Saturday 15 November 2014

One World Fair, Saturday 22 November 2014

It is now less than one week to the 25th One World Fair, to be held at Oxford Town Hall on Saturday 22nd November. We are all excited that this is the 25th year for this event, where you can meet and mingle with a lot of the social action groups in and around Oxford.  Along with the chance to network and do a little pre-Christmas shopping, we also have our famous cafe where you can enjoy some tasty soup and home baking accompanied by some cool tunes from Nick Gill and friends.

We have a good selection of different organizations coming to the fair, and there are still some stalls available. So if you would like to book one, or know somebody who might be interested, please get in touch on 01865 761697 /  or by email (oxfamowf@gmail.com). The stalls are very good value for money - £25 for non-profit making, £35 for profit-making - and enable you to be part of a long-established, successful and positive event which sees more than 1,000 visitors coming through the doors every year.

Similarly if any members or supporters can help out on the day, or with making food, please contact Tim and Jan Treacher (treachers@phonecoop.coop). Many hands make light work ... !

Sunday 10 August 2014

Gaza street collection













A Gaza emergency collection has been organised by volunteer Claire Conway. Plenty of help is needed to raise as much money as possible, so if you are free for an hour (or more) this coming Saturday, 23 August any time between 10 am and 4 pm, please contact Claire on emergencyfundraisingoxford@gmail.com or comment on her post on the Oxford Oxfam Group Facebook page.

Here is some information on Oxfam's response to the crisis. As you will probably know, a Disasters and Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal has been called, so Oxfam's fundraising is as part of that appeal. You can also ask your friends and colleagues to donate online, or at any Oxfam shop and at banks.

Friday 11 July 2014

Getting ready for OWF 2014

Despite all the excitement of Wimbledon, the World Cup, and the latest Test Match in Cricket, we are feeling enthusiastic about hosting The Oxfam One World Fair on Saturday 22nd November 2014.

The Oxford Oxfam Group is proud to present the 25th One World Fair at Oxford Town Hall. As last year, all profits this year will go towards Oxfam's Syria Crisis Appeal. In the three years that this crisis has been ongoing, Oxfam has helped almost a million (1,000,000) refugees; up to 600,000 people in Syria, as well as 330,000 in neighbouring Lebanon and Jordan. We are providing both food aid and sanitation facilities.

Our fair at Oxford Town Hall will have around 50 stalls selling the best in crafts, Fair Trade produce, seasonal gifts and toys. We will also have a vegetarian café and live music. Doors are open between 10am and 4pm. Entry is 50p, but free for children and seniors.

We are still looking for people to help us, in getting ready for the event and on the day. We definitely need someone to help co-ordinate the ever-popular cafe. So if you are able to help, please let us know by dropping an email to Tim and Jan Treacher

Friday 18 October 2013

Get ready for the One World Fair 2013

Oxford Town Hall will be hosting The Oxfam One World Fair on Saturday 16th November 2013.

The Oxford Oxfam Group is proud to present the 24th One World Fair at Oxford Town Hall. All profits this year will go towards Oxfam's Syria Crisis Appeal. Oxfam has already helped 200,000 refugees and we are aiming to reach up to 650,000 people in Syria, as well as in neighbouring Lebanon and Jordan. We are providing both food aid and sanitation facilities.

Our fair at Oxford Town Hall will havearound 50 stalls selling the best in crafts, Fair Trade produce, seasonal gifts and toys. We will also have a vegetarian café and live music. Doors are open between 10am and 4pm. Entry is 50p, but free for children and seniors.

Friday 12 July 2013

OOG lobbies Andrew Smith MP on corporate tax dodgers

This afternoon at 2 pm, members of the Oxford Oxfam Group lobbied Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, dressed as George Osbournes!

Borrowing the costumes from Oxfam HQ, we dressed as the Chancellor to protest that, despite the positive noises made at June's G8 summit, nothing has actually been done to stop powerful global companies avoiding paying tax in developing countries, money which is vitally needed to overcome poverty. In fact, a recent amendment to the UK's Finance Bill which would have made it harder for companies to avoid paying tax in developing countries was overturned.

Chris Garrard, a student campaigner with Oxfam, said:

‘We've dressed as George Osborne to highlight that it is the treasury who need to take the lead on making company ownership information public. Many large companies have set-up and use ‘phantom firms’, dummy businesses where they avoid tax by stashing away profits overseas. Proposed amendments to the recent finance bill that would have started to tackle this issue were defeated but with the backing of local MPs like Andrew, we can apply the pressure to make sure the call for change isn't ignored.’

The ‘Enough Food IF’ campaign is raising the issue of tax dodging as just one of the root causes of why 1 billion people around the world go hungry every day. Developing countries currently lose more every year through various forms of ‘tax dodging’ than they receive in aid – more than enough money to end global hunger twice over. Andrew agreed to raise our concern with the government, having already supported the Enough Food for Everyone...IF campaign at its Oxford launch back in January.

The Enough Food For Everyone...IF coalition is asking supporters to Tweet David Cameron to stop 'phantom' companies being set up purely to avoid paying tax. If you use Twitter, please take this action.

Naturally, straight after our lobby meeting, we Tweeted, and put a link up on OOG's Facebook page, so please share if you can!

Monday 13 May 2013

Anniversary walk this Sunday

We had our final workgroup meeting last night and are all set for Sunday's walk. We'll have route booklets, water and cereal bars for the walkers and an opportunity to buy raffle tickets (to win some fantastic prizes!), OOG anniversary badges and cake after the walk.

Please join us (registration 10-11am at St Ebbe's School, Whitehouse Road, OX1 4NA) this Sunday for an 11-mile stroll to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary. Entry fee is £5 (concessions £3) and no sponsorship is required.

St Ebbe's School – Folly Bridge – Kennington – Bagley Wood – Bayworth – Sunningwell – Boars Hill – Chilswell Farm – South Hinksey – South Oxford Community Centre

Friday 3 May 2013

Oxford Oxfam Anniversary Walk

We turned 25 years old this week and have received birthday cards from lots of different groups and supporters. It's now just over 2 weeks till our anniversary walk on Sunday 19th May. The weather's finally started to improve so we've got everything crossed for a fine day. Please join us for an 11-mile stroll starting at St Ebbe's School between 10-11am. Contact racheliliffe@yahoo.co.uk to register your interest or just turn up on the day! No sponsorship is required and the entry fee is £5 (concessions £3). St Ebbe's School – Folly Bridge – Kennington – Bagley Wood – Bayworth – Sunningwell – Boars Hill – Chilswell Farm – South Hinksey – South Oxford Community Centre