a mass of political activism and democratic engagement please email: campaigns@luu.leeds.ac.uk

or see what everyone else has suggested for some inspiration.

All submissions must be made by November 28th at 5pm so that promotion of this prestigous event can begin first thing after Christmas.

Stephen Coleman and Ruth Kinna on 'Is Democracy Dead?'

2008-11-12T02:42:00.000-08:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

SHELL BANNER DROP

2008-10-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

Student's dropped a banner from the roof of a Shell petrol station today as part of the afternoon of mass action and to mark the first day of black history month. The action called for shell to leave Nigeria where it is extracting oil in the Niger Delta.

Social Forum Flash Mob Fun!

2008-09-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

Every day this week during freshers there will be a flash mob to promote the social forum! Yesterday 15 people dressed in goggles, masks, snorkels and flippers made there way through the union warning that "the world is flooding".

Check out what's happening for the rest of the week here: Fun

download your paper plane template here: plane.pdf

The final line up....

2008-08-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

The schedule for the forum is now confirmed as follows. This means full scale promotion of the event can begin. Hopefully all the press we receive will be as good as this - YEP article

MONDAY - POVERTY

12.30 - Peanut Gallery - Students Vs Corporate Power - People and Planet
Hannah Greenslade and Adam Ramsey explain how Britain's largest student network People and Planet have challenged corporations that have threatened to increase poverty, human rights abuses and environmental devastation since 1969!

14.00 - Peanut Gallery - What is a social centre and how do we build one - Dr Paul Chatterton
Dr Paul Chatterton from the Autonomous Geographies project at the University of Leeds will explain what a social centre is, what role it plays and why Leeds University needs one. Our very own social centre, the Peanut Gallery, will host many of the events during the social forum but needs to be rebuilt and need you to do it!

15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Corporation - Film Showing
Winner of 26 international awards this film promised to do to Corporations what Jaws did to sharks.

17.30 - Intro Tent - Western finance: creating poverty or solving it? - Nick Dearden Jubilee Debt Campaign, James O'nions World Development Movement and David Hall-Matthews
Nick Dearden, James O'nions and David Hall-Matthews (University of Leeds) explore how debt, trade and finance act as a means of controlling the developing world economies and creating poverty.

19.30 - Intro Tent - Open Mic Night
Bring anything you can put a mic next to and have a go!

TUESDAY – CLIMATE CHANGE

11.00 - Peanut Gallery – How to grow your own vegtables – Isabel Swift - Volunterring and Community Leeds.
The price of food, dissatisfaction with supermarkets and growing environmental concern is leading more people than ever back to the humble allotment. This practical workshop will show you how to make your own compost, grow salad leaves on your windowsill and get involved in the Oxley greenhouse project.

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - How to use the media - Jess Worth New Internationalist Editor
Using the press can be the key to a successful campaign. Co-Editor of leading independent media group New Internationalist explains how.

13.00 - Peanut Gallery - Why we need direct action to tackle climate change - Student Climate Project
The Student Climate Project is an open network of students who came together at the Heathrow Climate Camp in 2007. Their aim is simple: they want to see a mass student uprising against climate change, that is both creative and radical. If you share this aim then get involved.

15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 1.
Just take a look at your energy bills, the price of oil has rocketed over the last 12 months dragging everything else with it. Can life carry on following the collapse of cheap fuel? It did in cuba. This fascinating and empowering film shows how communities pulled together, created solutions, and ultimately thrived in spite of their decreased dependence on imported energy.

17.30 - Intro Tent - What should we do about climate change? - John Battle (MP), Asad Rehman Friends of the Earth, Paul Chatterton, George Munson Climate Change Officer Leeds City Council
Paul Chatterton, George Munson and Asad Rehman discuss what to do about what the United Nations are calling the most serioius threat facing humanity

20.00 - Peanut Gallery - Rob Newman: History of Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 2.
History of Oil: Robert Newman gets to grips with the wars and politics of the last hundred years - but rather than adhering to the history we were fed at school, this show places oil centre stage as the cause of all commotion. This innovative history programme is based around Robert Newman's hilarious stand-up act.

WEDNESDAY – STUDENT ISSUES

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - What to do about shit landlords - Landlord Action Network
Last year the Landlord Action Network (LAN) was formed to help deal with a certain Leeds landlord who withheld £80,000 from students in deposit money. If you're sick of trouble Landlords making student's life's hell then LAN is for you!

