The Challenge
Whilst campaigning I have frequently found myself opting to take the easy route: preaching to the converted. This is not what I consider campaigning in the true sense. Whilst it may make me feel better, I may feel like I’ve done ‘my bit’, it does not involve changing minds nor does it tackle the apathy and ignorance that are unfortunately all to prevalent in relation to development issues. Put bluntly, it gets us no closer to tackling poverty and climate justice.
This acknowledged, the Liverpool University Oxfam Society thought long and hard about an event that would attract those who would never usually have anything to do with Oxfam and that would demonstrate to them that you don’t have to don a pair of MC Hammer pants, a pair of sandals nor eat lentils to live a more ethical lifestyle.
The Solution
*Drum roll please * A glamorous, cutting-edge, vintage and ethical ball.
We hired The Egg Café in Liverpool and served up a lip-smackingly good veggie three course meal; we provided fairly traded wine; and guests were required to come in their finest vintage, fair trade or charity shop glad rags. The after party, organised in conjunction with two other societies, ACE Africa and Campaign Against Climate Change, was held at MelloMello, a volunteer led community outreach venue and live music was enjoyed through a carbon neutral bicycle powered sound system.
Our message was simple: ethical living can be fun and easily incorporated into everyday life. A fair and just world for all demands that each and everyone one of us makes life style changes. The ethical ball demonstrated the ease with which some of these changes, such as buying fair trade where possible and eating less meat, can be made.
P.S. If you’re feeling inspired and want some tips on how to become more ethical, the following websites are a great place to start: