Tag: discussion

Action Meso Day

Action Mesothelioma Day (Action Meso Day), an annual event to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos, will this year be a virtual event hosted by broadcaster, academic, and mesothelioma patient, Kate Williams.

The UK has the world’s highest incidence of mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, with more than 2,700 people diagnosed each year. Over 1600 schools in Scotland contain asbestos.

Hosted by the UK Mesothelioma Alliance (UKMA) as part of its ActionMeso campaign, the event will be held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Friday 2 July.

It will include panel discussions, clinical trials updates, expert insights and patient stories for anyone affected by mesothelioma. ActionMeso supporters, including support groups and charities in Scotland, will be hosting their own activities before or after the main event.

Patients, family members, friends, carers, local dignitaries, healthcare professionals, asbestos removal companies, law firms and anyone interested in mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos are invited to join the event.

Registration is free at www.actionmeso.org/amd21 and the hashtag #ActionMeso will be used on social media platforms.

Kate Williams, broadcaster, academic, mesothelioma patient and host for the national event, said: “I was honoured to be asked to host Action Meso Day 2021. As a peritoneal mesothelioma patient myself, I am all too aware of the importance of raising awareness of the disease and the dangers of asbestos.

“This is a chance to hear from people directly affected by this cancer and along with other patients, I will be sharing my story. We’ll also be learning about the latest in treatment and care from healthcare professionals.

“Events like this and the #ActionMeso campaign are vital if we are to see companies and the government take action and prevent other families being affected by this disease.”

Phyllis Craig MBE, Director of Action on Asbestos said, “Our charity is proud to be part of an initiative that brings people together to raise awareness that mesothelioma is a preventable condition.

“Being a charity that covers the whole of Scotland we know only too well the devastation that is caused to those diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families, especially when this condition is caused through no fault of their own.

“The fact that asbestos remains in over 1600 schools in Scotland is terrifying, because this means that we may continue to see more people being diagnosed with mesothelioma in another 20 to 30 years. If we stand united, we can eradicate asbestos from all public buildings and safeguard our future – our children.”

Statistics show that 94 per cent of mesothelioma cases in the UK are caused by workplace exposures and are preventable.

ActionMeso is campaigning to promote the Mesothelioma Patient Charter to employers, healthcare providers and politicians in all the nations of the United Kingdom, which sets out the action needed to prevent this disease and ensure more families do not suffer.

Can Edinburgh Sustainability Strategy 2030 deliver Net Zero?

Preview Draft Net Zero 2030 Strategy. Can it deliver Carbon Neutral Edinburgh by 2030? Community views

Revised Date for the event: 4.00pm – 5.30pm MONDAY 7 JUNE 202
2nd Roundtable Discussion on Climate Action

A new draft Edinburgh Net Zero 2030 Strategy was launched on Friday 4 June – for discussion by City Councillors 10am Thursday 10 June.

Preview the proposed strategy and consider what might work / what needs earlier action.

Can Edinburgh achieve ambitious “Net Zero” target by 2030?

– How can citizens and community groups best be involved?
– How can Community Councils and other groups contribute?
– What role does the Edinburgh Partnership have in this?

Book: https://nzs7june.eventbrite.co.uk

This follows the August 2020 event hosted by civil society and the city council.

See the Report at https://bit.ly/climate12aug

This interactive session will:

1. Unpack the proposed actions in the draft Sustainability Strategy
2. Provide opportunity for community led response to draft plans
3. Discuss the main chapters of Draft Strategy in Breakout Groups
4. Draft a deputation for 1 June Policy & Sustainability Committee.

Transition Edinburgh www.transitionedinburgh.org.uk

ELREC April events

14/04 – The Divine Light In Us workshop

The discussion will focus on helping us see our true selves.

When you take away the body and the mind that comes with it, you are left with the soul which is pure energy. That energy glows like a shining light within ourselves.

During the ups and downs of living a life with constant distractions at our doorsteps, we disconnect ourselves from our true nature which is full of love, compassion, positivity, honesty, kindness, euphoria, and peace.

We need to take time out daily to connect to that self of ours where we can find ‘home’ and find the peace we all long for in our lives.

