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Blog: Uncategorized
Staff perspective: How mass incarceration harms U.S. health, in five charts
Last week, Emily Nagisa Keehn, Associate Director of HRP's Academic Program, and J. Wesley Boyd, J. Wesley Boyd, Faculty, Center for Bioethics and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, co-authored a compelling Op-Ed in The Conversation, examining how mass incarceration harms U.S. health. They write in part:
"Each year, an estimated 1,000 people die while incarcerated in U.S. jails, most of whom were unconvicted. Suicide rates for incarcerated people is 3-4 times higher than the general population. To us, the evidence is clear: Mass incarceration is a public health scourge in the U.S. The only reasonable response is to limit the unnecessary use of incarceration across the board."
This commentary comes on the heels of a two-day conference, "Behind Bars: Ethics and Human Rights in U.S. Prisons." which Emily helped to organize on behalf of HRP late last year. That conference, co-sponsored by the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, and the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, explored a range of topics, from treatment of pregnant women in prison to health care workers in prison to the psychopathological effects of solitary confinement.
Here's a slideshow of the event (with photographs by Lipofsky.com), along with the keynote speech by Danielle Allen, Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University and
James Bryant Conant University Professor.
Student Perspectives on Working in the International Human Rights Clinic
We're so pleased to reprint below two student perspectives on the International Human Rights Clinic, published recently on the blog for the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs. First, Salomé Gómez Upegui LL.M. '18, reflects on her work on women's rights in the Arab world. Next, Zeineb Bouraoui LL.M. '18, describes her work on detention-related abuses in Yemen. Both students worked under the supervision of clinical instructor Salma Waheedi.
Great work, all!
My Time at the International Human Rights Clinic
by Gómez Upegui LL.M. '18
I believe in law as an instrument for social change, and I came to Harvard interested in focusing on that. A year is not much time, and as any LL.M. student can confirm, we all suffer from "fear of missing out". I'm happy to say the International Human Rights Clinic, was perfect to curb this fear. In a short time I was able to do so much more than I expected. It was a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, while engaging in public service, and making a difference.
Salomé Gómez Upegui LL.M. '18
Women's rights are something I particularly care about, and when I got into this clinic I was eager to learn more about how International Human Rights Law is relevant to feminism. Thankfully, I joined Salma Waheedi's team for a project on this subject, and my expectations were exceeded. We worked in coordination with Musawah, an NGO advocating for equality of Muslim women. In this project, creative thinking was at the center; using comparative law, alternative interpretations of Islamic law, and human rights standards, we drafted thematic shadow reports on women's rights for the Committee of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. I had the opportunity to travel to Geneva and participate in the 68th CEDAW Session at the United Nations, where the reports we drafted where presented. This trip was a rare chance to network and learn first-hand how international institutions, governments, and NGOs serve to advance (or sometimes set-back) feminist agendas.
The International Human Rights Clinic allowed me to strengthen fundamental lawyering skills. I especially enjoyed learning innovative advocacy strategies, and I have to say I was happily surprised by the people I met. Working alongside individuals with such passion and dedication to human rights was the highlight of this experience. I felt part of something meaningful from day one, there is a real sense of community, and the value of teamwork is constantly stressed. In a world where individuality is the rule, this was an exceptionally wonderful learning environment, and I'm so grateful to have been part of it.
"Advancing Human Rights in the Middle East"
by Zeineb Bouraoui LL.M. '18
Following the escalation of the Syrian Civil War in 2012, I began working for the Syrian American Medical Society in Washington DC, assisting Syrian refugees in emigrating to the United States, mainly through public policy initiatives. This experience greatly influenced my desire to apply to law school. I was craving the opportunity to acquire effective tools that would allow me to fight back against the injustices that outraged me and to advance economic and social equality in my native region, the Middle East and North Africa.
Zeineb Bouraoui LL.M. '18
At Sciences Po Law School, I focused my studies on international investment law and economic development, and graduated in 2016 with a masters' degree in Economic Law and Global Business Law and Governance. I then started working at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, working on policy coordination efforts in order to help governments resist protectionist pressures and develop effective policies to respond to legal concerns raised by international investment.
It was especially important to me to pursue my commitment to advance human rights in the MENA region at Harvard Law School, leveraging the numerous tools that the university provides to its students, in order to conduct the most effective research, and hope to have the most effective impact on the region.
At the International Human Rights Clinic, I am working on the Yemen project. My team, led by Salma Waheedi, is contributing to a Human Rights Watch report on the growth of the missing file in Yemen. Since 2014, Yemen has become home to one of the most violent non-international armed conflicts in the world. Egregious human rights violations are being committed there on a daily basis. My team focuses mainly on investigating detention-related abuses currently being carried out by all sides to the conflict. We are in the process of mapping the network of secret prisons, and outlining the human rights abuses committed in them. We will then determine the international legal obligations of state and non-state actors involved in the conflict, and investigate enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings.
The Clinic constituted an eye-opening experience to me, allowing me to understand firsthand the challenges that human rights lawyers and activists are routinely facing with funding, media outreach and advocacy, or even the simple act of gathering accurate and reliable information. It was particularly challenging to work on a non-international armed conflict, as raising awareness on a conflict happening on the other side of the world, with very little interest for the United States can be at times frustrating.
I particularly enjoyed conducting in-depth factual research and interacting with local Yemeni NGOs such as Mwatana, which are doing an incredible job in producing exhaustive accounts of the human rights violations committed throughout the course of the civil war, often at the peril of their lives.
Student Perspectives,
UPDATED: New Information Conflicts with Syrian Human Rights Filmmaker's Reported Assassination Attempt
UPDATE: Since we posted this statement, new information has come to light which appears to contradict the widely reported story that Muhammad Bayazid was stabbed in an assassination attempt. More on that in The Guardian and the BBC.
The International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School is shocked and saddened by news of the reported assassination attempt on Syrian filmmaker Muhammad Bayazid, whom we hosted – along with his wife and partner in filmmaking, Samah Safi Bayazid – only days earlier for a discussion with our students. They were here in conjunction with a co-sponsored screening of two of their award-winning short films, "Fireplace" and "Orshena." Bayazid was stabbed in the chest in Turkey on Tuesday night, as he sought funds for his new film project detailing Assad regime's abuses at notorious Tadmur prison.
"When we chose this life we knew what it meant, because we aren't from places like America where we can express our opinions," Samah Safi Bayazid told the Guardian Newspaper. "It's very hard if you're an Arab to fight against oppression, your life is always in danger. He was stabbed and I nearly had a stroke just because we wanted to do a film on human rights."
Our thoughts and prayers are with Muhammad, Samah, and their family and we wish him a speedy recovery. We would also like to express our support of his work in exposing human rights violations and shedding light on the devastating humanitarian cost of the Syrian crisis, and urge a full and proper investigation of this incident.
The attempt on Muhammad Bayazid's life was the latest in a series of attacks that took place in Turkey targeting outspoken supporters of the Syrian opposition. Last month, prominent Syrian opposition activist Orouba Barakat and her journalist daughter Hala Barakat were stabbed to death in Istanbul. Other victims in the past two years include Syrian journalists and anti-Isis activists Naji Jarf and Zaher Al-Shurqat.
For more details on the incident, read this article in The Guardian or this piece on the BBC.
Today, Oct. 2: The Syrian Crisis in Film
"The Syrian Crisis in Film:
Two Award-Winning Short Narratives"
Join us for the screening of two short films inspired by true events of the Syrian war. "Fireplace" (2017) and "Orshena" (2016) both recount tales of the devastating human consequences of war and give deep intellectual insights into the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with award-winning directors Muhammad Bayazid and Samah Safi Bayazid.
In "Fireplace," a 12-minute film, it is Christmas Eve in Syria; a small child plays hide and seek with his dad and picks the most unexpected place to hide in: the fireplace. Within a few seconds, a jet fighter bombards their house to the ground. The fireplace stands still; however, the small child finds himself trapped alone.