12.00 - Riley Smith Hall - Fees: Your course could cost £10,000 - Aaron Porter NUS, Neal Lawson Compass and Danny Adilypour
In 2009 the government will review the current fees system. They may decide to allow Universities to charge as much as £10,000 per year in fees and rocketing student debt to unprecedented levels. Aaron Porter (National Union of Students) Neal Lawson (Compass) and Daniel Adilypour (Education Officer LUU) will explain the problems with the current system and what we need to do to change it!

14.30 - Everywhere - Afternoon of Mass Action!
Join in the fees stunt following the talk at 12.30pm or take action on an issue that matters to you and then post pictures of what you've done on www.peanutpress.org

19.30 - Peanut Gallery - Camden 28
The Camden 28 were a group of Anti-Vietnam War student activists who in 1971 planned and executed a raid on a Camden, New Jersey draft board. The raid resulted in a high-profile trial against the activists that was seen by many as a referendum on the Vietnam War.

THURSDAY – DEMOCRACY

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - NO2ID Leeds presents: Taking Liberties
Leeds No2ID present Taking Liberties: Taking Liberties examines the government’s systematic erosion of our civil liberties since 1997 through sometimes shocking, always true, real life stories

13.00 - Peanut Gallery - What's the Point in Voting? - Debate hosted by Democ Soc
Democ Society will be teaming up with Green Action to debate the relative benefits of using voting and consensus to make decisions then go on to explore the relative manifestations of this question for the Union and wider society. This lively, informal debate is open to everyone and should provide food for thought for the main plenary session at 5.00pm.

14.30 - Peanut Gallery - John Pilger: The War on Democracy - Film Showing
The War on Democracy' was John Pilger's first major film for the cinema. Set in Latin America and the US, it explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile.

17.00 - Intro Tent - Is Democracy Dead - Stephen Coleman, Ruth Kinna and Saul Newman
In 1950 83% of those eligible to do in the UK voted in the general election. By 2001 less than 60% of the population took up this constitutional right. Are people loosing faith in the system or are they just indifferent? Do we really need elected representatives and if we do, do we still trust them? Stephen Coleman (Leeds University), Saul Newman (Goldsmiths University) and Ruth Kinna (Loughborough University) will be examining these important questions and asking you to do the same.

19.00 - Old Bar - Political Pub Quiz
The classic old bar quiz has been specially adapted for the week of the social forum.

FRIDAY – HUMAN RIGHTS

11.30 – Intro Tent – Recruiters of Death: Keep the military off our campus – Revolution.
University College London were successful in banning the military from union events. Two students from UCL, key to the campaign, will be speaking about the reasons behind the recent military recruitment drive and the deceitful techniques used against working class youth as well as how we can win a similar victory for the anti-war movement at Leeds University

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - No Borders: Justice for Asylum Seekers - John Ward
John Ward from No Boarders Leeds provides an exciting and informative introduction to asylum campaigns in Leeds and how you can get involved.

13.00 - Intro Tent - Iraq: who's profiting and how can you stop them? Nadia Idle War on Want, Ewa Jasiewicz Hands Off Iraqi Oil and Matthew Waddington student activist
Nadia Idle (War on Want), Ewa Jasiewicz (Hands Off Iraqi Oil) and Matthew Waddington (Student activist) will be revealing the firms and individuals who have made spectacular profits off the carnage in Iraq, what they've done to counter this so far and how you can join them

14.30 - Peanut Gallery - The Truth isn't sexy presents: Lilya 4 ever - Film Showing
Lilya 4-Ever is an unremittingly brutal and realistic story of the downward spiral of Lilya, a girl in the former Soviet Union, whose mother abandons her to move to the United States. Based on a true story this film examines the issue of sex trafficking and sexual slavery. Jacinta Kent from The truth isn't sexy will attend to introduce the film and hold a discussion afterwards.

15.00 - Intro Tent - Creative Campaigning - Dan Jones Amnesty International
Dan Jones, creative campaigning megastar from Amnesty International shares top creative campaign tips.

20.30 - Intro Tent - Party - Throw Parties Not Punches
Leeds University Societies Amnesty International, Tibet Society, Students Against War and Palestinian Solidarity group bring you a night of heavy dubs, soulful melodies and powerful rhythms. Also featuring film showings, locally renowned cake and cultural performances. Come dance your feet off for a good cause among good people!