Join us by clicking on the link below on Wednesday 14th, April 2021, at 5.30pm:

Topic: The light in us
Time: Apr 14, 2021 05:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/8032158539?pwd=aFdmZkkzQTVkY0N2M0dYem5JbHRtdz09

Meeting ID: 803 215 8539
Passcode: 12345

28/04 – ELREC Annual General Meeting 

We would like to invite you to attend ELREC’s AGM which will be held on Zoom.

Wednesday 28th April 2021, 6:00 – 7:00pm.

Join us to hear reports of another year of achievement for ELREC.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Get your ticket by clicking here.

‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’

Forth 1 and Clyde 1 to broadcast special show today

Following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, Clyde 1, Forth 1 and their sister stations are set to broadcast a special show: ‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’ to discuss this essential issue.

This morning (Wednesday 17th March) from 9.30pm to 10pm, the show will be broadcast across Scotland on the Hits Radio Network including MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM, Radio Borders and West FM.

The show will be hosted by Garry Spence and Arlene Stuart and the panel will include:

  • Davy Thompson from White Ribbon Scotland which is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men’s violence against women.
  • Selena Jackson – Radio Clyde journalist who has covered this key issue extensively
  • Donna Davies – counsellor of children, young people and adults

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Hits Radio brands in Scotland said: “The tragic death of Sarah Everard has dominated the news agenda for the last few weeks. It is a very important conversation and we want to share insights from key figures about the way that everyone can play a part and for us all to talk about it.”

‘Women’s Safety: What Can Men Do?’ will be aired on Wed 17th March 2021 from 9.30pm to 10pm on Clyde 1, Forth 1, MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM, Radio Borders and West FM.

EACC event to discuss capital’s public spaces

The Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC) will be holding a special meeting entitled Events in the New Green Edinburgh — the Public Spaces Management Plan (PSMP) Exercise, this Thursday 10 December at 7pm by Zoom.

Registration is by Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/events-in-the-new-green-edinburgh-public-spaces-management-plan-psmp-tickets-130883386733

The City of Edinburgh has just launched an extensive stakeholder consultation about “how Edinburgh manages its public outside space for events, filming and festivals . . based around key principles/guidelines that will apply across the whole of Edinburgh.”

Leading our discussion on the Public Spaces Management Plan will be: 

Cliff Hague, Emeritus Professor of Planning and Spatial Development at Heriot-Watt University, Chair of the Cockburn Association: Pitfalls and potholes: managing Edinburgh’s public spaces 

Mariana Trusson, former Chair of the Edinburgh Sustainable Development Partnership (ESDP): Environmental protection, carbon neutrality and sustainability: events and festivals in public spaces 

This will be followed by a contribution by a leading City of Edinburgh councillor or official.

Jim Scanlon (Leith Links Community Council) and another community councillor will talk about local issues with the PSMP.

This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. 

The meeting will be recorded and may be published later. Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.

Simon Holledge
_________________________________________
Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC)
EACC Secretary
Simon.Holledge@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow

This is a reminder for the Forth and Inverleith VSF on Zoom, tomorrow – Wednesday, Nov 4th at 11am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82718053569?pwd=dXBFc3ZqUWZXTjFONlNOUkhyQ1F3dz09

Meeting ID: 827 1805 3569

Passcode: 938535

We will use the below agenda to guide our discussion and welcome Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick and Dr Peter Kitchen as guests to the forum:

1.      Welcome and introductions – name and organisation

  1. Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick: Updates from the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (Edinburgh Pact, Thrive, Three Conversations)
  2. Dr Peter Kitchen: New GP practice in the Granton area
  3. Member updates – 1 to 2 minutes each
  4. AOB
  5. Date of next meeting

Kate Barrett

Development Worker – Community Planning, EVOC

The #BigClimateDebate

November is Climate Debate month at ELREC

Dear Friends,

Hope you are well.

The #BigClimateDebate has now arrived. Join the most important discussion of our time. The Big Climate Debate is YOUR opportunity to influence climate change policies. 

Each evening, an elected representative will give a short presentation on their parties’ policies and actions. You will hear their achievements and proposals to tackle the climate and ecological emergency. We will then open the session to audience’s questions.
 