In "Orshena," which means "Land of Peace" in the ancient Syriac language, an old man loses his youngest daughter while migrating to Europe on a rubber boat. The accident changes his life forever. He keeps imagining his daughter everywhere he goes, while trying to make peace with himself.
This event is co-sponsored by ILSP: Law and Social Change, the Human Rights Program, and the Criminal Justice Program at Harvard Law School
HRP Welcomes New Staff and Visiting Fellows
Now that the semester is underway, we want to extend our warmest welcome to all of the new staff and Visiting Fellows at the Human Rights Program. They are, in a word, fantastic.
Debbie Frempong, the new Program Assistant for the International Human Rights Clinic, comes to us from Harvard Divinity School, where she graduated with an MTS in Religion, Politics and Ethics. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy and Politics from Pomona College.
Debbie Frempong and Dana Walters, the new program assistants at HRP.
Debbie is taking on many of the responsibilities previously held by Katherine Young, who until recently worked as Program Associate. This summer, she was promoted to Program Manager, in charge of administrative management of the International Human Rights Clinic and the financial administration of the Human Rights Program.
Dana Walters, the new Program Assistant for the Academic Program, comes to us from the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard, where she was a coordinator, and the Atlantic Media Company, where she was a fellow. Dana holds a B.A. in English and American Literatures from Middlebury College and an M.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago, where she was previously pursuing a doctorate.
This semester, we're also so pleased to welcome three Visiting Fellows. Continue Reading…
Moving On: Gabriela Gonzalez Follett to Explore the World
Posted by Cara Solomon
Yesterday, when we converged on Harvard's campus to protest the end of DACA—when we listened to stories of pain and resistance; when we snapped our support; when we linked our arms, and chanted together, several hundred strong—one person was missing.
That person was Gabriela Gonzalez Follett, who never missed a fight for the rights of other people in her three years with us, first as Program Assistant, and later Program Coordinator. She left HLS last Friday, headed to teach English to children in a small Spanish town.
We could say that Gabriela was superb at her job, and it would be true. She organized nearly 100 events in her three years at the Human Rights Program, including conferences on everything from the role of African women in the post-2015 Development Agenda to climate change displacement and human rights. She became a master of managing the moving parts: speakers flying in from around the globe, last-minute technical breakdowns, calming the community's fraying nerves.
On a daily basis, she supported the ever-changing needs of several clinical instructors; the staff of the Academic program; the Visiting Fellows; and hundreds of students seeking guidance on everything from the fellowship process to clerkship letters.
But now that Gabriela has officially left HRP, her job performance is not what many of us will remember.
We will remember her power.
In her speech on Class Day 2016, Gabriela Gonzalez Follett, described her mother, Nohra, as having wisdom, power and magic that others did not always see.
Like so many great stories, Gabriela's has an arc. By her own telling, she came to Harvard Law School intimidated, feeling less than the sum of her considerable parts. But she pushed past that feeling, followed her curiosity, and sat in on clinical seminars, collecting all the knowledge she could.
Then, when a crisis point came—the non-indictment of a white police officer, Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, in Ferguson, Missouri—Gabriela quickly rose to meet the need. She reached out to students of color—not just as a friendly face in the office, but as a friend. In public and in private, on the job and off, she showed up in ways that went late into the night, and made others feel less alone.
One of those students, Keaton Allen-Gessesse, JD '16, returned the favor nearly a year later, when the community gathered yet again to discuss racial equity on campus, in the aftermath of someone—or some people—defacing the portraits of black professors. In her comments, Keaton used her privilege as a student to raise concerns about the treatment of staff of color, a community that had gone overlooked in the discussion to that point.
Gabriela, inspired, rose to represent. She spoke about her own experience as a woman of color on campus—about the stereotypes that flew around her, and at her, and about the differences in the way she saw staff or color treated. When she finished speaking, she had become a leader in what became Reclaim Harvard Law School, a movement of students and staff pushing for institutional change and racial equity in education.
Gabriela spent the next several months strengthening the ties between students of color and staff of color while working tirelessly for the movement overall. At nights and on weekends, she sat through hours-long meetings, helping to substantively shape the content of the movement's demands and manifesto. She hosted workshops; led art-actions; wrote an Op-Ed; coordinated critical email lists; spoke at community forums. She organized "family dinners" for staff of color. She slept overnight with the students in Belinda Hall, the student lounge the movement renamed in honor of Belinda Sutton, a former slave of HLS benefactor Isaac Royall.
And so it was that, less than two years into her time at HLS, Gabriela received the ultimate honor from HLS students: their Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Appreciation Award. (See video of her speech below.)
Gabriela would continue to support the Reclaim movement in ways small and large, right up until the day she left HLS. But it is hard to shake the power of her image on Class Day, rising to speak, and draping the traditional cloth from her mother's homeland over the dais before she began—a woman completely at home, and entirely her own.
Thank you for the inspiration, Gabbie—and for the many gifts you brought to our door.
For more on the decades-old racial justice movement at HLS, see this timeline. For selected coverage of the recent movement, including Op-Eds by students, staff and faculty, see here.
Wednesday, Nov. 30: "A Conversation with the Honourable Irwin Cotler"
A Conversation with the Honourable Irwin Cotler
Please join us for a conversation with the Honourable Irwin Cotler, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and international human rights lawyer. Professor Cotler has been called "Counsel for the Oppressed" and "Freedom's Counsel" by Canada's MacLeans Magazine and the Oslo Freedom Forum, respectively. He was Canadian Counsel for Nelson Mandela and main counsel for former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky, and was a law professor at McGill University. Professor Cotler is the recipient of eleven honorary doctorates and various awards including the Order of Canada, which is Canada's highest civillian honor, and the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation's Centennial Medal.
This event is organized by the Harvard Canadian Law Students Association and is co-sponsored by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, HLS Advocates for Human Rights, the Human Rights Program, and ACS. Lunch will be provided.
TODAY: Screening and Discussion of "No Más Bebés"
"No Más Bebés":
A Film Screening and Discussion with Renee Tajima-Peña
4:00- 7:00 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required here.
Photo credit: Alva Helms
Please join us for a film screening and discussion of No Más Bebés, which tells the story of a landmark event in reproductive justice, when a small group of Mexican immigrant women sued county doctors, the state, and the U.S. government after they were pushed into sterilizations while giving birth at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center during the 1960s and 70s.
This screening will be followed by a discussion with Harvard University alumnus and Director, Renee Tajima-Peña. Professor Tajima-Peña is an Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker whose films on immigration, race and social issues include Who Killed Vincent Chin?, My America…or Honk if You Love Buddha, Labor Women, The New Americans, and Calavera Highway. She is currently the Director of the Center of EthnoCommunications at UCLA, where she is a professor and holds an endowed chair in Japanese American Studies.
This event was organized by the Asian American Studies Working Group and the Latina/o Studies Working Group in EMR, and co-sponsored by Observatory of the Instituto Cervantes, The Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, Committee on Degrees in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, The Latino Medical Student Association, and The Harvard Chan Women, Gender and Health Interdisciplinary Concentration
Joint Clinic Report: Company's Remedies for Rape in Papua New Guinea Deeply Flawed
Company's Remedies for Rape in Papua New Guinea Deeply Flawed
Legal experts at Columbia and Harvard law schools find major deficiencies with remedies given by multinational company to women raped by its security guards
Geneva & New York, November 19, 2015—A controversial process created by one of the world's largest gold mining companies to compensate women for rapes and gang rapes in Papua New Guinea was deeply flawed, said human rights investigators and legal experts at Columbia and Harvard Law Schools in a study released today.
The three-year study of Barrick Gold's remedy mechanism at its Porgera gold mine found that the effort to provide packages to 120 rape survivors was flawed from the start and fell far short of international standards.
"These are some of the most vicious assaults I have ever investigated," said Professor Sarah Knuckey, one of the lead authors of the report, and the Director of the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Institute. "The women and local communities had to struggle for years just to get the company to admit what happened."
