And now for some Good News from Africa .......

Poverty rates throughout the African continent have been falling steadily, and much faster than previously thought, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The death rate of children under five years of age is dropping, with “clear evidence of accelerating rates of decline,” according to The Lancet.

Perhaps most encouragingly, Africa is “among the world’s most rapidly growing economic regions.” 

Fabulous Female Figurines ....... Part ll

This wonderful Figurine, complete with Bead & Seashell Couture, comes to us from the Cameroun in West Africa.

The Woodcarving and Finery are an inspired expression of Contemporary African Art.

The Extrovert in the African Character is beautifully captured here.

This piece and several others will appear on our Website shortly.

To see more, go to -

http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6



Fabulous Female Figurines .......

This wonderful Figurine, complete with Bead & Seashell Couture, comes to us from the Cameroun in West Africa.

The Woodcarving and Finery are an inspired expression of Contemporary African Art.

The Extrovert in the African Character is beautifully captured here.

This piece and several others will appear on our Website shortly.

To see more, go to -

 http://www.justafrica.com.au/products.asp?categoryID=6

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted during its 62nd session in New York City on 13 September 2007.

The UN describes it as –

… "an important standard for the treatment of indigenous people, that will undoubtedly be a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations, and assist in combating discrimination and marginalization."

It is estimated that indigenous people number 370 million across the world.

Here is a selection of the traditional work of some of these people:

http://www.justafrica.com.au

Text courtesy of http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery

The Abolition of Slavery Act

By 1783, an Anti-Slavery movement to abolish the Slave Trade throughout the Empire had begun among the British public.

In 1785, the English poet William Cowper wrote:

"We have no slaves at home – Then why abroad? Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs receive our air, that moment they are free. They touch our country, and their shackles fall. That's noble, and bespeaks a nation proud. And jealous of the blessing. Spread it then, And let it circulate through every vein."

In fact, Slavery was officially abolished in most of the British Empire on 1 August 1834.

The Royal Assent to the Bill was given on 28 August 1833, making it law.

Image and text courtesy of -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BLAKE10.JPG

World Cup Competition - WIN a Fair Trade Jinta Sports soccer ball worth $37.50!

The 2010 World Cup, featuring teams from Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, of course Australia, starts today!

Click on the image below for your chance to win a Fair Trade Jinta Sports soccer ball worth $37.50!