Join Sarah Boyack Labour MSP on Monday 2nd November 5-6pm: https://bigclimatedebate.eventbrite.co.uk

Join Finn Carson Conservative MSP on Tuesday 3rd November, 5-6pm: https://climatedebate3.eventbrite.co.uk

Join Patrick Harvie Green MSP on Wednesday 4th November 5:15-6:15pm: https://climatedebate1.eventbrite.co.uk

Join Christine Jardine Liberal Democrat MP on Thursday 5th November 5-6pm: https://climatedebate2.eventbrite.co.uk

Join Deidre Brock SNP MP on Monday 9th November, 5-6pm: https://climatedebate4.eventbrite.co.uk


Following these sessions, we will be honoured to gather all speakers and Government Minister together for a panel discussion on November 18th, 5PM where they will debate questions asked by YOU. More details to come.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Kind regards,
Foysol Choudhury MBE
Chair
Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council 
14 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH
(T) 0131 556 0441
(E) foysolchoudhury@aol.com
(W) www.elrec.org.uk

Local democracy under threat?

Concerns have been expressed in Edinburgh that politicians and city leaders may be cutting corners as crucial decisions are made about our city – all during a time when the press is under increased strain due to falling revenue.
In this conversation with four leading Edinburgh journalists we will explore the threats to local democracy and press reporting during the coronavirus outbreak.

Joining us for this conversation will be Euan McGrory (The Scotsman), Mure Dickie (Financial Times), Phyllis Stephen (The Edinburgh Reporter) and David Bol (The Herald).

Date: Thursday 25 June 2020
Start time: 6pm
Venue: Zoom online (how to join info will be sent to you via email)

Book your free ticket now

We look forward to seeing you on the evening. If you have any questions, please contact us on the details below.

Edinburgh World Heritage
5 Bakehouse Close
146 Canongate
EH8 8DD

members@ewht.org.uk

Hollywood thriller will launch capital debate on ‘forever chemicals’

Edinburgh Napier Dean to lead panel discussion

EXPERTS will debate controversial ‘forever chemicals’ and the threat they pose to human health and the environment following a special preview screening of a powerful new Hollywood blockbuster.

Dark Waters, starring Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway, is to be shown at The Cameo in Edinburgh’s Home Street on Tuesday February 25, three days ahead of its official UK opening.

The screening will be followed by a 45-minute panel discussion, hosted by Professor Gary Hutchison, Dean of the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University.

He will be joined by academics, environmental activists and business representatives for a discussion of the issues raised by the thought-provoking film, based on a notorious toxic chemical scandal in the USA.

In Dark Waters, directed by Todd Haynes, Ruffalo plays lawyer Rob Bilott, who became involved in a lengthy crusade against the DuPont chemical company over the pollution of West Virginia’s water supply with PFAS or per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances used to make Teflon.

In 2017, DuPont and spinoff Chemours agreed to pay $671million to settle thousands of lawsuits. They included claims linked to thyroid disease, and kidney or testicular cancer.

Critics have hailed the new film as “a dense, angry drama” and “A David vs Goliath legal thriller for our times”.

Joining Professor Hutchison at the panel discussion and Q & A session, which follows a 6pm screening in Cameo 3, will be Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute, and Dr Fiona Stainsby a senior lecturer in microbiology at Edinburgh Napier.

Environmental charity Fidra, who are leading on a petition asking UK supermarkets to stop packing products in PFAS, and the Arcadis consultancy will be represented by Dr Kerry Dinsmore and Ian Ross respectively.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals which don’t occur naturally and are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment.

Professor Hutchison said: “I am very much looking forward to seeing Dark Waters and feel sure that the screening will provoke a lively discussion afterwards.

“PFAS chemicals are found in food, food packaging and other everyday products, and the panel will provide expert input into the ongoing debate surrounding how they should be regulated and the need to protect human health and the environment.”

Register for Tuesday night’s event here

The event is jointly hosted by the University, Think-Film Impact Production , who believe the presence of forever chemicals in air, water, food and food packaging should be a pressing concern for Scottish audiences, and eOne.