Most women were offered less than $6,000 USD each in compensation, and were also given some counseling and healthcare. Knuckey continued, "They had been suffering for far too long, and deserved much more."
For several years, security guards at the Porgera mine physically assaulted and sexually abused members of the community. It was only after repeated pressure by local and international groups that the Canadian mining company finally acknowledged the sexual violence and launched an internal investigation in 2010. The company created a remedy mechanism to handle claims by survivors two years later.
The legal investigators interviewed dozens of survivors for the 129-page report, Righting Wrongs?, which found that, in this situation, the women should not have had to sign away their legal rights to sue in order to receive remedies. In addition, the process excluded survivors of many other, non-sexual assaults by company guards, and had insufficient outreach, so some survivors did not know about the mechanism in time to bring their cases. The report also says that inadequate security measures were put in place for survivors, and that some women have reported being threatened and beaten up by family members when their rapes were discovered.
"If remedy mechanisms are to have any chance of addressing egregious violations, they must take on the gross power imbalance between a company and survivors," said Clinical Professor Tyler Giannini, one of the lead authors and Clinical Director of the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School. "Many of the women signed the company's agreements because they felt that they simply had no other choice."
The importance of power was highlighted again this year, when eleven women who obtained U.S.-based lawyers refused to accept the company's packages, and were given confidential settlement packages believed to be about ten times greater than the amount given to the roughly 120 women who used Barrick's process. Upon learning this, the lesser-compensated survivors came together to demand more. The company quickly more than doubled their packages, which are still far less than what those who had U.S. lawyers received, and women in Porgera continue to demand that they should receive equitable packages.
The report found that there were some positive features of the mechanism, but that necessary safeguards such as consultation and prior engagement with the survivors and robust legal counsel for the women were either unimplemented or poorly implemented.
"When a company creates and controls the process on its own, there's an inherent conflict of interest," said Giannini. "Survivors should be involved early in the process, and on equal footing throughout, so that they do not feel forced into compensation packages that fall seriously short."
Rather than company-created models, the report suggests an approach that brings companies, survivors, and communities into the joint design of the remedy process. This approach centers the survivors in the process from the outset, and can help address power differentials. The report also calls on the company to provide additional remedies to the 120 women so that their agreements are in line with the amounts received by the eleven women represented by U.S. attorneys; void all legal waivers signed by women; provide remedy to individuals who faced other security guard abuses, including physical assaults; and to provide urgent security protection to women who are currently at risk.
The remedy mechanism is one of the first to be created after the release of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011, which set out the responsibilities of companies for human rights. The Porgera mine has been open since 1989. Barrick Gold became majority-owner and operator of the mine in 2006. Since then, the clinics have actively investigated the situation at the mine. The Columbia and Harvard human rights clinics presented the report this week in Geneva at the 4th Annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights.
Sarah Knuckey, Director, Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic: + 1 (917) 685 9098 | sarah.knuckey@law.columbia.edu (Geneva/NYC)
Tyler Giannini, Director, International Human Rights Clinic, Harvard Law School: + 1 (617) 669 2340 | giannini@law.harvard.edu (Boston)
Clinical Advocacy Fellow, Amelia Evans, LLM '11, supervised a research trip that contributed to this report. In addition, numerous students, including Flora Amwayi, JD '13; Skawenniio Barnes, JD '14; Marie Cita, JD '14; Krizna Gomez, LLM '13; Reeba Muthalaly, LLM '14; Tamaryn Nelson, MPA '14; Kiri Toki, LLM '16; and Helen Zhang, JD '16, contributed to the report.
The report is available at: www.rightingwrongsporgera.com
Syrian Refugees and the Documentation of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Jordan
Yesterday, Anna Crowe, clinical advocacy fellow, and Danae Paterson, JD '16, took part in a roundtable discussion in Amman, Jordan, on civil documentation – in this context, birth, marriage, and death registration – for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
A recent International Human Rights Clinic report, "Registering Rights," examines the processes, challenges, and significance of civil documentation for Syrian refugees living outside camps in Jordan. Civil documentation plays a crucial role in securing legal identity within a society, helping to prevent statelessness, and protecting a range of human rights.
Refugees,


Lemon and Lime Interiors takes pride in providing professional property presentation throughout the Midlands. Our bespoke service covers everything from decluttering a lived-in home to fully furnishing an empty property… and everything in between. Our team ensure every job is personalised, tailored to each client's individual needs. We understand the stresses of moving house and aim to make this exciting and challenging life event as smooth as possible. All our work aims to maximise your property investment by making a memorable first impression on your viewers so you achieve the best possible price for your home.
A family run business with over 26 years experience, no job is too large or small, including building work, tiling and decorating. We offer a free home design service, where we listen to your ideas and help you create your new room. With the help of our computer aided design programme, the ideas are bought to life on screen. All work is carried out by a number of reliable tradesmen, including gas safe plumbers and NICEIC electricians.
Home and house staging can involve any number of techniques. If you think your current interiors will be appealing to potential buyers then you may just need the help of Birmingham, West Midlands home staging services to make sure your home is impeccably clean, tidy and organised; ready for viewings. Or a home stager may wish to hide the more personal touches of your home, such as photographs and souvenirs, and make it more neutral so new buyers can see the property as a blank canvas rather than someone else's home.
On the other end of the scale, a Birmingham, West Midlands home stager can radically change your home if necessary, by redesigning rooms, repainting or revamping the whole house in order to increase the property value. Home staging companies in Birmingham, West Midlands may even wish to change the exterior of your house in order to make your home more inviting. For example, they could repaint your front door and windows, clean up the frames, weed the garden and add extra touches like elegant door numbers and potted plants. The level of house staging services Birmingham, West Midlands property staging companies offer will vary and they may actually work with other contractors to carry out their work, such as painters and cleaners. Here are some related professionals and vendors to complement the work of home stagers: Interior Designers, Photographers, Estate Agents.
Having a discussion with an experienced Birmingham, West Midlands home staging professional will help you decide what you need to do to your home to increase its selling value; whether it's a case of simply home dressing or styling, or if you should really redesign and redecorate your home. Even if you're not selling your home but instead want to get some house staging tips for hosting VIP guests or a special event, or perhaps you own a property or room that you rent out and you want to dress it up for photos, then home staging experts can offer their advice and staging services for these too.
Find a home stager on Houzz. Narrow your search in the Professionals section of the website to Birmingham, West Midlands home staging professionals. You can also look through Birmingham, West Midlands photos by style to find a room you like, then contact the professional who staged it.


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Injury Compensation News
Facebook Moderator Compensation Claim Submitted in Ireland
A Facebook moderation compensation claim has been submitted against the social media giant in Ireland by a former contractor for a company that providing moderation of content for the platform.
CPL Solutions is just one of many companies that supplies content moderation to Facebook and makes up a small part of the Facebook network of moderators that is thought to include 15,000 people globally.
Chris Gray, the individual who has taken the case at Facebook, claims that he suffered psychological injuries he sustained as a result of the content he had to view on a daily basis in his role – content he said was 'extremely disturbing, graphic and violent'. Today he submitted his legal action to the High Court in Dublin against the Irish subsidiary of Facebook and CPL solutions.
He claims the content he had to view included executions, lethal beatings, stonings, whippings, the abuse of children, animal torture and extreme sexual content". As a moderator he was expected to filter through all content published on the platform in order to remove inappropriate graphic content with a 98% accuracy rate for choosing the correct option.
Mr Gray believes that the training and support provided to workers viewing this disturbing content is inadequate due to the "what seemed like a relentless flow of extreme and graphic material" without adequate support or training. He said that the stress and trauma was such that he could not talk about work-related issues with his superiors in a calm and professional fashion.
Facebook released a statement that said that they know that "reviewing certain types of content can sometimes be difficult" but that they are providing training and full-time support to moderators. They are also seeking to put in place technical solutions to restrict the amount of graphic material they must witness saying "This is an important issue and we are committed to getting this right." CPL was unavailable for comment.