I WANT CHANGE

2008-08-28T00:16:00.001-07:00

Peanut Press

2008-08-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

LUU has helped a small group of students to set up a new website called Peanut Press. Set to launch during the LUU Social Forum, the site aims to act as an open space for independent journalism and inclusive interaction in Leeds.

Designed along the lines of existing websites such as Indymedia, the Peanut Press will use open publishing to allow all its users to produce the news collectively, rather than it being the job of a small group. By doing this it is hoped that students at Leeds will learn more from each other and many issues and discussions that were previously suppressed will become visible and available.

The Peanut Press will embrace the same values of ethical inclusively, responsibility and action as its older sister the Peanut Gallery. This means that the collective of volunteers who run the site will act as editors to remove material that compromises these values by containing personalised abuse, discrimination or hate speech.

If you would like to get more involved in helping to run the Peanut Press or would like to post your stories on the site then please email rob@peanutpress.org

And remember, “We don’t have hate the media, we can be the media”

The latest line up

2008-08-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

With a month and a half to go, arrangements for the social forum are beginning to be finalised. This means we have times, venues and even a logo.

Monday - Poverty

12.30 - Peanut Gallery - Students Vs Corporate Power - People and Planet
14.00 - Peanut Gallery - What is a social centre and how do we build one - Dr Paul Chatterton
15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Corporation - Film Showing
17.30 - Intro Tent - Western finance: creating poverty or solving it - Nick Dearden Jubilee Debt Campaign, James O'nions World Development Movement and David Hall-Matthews
19.30 - Intro Tent - Open Mic Night

Tuesday - Climate Change

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - Aviation, climate change and challenging airport expansion - No Leeds Bradford Airport Expansion
12.00 - Peanut Gallery - How to use the media - Jess Worth New Internationalist Editor
13.00 - Peanut Gallery - Why we need direct action to tackle climate change - Student Climate Project
15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 1.
17.30 - Intro Tent - What should we do about climate change? - Asad Rehman Friends of the Earth, Paul Chatterton
20.00 - Peanut Gallery - Rob Newman: History of Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 2.

Wednesday - Student Action

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - What to do about shit landlords - Landlord Action Network
12.00 - Riley Smith Hall - Fees: Your course could cost £10,000 - Aaron Porter NUS and Danny Adilypour
14.30 - Everywhere - Afternoon of Mass Action!
19.30 - Peanut Gallery - Camden 28

Thursday - Democracy

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - NO2ID Leeds presents: Taking Liberties
13.00 - Peanut Gallery - What's the Point in Voting? Debate hosted by Democ Soc & Green Action
14.30 - Peanut Gallery - John Pilger: The War on Democracy - Film Showing
17.00 - Intro Tent - Is Democracy Dead - Stephen Coleman, Ruth Kinna and Saul Newman
19.00 - Old Bar - Political Pub Quiz

Friday - Human Rights

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - No Borders: Justice for Asylum Seekers - John Ward
13.00 - Intro Tent - Iraq: who's profiting and how can you stop them? Nadia Idle War on Want, Ewa Jasiewicz Hands Off Iraqi Oil and Matthew Waddington
14.30 - Peanut Gallery - The Truth isn't sexy presents: Lilya 4 ever - Film Showing
15.00 - Intro Tent - Creative Campaigning - Dan Jones Amnesty International
20.30 - Intro Tent - Party - Throw Parties Not Punches

fitter, happier, more productive...

2008-08-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

The story so far...

In March 2008, with help from Campaign & Democracy Support, a group of students at Leeds University Union (LUU) got together to create their very own social centre, now known as the Peanut Gallery.

Join the Peanut Gallery Facebook group!

Like other social centres, the Peanut Gallery provides a space to discuss ideas, plan strategic and effective actions, nurture grass-roots campaigns and promote alternative ways of living based on autonomy, solidarity and mutual aid.

Then the trouble started...

LUU finances began to look gloomy...

Leeds University couldn't help the Union.

Things were looking pretty bad.

Then, Banco Santander made an offer.

They proposed a new partnership with the University. They wanted to provide financial services to international students. So, they offered the Union a large sum of money to get a space in the Union. And guess which space they chose?

That's right - the Peanut Gallery.

A difficult decision was made.