Foxglove, the United Kingdom-based not-for-profit group is supporting the compensation claim. The group have been conducting a campaign to force Facebook to address the conditions that the works must operate in. Ms Cori Crider, a director of Foxglove said: "In a few years' time we are going to look back on these conditions and see them the way that we now see early unsafe factory work in a steel mill or a meat-packing plant in the early 20th century."
Negotiations Settle Claim for Hearing Loss Compensation
A man, who sustained severe hearing loss after employer negligence, has been awarded a five-figure settlement of compensation for his injuries.
Alan Pashley, a sixty-one-year old man from Northfield in Birmingham, worked as an HGV fitter at Birmingham City Council for nearly forty years. During this time, Alan was regularly exposed to loud noises as he was required to use a compressed air gun to remove wheels from the heavy goods vehicles, facilitating the realignment of their brakes and clutches.
Yet at no point during his four-decade employment was Alan provided with adequate ear protection to protect him from the damaging effects of excessively loud noises. As such, Alan has been diagnosed with severe hearing loss and mind tinnitus. His doctors have told him that, had he been provided with adequate ear protection, his hearing loss would be delayed by around a decade.
Alan then decided to consult a personal injuries solicitor and subsequently made a claim for work injury compensation against his former employers, Birmingham City Council. The council admitted liability for Alan's injuries, and after a period of negotiation, the parties agreed on a five-figure settlement of compensation. This will help Alan, who has three children and six grandchildren, pay hearing aids for the rest of his life.
In a comment to his local paper, Alan told of how the injury has affected his life: "Poor hearing and tinnitus are extremely difficult and frustrating to deal with and they have a huge impact on my day-to-day life. They affect simple things like following a conversation to hearing the TV."
"I was really shocked to find out the noise at work caused the hearing loss I was suffering and I think it is important that employers do everything they can to prevent people's hearing being negatively impacted by noisy work environments. The only thing I can hope is that cases like mine are a reminder to improve workplace safety, particularly for people who spend a lot of time in a noisy environment."
Alan´s solicitor also commented that: "Unfortunately, we regularly see individuals like Alan who was failed by his employers. Companies continue to fail to take the necessary precautions to protect staff from hearing damage as a result of working closely with these tools."
Young Construction Engineer Injured On Site to Claim Compensation
A young engineer from Scotland has sought legal counsel and is due to claim for work injury compensation from his employer after he was gravely injured whilst working.
The devastating accident occurred on the 24th September 2013 at the old Forfar to Arbroath Railway line n Scotland. Connor Watson – aged just seventeen when the accident occurred – was working with a team of engineers at the Arbroath Flood Protection Scheme under DJ Laing Contractors Ltd. The team needed to access a damaged pipe that was behind an old letterbox.
Connor was assigned to remove the blocks, but as he removed the fifth the entire concrete wall gave way. The 0.46 tonne structure crushed his legs, and though he can now use his limbs – thanks to intense rehabilitation – he will likely never engage in many physical activities again. This has had a very negative impact upon his quality of life, as Connor was a passionate football player. Additionally, he has been warned by doctors that his legs will likely be arthritic by the time he reaches his thirties.
An investigation was carried out into the circumstances of the accident by the Health and Safety Executive. The team discovered that Connor's employers, DJ Laing Ltd, did not conduct an adequate health and safety risk assessment of the structure and, as such, could not advise Connor proceed with caution. This was a violation of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and last year the company were fined £32,000 at the Forfar Sheriff's Court for their negligence.
The contracting company have a successful "return to work" scheme for employees that have been absent on extended leave, and Connor has been working since May 2014 at the firm. However, the young man is very concerned as he believes that his arthritis will exclude him from future job markets.
Connor and his family have sought legal counsel from a personal injuries solicitor and have made their intentions to seek compensation known. Connor' solicitor has confidently told the press that he doesn't expect the claim to be a question of "if" his client is compensated, solely by "how much" he is.
David J Laing, Managing Director of DJ Laing Group Ltd, commented that "I confirm that Connor is currently employed by DJ Laing (Contracts) Limited and was involved in a serious accident on one of our civil engineering sites in September 2013. Connor is currently undertaking a return to work rehabilitation programme and the matter of compensation is being dealt with by our insurance company."
Judge Awards Compensation for Mesothelioma to BT Engineer
A judge at Bristol High Court has awarded an interim payment of compensation for mesothelioma to a BT Engineer who had worked for the telecommunications giant for 27 years.
Frederick Vincent (76) from Torquay in Dorset was awarded the five-figure sum as an interim payment to provide him with the private care he requires immediately, pending a full settlement of BT engineer mesothelioma compensation still to be determined.
The court heard how Frederick worked as an installation engineer for BT between 1962 and 1989 and regularly came into contact with asbestos while working in telephone exchanges in Devon where he had to drill through asbestos insulation boards to gain access to telephone wires.
Frederick also explained that he worked in close proximity to asbestos-lagged pipe work and his exposure to asbestos had been attributed to his developing mesothelioma cancer – a diagnosis he received on his fiftieth wedding anniversary earlier this year.
The judge found against BT for negligently exposing their employee to asbestos dust and awarded the interim payment of compensation for mesothelioma to the BT engineer. The money will enable Frederick to pay for private nursing care and equipment to help him through the final stages of his illness, and also to purchase a car in order that Frederick´s wife – Jean – can drive him to medical appointments.
Fine for Company after Worker Injured in Work Accident
A manufacturing company based in Manchester has been issued a £12,000 after one of their employees sustained injuries to their leg in an accident at the plant.
Bendcrete Leisure is a manufacturer of sports apparatus made of concrete, notably skate parks and climbing walls, as well as outdoor table tennis tables. During the manufacturing process of the later, an employee of Bendcrete Leisure was injured.
The incident in question occurred on the 20th February last year, when an employee – who has retained their anonymity throughout the proceedings, was using an overhead crane to move one of the heavy tables towards of four other such tables. They were all balanced atop of two resin barrels, and when the final table was lowered down, the barrels gave out.
The employee was situated near the tables, beside the crane, and when the barrels broke the entire stack of tables – each a tonne weight – fell on top of him. His legs were crushed, and though fellow employees were able to free him, when he was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital, he was admitted for ten weeks. During that time he recovered from his injuries, but he has been unable to return to work.
The Health and Safety Executives (HSE) proceeded to investigate the workplace accident, and found that the entire procedure for moving the table tennis tables had never been planned or supervised. Bendcrete Leisure Ltd was prosecuted by the HSE for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The case proceeded to the Trafford Magistrate's Court, where the company conceded liability for their role in the accident. The negligent employer was then fined £12,000 and ordered to pay an additional £3,485 in protection costs.
Fine for Corporate Negligence Resulting in Death Issued
A power company has received a six-figure fine – as well as costs – by a court when their corporate negligence resulted in a death.
The incident occurred on the 24th July 2012 when four sportspersons, members of the Saffron Striders running club, were training for an upcoming race. They were training on a route that brought them along a public footpath in Newport, Essex. One of the runners – the leader of the group, Dr James Kew, ran into a nearby field and into a 11,000 V electricity cable that was sagging as low as 1.5 m because the porcelain insulator had come apart.
Dr Kew – then aged just forty-one – was killed instantly, and his fellow runners suffered burns when the doctor completed the circuit to the ground. An inquest followed, investigating the circumstances of Dr Kew's death, which discovered that the low cable had previously been reported to the National Grid and the UK Power Networks, a full half-hour before the accident. However, the companies did no cut power to the area, though decided to send an investigative engineer. However, the employee was twenty minutes too late to prevent the tragedy.
The Health and Safety Executives (HSE) conducted their own investigation into the death, and stated that there was an "underestimated risk to human life" by deciding not to cut power. The UK Power Network was prosecuted by the HSE under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which essentially charged the network with death through corporate negligence.
The UK Power Networks plead guilty to the charge last week when the case was heard in the Chelmsford Crown Court. The court issued a fine of £1 million for the death caused by corporate negligence, as well as ordering the company to pay £153,000 towards the costs of the investigation. HSE Paul Carter commented, after the announcement of the verdict, that "Dr Kew's family remains completely devastated by their loss and witnesses to this incident have suffered severe trauma and stress-related illness. The incident was entirely preventable".
Carer Injured in Lift Shaft Receives Compensated
A Welsh care worker, gravely injured in a workplace accident after a lift malfunctioned, has received a five-figure settlement of compensation.
The accident occurred when fifty-two year-old Carol Conway was working at the Pontcanna House Care Home in Cardiff on the 6th March 2012. Acting as a care assistant, Mrs Conway was helping a ninety-six year old resident, Mrs Lewis, from her room on the second floor to the ground floor, where the facilities for breakfast were located.
The pair were waiting at the lifts when they heard the sound indicating the lift had arrived at the floor. Mrs Conway unlocked the door using her keys and reversed Mrs Lewis' wheelchair into the lift. Yet a known fault in the system meant that the floor of the lift had not arrived to the level when the rest of the compartment did, causing both Mrs Conway and Mrs Lewis to fall down the lift shaft, a distance of 6.3 metres, until they hit the ground floor.
Tragically, Mrs Lewis died from her the severe injuries she had sustained. Mrs Conway – who had been rendered unconscious from the fall – had fractures to her back, her ribs and her foot whilst also suffering a punctured her leg.
An inquest was launched into the circumstances of the accident, which found that the owners of the care home – Shirwan and Nasik Al-Mufti – had already been warned that the lift system was not working correctly and as a result should only have been used in emergency cases. Despite the warning, staff at the care facility were allowed to use the emergency access keys to override safety mechanisms and open the door manually.
Last year, Cardiff Crown Court fined the owners £75,000 for breaching health and safety regulations. They were also told to pay £25,000 in costs after prosecution by the Health and Safety Executives.
Mrs Conway subsequently proceeded to make a compensation claim for the accident after liability was determined. Negotiations ensued between the parties, and resulted in Mrs Conway receiving an undisclosed five-figure settlement. Speaking to the local press, Mrs Conway stated: "I was awarded compensation "but money will never change that terrible day. I think about it constantly. My heart goes out to May and her family. I am so sorry she died the way she did – it´s tragic".
Injury Sustained at Food Packaging Factory Results in Fine for Company
A fine of £10,000 has been issued to a company situated in Gateshead after a staff member was injured at the factory.
The employee, who has remained anonymous, was injured on 22nd of November 2013 as they were preparing packaging in the Integrated Packaging Ltd facility in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. The trainee was endeavouring to switch two belts of the cutting machine as it was in operation.
The thirty-year-old employee's finger got caught in the machine between the feed belt and the drive roller. The incident caused the man to lose the upper part of the index finger on his right hand. The employee was taken to hospital, where operations were carried out on his hand. Despite returning to work two months after the incident, the employee reportedly still experiences difficulty with fine motor movements.
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation of the incident, noting that there was no guard to ensure digits did not get caught in the gap between the drive roller and feed belt. The employee was also not informed of other safety procedures regarding the size of the carton material he was working on, and that the machine should have been turned off before the belt-switching procedure was carried out.
Integrated Packing Ltd had already received a notice in 2007 when inspectors found that they failed to adequately train employees regarding safe use of the machines. In 2009, a comparable incident saw that the company was prosecuted after inspectors found that there was no guard to prevent injury in a cutting machine similar to the one being investigated in the current case.
Integrated Packing Ltd plead guilty to the charges brought against them for breaching the terms of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 regarding the lack of proper instruction, information and supervised training of its employees. The Gateshead Magistrates Court fines the company £10,000, in addition to costs, for their negligence in the accident.
A inspector for the HSE, Natalie Wright, has stated that the incident could have been prevented if the company had taken reasonable measures to ensure the safety of its employees using the machine.
Cameraman Injured during Accident in France Claims Compensation
A cameraman who sustained serious injuries resulting in the loss of his leg during a motorcycle accident in France has received compensation for the incident.
The incident occurred when Noel Greaves-Lord, fifty-two of Worthing in West Sussex, was filming Ducati superbikes in Cannes during October of 2010. Mr Greaves-Lord has extensive experience filming both national and international sporting events for stations such as ITV and the BBC. One of the bikes he had been filming veered around a corner and lost control, colliding with the victim.
In an attempt to reduce the impact to the rest of his body, Mr Greaves-Lord protruded his right leg to absorb some of the shock of the incoming motorcycle. However, the action proved futile and he sustained serious injuries to his leg as a result of the collision. After being transported to the hospital, multiple surgeries were carried out upon Mr Greaves-Lord in an attempt to fix his right ankle, with little success. In November 2011, Mr Greaves-Lord contracted MRSA in a French hospital that unfortunately meant his right leg was amputated below the knee.
Mr Greaves-Lord sought legal counsel and then lodged a compensation claim against the motorcyclist that crashed into him in France. The driver, and Italian, conceded liability, but a settlement had yet to be determined due to the international nature of the case. Compensation claims settled in France are generally lower than they would be in the victim's native United Kingdom, yet the claim was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount. After much deliberation and negotiation to ensure the victim received an adequate sum, the claim was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount. The settlement accounts for the pain inflicted upon the victim, losses in earnings and how the loss of limb will impact Mr Greaves-Lord's quality of life. Mr Greaves-Lord should now be guaranteed financial security for the rest of his life.
Mr Greaves-Lord has explained his satisfaction that his long-drawn out case has finally been resolved, citing that he can now begin to reconstruct his life. The incident in France has left him unable to work, and he is in continuous rehabilitation.
Worker Injured by a Forklift Receives Compensation Settlement
A man, who was then an employee of Highline Extreme, is having his case heard in the High Court in relation to a compensation claim lodged against his then-employer for injuries sustained after a forklift accident in May 2010.
The victim, Scott Fewster, forty, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, was employed as a welder for Highland Extreme, a manufacturer of skateparks and climbing walls. He was injured when 40kg metal frame fell from a nearby forklift as it was being transferred to a truck. Mr Fewster fell to the ground under the weight of the frame and was hurt in his neck and head. His body and soft tissues were also heavily bruised, and surgery had to be carried out to repair nerve damage.
The incident left Mr Fewster requiring assistance three months, as he unable to carry out day-to-day tasks such as driving or cooking meals. He did briefly return to work for his previous employer, but decided to leave after he found himself incapable of coping with the highly physical demands of the job.
Mr Fewster left his job the October after his accident, and could not secure employment until February 2013. However, even then he could only carry out light duties and work a maximum of thirty hours a week. The nerve damage inflicted upon Mr Fewster's hand makes it unlikely that he will even be able to carry out heavy-duty work again.
Mr Fewster sought legal advice and then lodged a compensation claim against for the injuries caused by the forklift accident. His former employers, Highland Extreme, accepted liability for the incident and was issued with an Improvement Notice by the Health and Safety Executive. However, no agreement was made concerning how much the settlement to be paid out to Mr Fewster should be. He claims that the accident has caused him to suffer recurring stiffness in his neck and bouts of dizziness, thus preventing him from partaking in his regular hobbies which include judo and drumming. Highland Extreme dispute the long-term impact of the injury.
Doctors are investigating Mr Fewster's injuries, and they will help assess how much compensation he is entitled to for the workplace injury. The case will be heard again in London's High Court early next year.