Now, if all goes to plan Banco Santander will be moving into the space in the not too distant future...

But do not despair...

We've been offered a much better new space with:

A separate kitchen:

A separate meeting room:

A bigger cafe area with more space for computers:

The potential for a permanent cinema:

And a big storage space:

Plus, the money from Santander means there won't be LUU job cuts.

Everyone's really keen we keep a space for the Peanut Gallery in the Union, especially as the Common Place in Leeds' city centre is having problems and may have to close.

So during LUU Social Forum...

...we can rebuild the Peanut Gallery! This will be a great opportunity to introduce new students to the space, give them a sense of ownership, ensure there's enough volunteers to keep the space up and running for next year and make the new Peanut Gallery even better than the last!

Dr Paul Chatterton from the TRAPESE (Taking Radical Action through Popular Education and Sustainable Everything) collective will be running a workshop: "What is a social centre and how do you build one?" at 2pm in the new Peanut Gallery on day one of the LUU Social Forum.

So come along and get involved!

What's On...

2008-06-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

Below is the first draft of what will be happening at the LUU social forum. Some of it's confirmed, some of it isn't. If you'd like to get involved in organising the event; want to run a stall, workshop or have any requests, objections or support to offer get in touch.

How does it work?

The week is arranged so every day is themed around a certain issue. Each day will feature speakers and workshops explaining an issue alongside students who've taken effective action to change the situation for the better.

Monday 29/09/2008 - Poverty

Speakers: Nick Dearden - Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, James O'Nions- World Development Movement

Workshops: Adam Ma'anit - New Internationalist - Using the Media

Students: Hannah Greenslade - People and Planet, Stop Aids

Film: The Corporation, Bamako

Entertainment: Open Mic

Tuesday 30/09/2008 - Climate Change

Speakers: Asad Rehman - Friends of the Earth, Jess Worth - New Internationalist

Workshops: George Monbiot Vs Paul Chatterton - Is legislation the answer?

Students: Stephan Halpin - People and Planet

Film: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil, An Inconvenient Truth

Entertainment: Rob Newman - History of Oil

Wednesday 01/10/2008 - Student Focus

Speakers: Wes Streeting - NUS

Students: Zoe Roberts - How to take over a Refectory, Rebecca Collins - How to take on your Landlord

Film - Camden 28

Entertainment: LUU Game of Life

Thursday 02/10/2008 - Is Democracy Dead?

Speakers: Stephen Coleman Leeds University, Ricardo Blaug Leeds University, Ruth Kinna Nottingham University, Saul Newman Goldsmiths University

Student Workshops: Democ Soc - Why we should vote, Green Action - Working without leaders

Films: The War on Democracy, Taking Liberties

Entertainment: Mark Thomas

Friday 03/10/2008 - Human Rights

Speakers: Nadia Idle - War on Want, Ewa Jasiewicz - Hands off Iraqi Oil

Workshops: Amnesty International - Creative Campaigning

Students: John Ward - No Borders, Mathew Waddington Hands of Iraqi Oil

Films: Lilya 4eva

Entertainment: Parties Not Punches

P.S - I've asked Mr X to attend. Am still awaiting his reply...

Why have an LUU Social Forum?

2008-06-03T08:53:00.001-07:00

Next Monday i will have worked as LUU's Campaigns and Democracy Support Manager for exactly 7 months. Aside from the huge paypacket, I took the job because I thought wow...this place has over 30,000 young, intelligent members who must, like me, have concerns about the world we live in...maybe together we could do something awesome?

People say to me..."but James it's not your job to decide what issues the Union campaigns on" as if I might be approached by a 400-strong block of students who want me to help ensure the University increase its carbon footprint or the Union support a campaign to make the government build more nuclear weapons (maybe spending $4bn a year is enough?) I'm still waiting to hear from those people...

There is a basic common morality to the campaign activity that I've seen at LUU. This morality is one reflected by the activists, NGOs and Social Movements that I've encountered in wider civil society. Very few people believe in the exploitation of people or the environment for the benefit of the few, precisely for that reason - it only benefits the few.

The invite-only, World Economic Forum is by definition, for the selected few. In stark contrast to this, Social Forums across the world are characterised by plurality, diversity and decentralised coordination. Anyone can attend, take part, share their experiences, ideas and meet other people who they can work with to change the world for the better. Should LUU have one of these for its members? Sounds pretty good to me...