Couple Launch Investigation Into Food Poisoning
Child Compensated for Scrambler Bike Injury
Woman Compensated for Cycling Injury
Health Company Fined for Nursing Home Death
Victims of Bus Collision to Claim Compensation
Negotiations Resolve Farmyard Injury Claim
Compensation Sought for E-Cigarette Fire
Injury Claim Settled for Sainsbury's Fall
Compensation Claim for Brain Injuries After Car Crash Settled
Bereaved Mothers Petition for Higher Compensation Settlements
Injured Truck Driver Initiated Compensation Claim
Compensation Claim for Injuries after Head-On Collision Negotiated Out-of-Court
Family of Pensioner Seeks Compensation for Injuries after Fall in the Street
Compensation Claim for Leisure Centre Injury Settled Through Negotiations
Woman with Brain Damage Compensated for Childhood Swimming Pool Accident
Worker Compensated for Bakery Accident
Company Receives Fine for Deadly Crane Accident
Nursing Home Fined for Death of Resident from Scalding Injury
Review of PPI Settlements Ordered by the Financial Conduct Authority
Woman Bitten by Dog Receives Injury Compensation
Bereavement Compensation
Care Home Negligence
Child Injury Compensation
Factory Injury Compensation
Hospital Injury Compensation
Personal Injury Compensation
Public Liability Compensation
Shop Injury Compensation
Street Injury Compensation
Traffic Accident Compensation
UK Hip Replacement Compensation
Workplace Injury Compensation
A Facebook moderation compensation claim has been submitted against the social media giant in Ireland by a former contractor for a company t... more
A man, who sustained severe hearing loss after employer negligence, has been awarded a five-figure settlement of compensation for his injuri... more
A young engineer from Scotland has sought legal counsel and is due to claim for work injury compensation from his employer after he was grav... more
A British couple have consulted personal injury solicitors concerning food poisoning that they suffered whilst on a package holiday in Crete... more

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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"Economic Class Immigration To Canada. Economic immigrants are people selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada's economy, including skilled workers, business immigrants, provincial and territorial nominees and live-in caregivers."
How Canadian Immigration works?
Canada currently provides multiple programs for eligible candidates to immigrate here . Our team of certified consultants will assess which of these programs you may be eligible to qualify and design a personalized plan for your profile, our assistance is throughout the whole application process.
Express Entry (EE) was introduced in 2015 as a new way to manage and select qualified candidates of three popular economic class immigration classes.
Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:
the Federal Skilled Worker Program
the Federal Skilled Trades Program
the Canadian Experience Class
Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from Express Entry through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs.
Candidates who are interested in coming to Canada fill out an Express Entry profile online. Eligible candidates are placed in the Express Entry pool and given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their skills and experience. Top-ranking candidates are invited to submit an application for permanent residence(e-APR). The cut-off scores for each round of invitations are published on this website. Once a candidate submits their application for permanent residence, their application is processed in six months or less (in most cases).
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is a suite of 3 federal programs, established by Ministerial Instructions, effective March 6, 2017. The goal of this pilot project is to attract and retain skilled immigrants in Atlantic Canada by testing innovative approaches to permanent immigration.
The AIPP is in place until December 31, 2021.
There are four participating provinces under AIPP:
The AIPP is an employer-driven program that facilitates the hiring of foreign workers. All principal applicants arriving in Canada under the pilot program must have a valid full-time job offer from an employer to apply for this program.
There are three streams under AIPP:
Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)
Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)
Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)
The Atlantic International Graduate Program are dedicated for international graduates from Atlantic provinces.
AIPP Streams
AHSP
AISP
AIGP
Work Exp. 1 Year in past 3 years in related occupation 1 Year in past 3 years in related occupation No work exp. requirement
Education Minimum high school completion Minimum high school completion Two-year post-secondary diploma from a publicly funded learning institution in the Atlantic region. Has to apply for permanent residency within 24 months after graduation.
Job Offer NOC 0/A/B,at least 1 year in length. NOC 0/A/B/C,permanent job offer NOC 0/A/B/C,At least 1 year in length.
Language CLB 4 CLB 4 CLB 4
Start-up Visa Program (SUV) was established as a pilot program and officially became part of Canada's immigration system in 2017. Canada's Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians, and can compete on a global scale. To be eligible for the Start-up Visa Program, you must:
have a qualifying business
get a letter of support from a designated organization
meet the language requirements
bring enough money to settle
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) allows foreign workers, international students and others with the right skills, experience and education to apply for a nomination for permanent residence in Ontario.
The program is operated by the Ontario government in partnership with the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), designed to help Ontario meet its labour market and economic development needs
As one of Canada's most popular immigration destinations, there are a handful of popular OINP streams:
OINP Masters Graduates Stream
OINP PhD Graduates Stream
OINP EE Human Capital Priorities Stream
OINP EE French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
OINP Entrepreneur Stream
Want to know if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada?
Book a consultation and complete an assessment today!


It won't be long until you can mingle with the literary stars! Meet Queensland children's authors and illustrators who will share their latest books, the stories behind their stories and feed you delicious bite-size insights into what it is like to create stories for children.
Now in its 7th year, come and join Book Links and Voices on the Coast, for two nights of entertainment, laughter, knowledge, reading, beverages and canapes, which of course, wouldn't be complete with a book shop on site!
Whether you are a teacher and want to know what will appeal to the children in your class, or a librarian seeking out the latest and hottest books by local authors and illustrators, or perhaps you are a book creator yourself and want to see what everyone has been up to, or maybe you are a parent or lover of children's literature and want a chance to find out more about the latest and greatest in children's literature, whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find it at Romancing the Stars!
Professional Development Certificates are available on request.
There is a choice of two fa bulous locations!
A list of the stars, their books and their bios can be found here.
Cost: $25.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members.
Not a Book Links member yet? Head to our members page to sign up (membership $20.00 per person or $30.00 per family).
Book Links Event News for 2017! Renew your membership now to be a part of our stellar year to come!
Happy New Year! We hope you had a fantastic Festive Season with family and friends!
2017 is looking to be a stellar year for Book Links, our members, our friends, and children all over the place. Read on to find out about some of our events and projects for the coming year!
And remember to renew your membership for 2017 HERE!
We are hosting three Romancing the Stars events this year! Come and speed-date some of Australia's best, and South East Queensland local, children's and YA authors and illustrators to find out what they have been, and are, working on!
For information and booking details for the Brisbane Event, click HERE!
For information and booking details for the Gold Coast Event, click HERE!
For information and booking details for the Sunshine Coast Event, click HERE!
We have a full year booked for our Write Links Writing Workshops! Including paid workshops with Richard Newsome, Kerry Brown, Deborah Abela, and Christine Bongers. For a full list of all the Workshops for 2017, click HERE!
Libby Gleeson will be presenting the Narelle Oliver Lecture in Children's Literature in June, watch our social media and website for more details.
We are honoured to announce that we will be presenting a comprehensive exhibition of the Late Narelle Oliver's works in partnership with StoryArts Festival Ipswich.
We will also be beefing up our Travelling Suitcases to ensure that they are all utilised to their full potential, and we will also be offering DVD's of all our featured authors and illustrators for sale, watch this space.
BIG news! Sarah Davis Illustration Workshop – Sunday, 28th August. Please SHARE, your friends will love you for it!
Join award-winning illustrator Sarah Davis for an intensive three hour illustration workshop, which will help you take your illustration skills to the next level. Suitable for emerging and established illustrators, ages 15+.
This will be a hands on session with lots of drawing, so bring your favourite sketchbooks and drawing materials.
Bring drawing materials and a sketchbook.
To book your place, click here!
Our friends over at the Children's Book Council of Australia – QLD Branch have produced a film to tell us all about the Readers Cup. Read on below, and get involved!
The Qld Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia recently produced a film to promote their state wide competition, The Readers Cup. The film tracks two teams as they prepare to compete in the Ipswich Region Competition. Readers Cup attracts nearly 600 teams each year from across Queensland with regions stretching north to Cairns and west to Augathella. Designed to encourage young readers in Years 5-8, the competition has teams of four reading a set of books, then competing against other teams to answer the quiz questions.
Students are challenged to read widely, work collaboratively in a team and continue developing a love of reading. They can compete at regional and state level similar to sporting competitions and meet other students with an equal passion for books.
With 589 teams competing across eighteen regions in June this year, and regional teams taking part in the state finals in September, it equates to around 3000 students reading 15 000 books in 2016. Students attending the finals also have the opportunity to attend Wordplay at The Brisbane Writers Festival, one of the sponsors of the competition.
The website http://readerscup.org.au/ provides information for teams and coordinators, lists regional books, competition dates and sample questions.
The film was funded by CBCA Qld Branch and the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network. CBCA Qld received funds from Creative Partnerships Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund.
Australian Children's Laureate Leigh Hobbs presented the 2016 Book Links Annual Lecture in Children's Literature. He spoke to the topic, 'The mystery of Visual Literacy, and, why isn't humour taken more seriously'. The event was very well attended by Children's Literature enthusiasts, Children's authors, Children's illustrators, teacher- librarians, and parents. The VIP reception with Leigh, co-hosted by the Queensland Writers Centre, was a resounding success with many attendees reporting delightful and inspiring conversations with Leigh Hobbs.
Leigh began by telling us that he feels 'a responsibility and protectiveness to his audience, children.' He told the audience that theory is not his thing, but that he would speak to us from his experience as a secondary teacher, a visiting presenter to several countries and his memories of his own childhood. Leigh told us that he has always been obsessed with characters, and they form the basis of all his stories. Leigh does not pretend to write in a child's voice. He writes with an adult voice and finds that kids relate well to his characters. Leigh acknowledges how sensitive and trusting kids are, and how innately willing they are to engage in learning. Leigh believes in kids' logic, and explained that not everything needs to be explained to them. Leigh explained that visual literacy is the beginning of literacy as kids learn to look before they can read. He spoke about his characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, and Mr Chicken explaining that kids connect to relationships between characters that mean something to them. Leigh works with three levels: first the words, second images and thirdly the contradiction between the words and image. Often the image is doing something every different from the words. Interpretation doesn't have to be literal. Leigh explained that that if kids like characters, and they're well constructed, they will be gripped by them in a couple of pages and make a decision whether to keep going into their world. He doesn't write with 'a message', but rather with 'real' characters, experiencing loss, friendship and more .
The audience was thrilled by Leigh's lecture, and also enjoyed the opportunity to try their hands at drawing Old Tom with some surprising results. We are very grateful to Leigh for coming to Book Links – the Centre for Children's Literature to present the Book Links Annual Lecture in Children's Literature. We are also very grateful to our audience for attending, for without them, this lecture series would simply not be as successful as it is.
2016 Promises to be one of our best years yet. So far we have three innovative Write Links Writing Workshops planned.
Brian Falkner – Introduction to Write Like an Author. Saturday, February 6.
Peter Carnavas – Picture Books. Saturday, March 5.
James Moloney – Planning a Series. Saturday, May 7.
Find out more below, and click HERE to book to avoid disappointment. You can also renew your membership, or become a member at this link too. This will give you discount rates to all writing workshops, as well at local Book Shops.
Author Brian Falkner has created a set of resources that can be used to inspire young writers to 'write like an author'. This is an introduction to the materials he has created. For more information on the content visit http://www.writelikeanauthor.com This is a great opportunity to see how Brian presents his workshops for children in the middle years of schooling.
In this workshop, Peter will cover many aspects of picture book creation. There will be a focus on the varieties of narrative structure, characters and how to make your text as powerful and efficient as possible. Peter will also share storyboard tips and how to tell your story visually, whether writing for an illustrator or as an illustrator.
Peter completed a picture book course and put together a dummy version of his book, Jessica's Box. A little while later, New Frontier accepted the book. His tale of a little girl's attempt to find friendship entered the world in April 2008 and was shortlisted for the CBCA Crichton Award for Emerging Illustrators and the Queensland Premier's Literary Award.
Many books have followed, including Last Tree in the City, The Children Who Loved Books, My Totally Awesome Story (written by Pat Flynn) and The Boy on the Page. He has recently collaborated with Kat Chadwick to create What's in My Lunchbox?, and has illustrated Damon Young's picture books, My Nanna is a Ninja and My Pop is a Pirate.
Peter lives on the Sunshine Coast with his wife, two daughters and a scruffy dog that occasionally escapes.
James Moloney has written a number of successful series for young readers. His 'Gracey stories' comprising three YA novels about an Indigenous family was widely praised. Later, he turned to fantasy where series seems the name of the game with the successful 'Book of Lies' trilogy and 'The Silvermay Sagas'. For younger readers he wrote the adventure series, 'The Doomsday Rats'. In writing these books he ran the full gamut of what to do and what not to do which he will share with seminar participants.
The seminar will focus on what publishers are looking for, how to develop characters who will sustain reader interest across a multiple book series, how to keep them fresh, planning story lines across multiple books and the creation of 'worlds', both realistic and speculative, which suit the writing of series for the young. The emphasis will be practical and much of the activity interactive, so participants should bring along their cherished ideas and be prepared to discuss them.
Season's Greetings, Membership Renewal, & 2016 Writing Workshops!
Season's Greetings to all! We hope that you are barrelling full steam ahead towards the holidays, and have all your preparations underway. And if you don't, like many of us, may the force be with you! We have some amazing news for events coming up in 2016. Four writing workshops presented by four of Australia's industry-leading authors and/or illustrators. To find out more, read on.
Now is the time to renew your Book Links membership for 2016. You'll get discounts at book stores, discounts on event tickets, and all the latest news from Book Links – the Centre for Children's Literature. Just click here to download the membership form, and you can pay by EFT or cheque in the mail. Receipts will be sent to all members renewing their membership. We have a phenomenal year ahead, and we look forward to you joining us!
The Write Links Workshop Campaign!
Peter Carnavas grew up as the youngest of four kids with two parents who somehow allowed and encouraged him to pursue his interests without him realising. He learnt the violin and guitar and was pretty certain he would one day become one of the world's greatest songwriters, sitting somewhere alongside Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Brian Wilson. This didn't happen, so it was lucky he could draw little pictures of people.
Peter has always written stories and scribbled pictures. Every birthday and Christmas present included pencils and sketchbooks. After making little books for family and then teaching for a few years, Peter began immersing himself in picture books. He immediately fell in love with the work of the great picture book creators.
Pamela Rushby was born in Queensland more years ago than she cares to divulge. She has worked in advertising; as a pre-school teacher; and as a writer and producer of educational television, audio and multimedia.
Pam has written children's books and television scripts; hundreds of radio and TV commercials; multi award-winning documentaries on Queensland dinosaurs, Australian ecosystems, bilbies, the Crown of Thorns starfish and buried Chinese terracotta warriors; short stories; and freelance journalism. She has won several awards, including a Literature Board of the Australia Council grant to work on archaeological excavations in Egypt and Jordan; a Churchill Fellowship to study educational television in Canada; the Ethel Turner Prize in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards; three Notable Books in the Children's Book Council of Australia awards; and a bag of gold coins at a film festival in Iran.
Her historical novels include When the Hipchicks Went to War (Hachette 2009), The Horses Didn't Come Home (HarperCollins 2012), Flora's War (Ford Street Publishing 2013) and The Rat-catcher's Daughter (HarperCollins 2014).
Pam lives in Brisbane with her husband, son and six visiting scrub turkeys. She has two children (plus son-in-law and two gorgeous grandchildren).
The PARRISH PLESSIS series has been translated into many languages and adapted into a role-playing game, while the PEACEMAKER series is being adapted into a novel adventure game.
Marianne has also authored children's and young adult stories, notably the Night Creatures trilogy a dark fantasy series for teens.
Marianne is an active supporter of genre fiction and has mentored many writers.
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband and three galahs (and once upon a time three sons–before they grew up). Marianne also writes award-winning crime under the pseudonym Marianne Delacourt.
James Moloney has been writing for Australia's children and young adults for 30 years, with close to fifty books to his credit, among them 'The Book of Lies' and the Silvermay series and YA novel such as 'A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove' and 'Dougy'. His latest book is 'Bridget: A New Australia' which is first in a new series by Omnibus focussing on the migrant experience of so many diverse Australians. It was released in February 2015. He also wrote '1844 Do You Dare? The Last Horse Race' part of another new series about Australian history.
Once a teacher and a librarian, his books – ranging in audience from seven to seventeen year-olds – have made him one of Australia's most respected authors. James' award-winning books have been translated into French, Korean, Lithuanian and Flemish/Dutch.
James' Aussie Chomps titles – The Mobile Phone Detective, Trolley Boys, 68 Teeth and Grommet Saves the World – continue to be popular titles.
How can you help? A good question!
'Tis the season for giving, and for as little as $5, don't let us stop you there, you can help us get this project off the ground. We're not expecting to buy all the neighborhood kids cool electric kids dirt bikes, but all kids need a present for Santa on Christmas. We have DGR Status, so any donation over $2 is tax deductible. We will provide you with a tax deductible gift tax receipt to give to your accountant. You can make a donation via our secure PayPal account on our website donate here!
By contributing to our Write Links Workshops Campaign, you will enable us to secure the Workshop Presenters for four fabulous workshops in 2016. Consider it a Christmas present for you and for us. Help us to kick start this project, and then attend the workshops in 2016 and beyond!
How can you make a booking for the workshops? Just email us!
To register your interest in attending the workshops, simply email us ( info@booklinks.org.au ) and let us know which workshop you are interested in. And when we have the workshops locked in, we will email you, and your registration of interest will become a booking, places permitted.
Sessions will be $15 for Book Links members, and $25 for non-members.
Thank you for your time, and we wish you the very best for the festive season!


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NEBS Buys Safeguard for $72.5M
Safeguard Business Systems, Dallas, will be acquired by New England Business Service Inc. in a $72.5 million all-cash transaction, it was announced yesterday.
The cash will be used to acquire all company stock and to retire revolving and term loans with Safeguard's financial institutions. Safeguard, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, employs about 850 people, mainly in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Three million small-business customers will be served by the entities, which provide products and services to small businesses.
Safeguard provides printed and branded products such as business forms, promotional items and corporate apparel. Its products are sold and delivered through a network of 360 local distributorships. Safeguard has manufacturing facilities in California, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Ontario.
NEBS is a business-to-business direct marketing company with 2.6 million small-business customers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and France. Its business products and services are marketed via direct mail, telesales, a direct sales force, dealers and the Internet.
DMA Scraps net.marketing Trade Show
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Sitting at the edge of La Pea National Park with great walks and cycling routes, the house is at the top of a track overlooking orange groves. The property is on four levels, the top level has a seating area with olive trees and fantastic views accessed by the driveway which runs behind the house.
The next level has the 10 x 5 metre swimming pool with pump house and changing room and several paved areas, fully fenced and gated, again with views of the countryside and mountains.
On this level is the top floor of the accommodation comprising of an American kitchen with sitting area 5.0m x 3.8m, and three bedrooms 3.75m x 3.85m, 3.6m x 3.0m, 3.6m x 2.73m each with an ensuite shower room, plus the master bedroom 4.5m x 4.3m, which has adjoining dressing area and full bathroom 2.45m x 4.5m, with bath, and separate shower. four bedrooms in total here.
The lower level has the main sitting room dining area 8.7m x 6.4m. The adjoining utility room has a washing machine, tumble dryer, sink and cupboards, wc and storage area.
The kitchen 3.2m x 6.4m is fully fitted with tall fridge freezer, electric gas range cooker and dish washer.
From the kitchen a door leads through to an inner hall from which the fifth bedroom with study area 6.8m x 3.25m and shower room are connected. There is a study area leading to the internal staircase to the upper floor.
On the lower level, the house is accessed through a glazed porch. There is an outbuilding which can be used as an office or for storage. The lower terrace is fenced and gated and has a paellero and a wooden storage shed and also a plastic shed.
At the other end of this level is a hard standing and a car port and a dog kennel. The whole plot is fenced and has lockable gates.
Opposite the house, on the other side of the track, is a fenced area planted with olive and lemon trees.
The house has mains electricity connected at 9.2kw rating, mains town water and agricultural water. There is wireless internet connection and a Trac telephone.
There are air conditioning units in the main living room, the upstairs living room and two bedrooms. There is a monitored alarm system covering the whole house.
In the main living room there is a pellet stove for heating together with a log burning stove.
The area comprising the three bedrooms and upper living room can be isolated from the rest, and has in the past been used as holiday accommodation with access from the outside stairs.
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Do you love documentaries as much as I do? I especially love animal-centered narratives that educate as much as entertain. In our screen-obsessed society, sometimes a film can be the best way to spread the word about an important issue. (Just consider "The Blackfish Effect"—and SeaWorld's announcement earlier this month that it will be ending whale breeding and phasing out Orca shows by 2019.)
The following eight recently released films either highlight critical issues or educate the next generation about the importance of animals. Take a look and prepare to open your eyes—and your heart:
1. Unlocking the Cage
Animal rights lawyer Steve Wise has spent decades working on a daunting task: achieving civil rights for animals. "Without personhood, you are invisible to the civil law," he says. This film highlights his work starting with chimpanzees, as he fights to change every chimp from "a thing" to a "legal person" with protections under the law. The film premiered in January at Sundance and screens next week at the 2016 Sarasota Film Festival.
2. Heart of a Dog
This philosophical film, which received several award nominations, offers reflections on life and death, with avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson's beloved rat terrier Lolabelle (who played piano and finger-painted) at its center. Animal lovers who've suffered a loss will surely connect with the heart of this film. Click here for more information.
3. KEDI
What is it like to be a street cat in Istanbul? This documentary answers that question, with stunning footage of tough felines surviving and thriving in the city. "The love of animals is a different kind of love," says one man interviewed in the film. "If you don't love animals, you can't love people, too." Catch KEDI next month at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina.
4. The Champions
This film shares the inspiring comeback stories of various pit bulls—and the people who rescued them following NFL quarterback Michael Vick's fighting ring. See how these special dogs got their second chances, and learn more about combating breed prejudice. To find a screening near you (or even host your own), click here.
5. How to Change the World
This award-winning film follows Greenpeace's incredible rise from a grassroots group of ecology "rainbow warriors" to the leader of the modern environmental movement. Watch now on Netflix, iTunes, Vimeo and elsewhere.
6. Dog by Dog
The dark side of puppy mills is revealed in this eye-opening documentary, as well as the huge amounts of money people are raking in by engaging in this totally inhumane business practice. Some of the footage is absolutely heartbreaking, but hopefully getting the word out will incite change. Catch it on the big screen on April 7 in Kansas City.
7. Monkey Kingdom
Produced by Disneynature, this film follows the amazing story and struggles of a newborn monkey with his family in the wilds of Sri Lanka. Child-friendly and filled with breathtaking footage, the film is viewable now on Amazon and Netflix.
8. Virunga
This Netflix release, which takes place in Virunga National Park in Africa, features the brave individuals fighting to save endangered gorillas and natural resources in the Congo. An eye-opening call-to-action that uses hidden camera footage, the documentary also works on a theatrical good-vs.-evil level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-vjWd7Tb8
What are your favorite animal documentaries? (In case you missed it, last year I reviewed Blackfish, The Cove, and others.)
Animal Reiki: It's not what you think
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For as long as I can recall, I've fantasized about living wirelessly. Sure I change the TV channel wirelessly, carry a wireless mobile phone, use a wireless Bluetooth mouse, and have wireless internet in my household. Wireless is the way to go, and we're going there. How do we know when we are there? For me, when high speed wireless internet access is as abundant as running water, we've made it. Jupiter Researchers are telling us that it's not going to be as easy as we think. Their research estimates that a citywide wireless network would cost approximately $25.00/person. That's not exactly free WiFi last time I checked. I hope Jupiter is wrong on this one.