Copenhagen Conference better than some say

In some quarters the recent Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is being called a debacle. This view is too harsh.

Yes, the conference failed to achieve a binding agreement at the end. But this was the kind of failure that is partly a success because the attempt was made in the face of great obstacles.

Consider the depth of the issues that are coming to a head because of the threat of climate catastrophe. They include the divide between the rich and poor nations, the still-bitter legacy of colonialism, conflict of rival political systems, confronting the obsolescence of state sovereignty, and the inertia of millions of voters who are more preoccupied with economic worries than ecological doom.

The conference delegates had to struggle to find agreement with these huge issues coming into play between them. Watching BBC news reports I was struck by the earnestness with which they approached the task.

This event may yet go down in history as a significant early occasion when world leaders and civil society, in great numbers, gathered to seriously address global problems globally.

At this stage though, everything depends on whether the momentum keeps going, or the will to act fades away. The figures that scientists are giving us these days on climate change are concentrating minds like never before. This is not a time to let patterns of the past determine the future.

Artist highlights plight of Baha'is of Iran

Shahriar Asdollah-zadeh of Auckland Baha'i community will be exhibiting his multimedia artwork on the Baha'i martyrs of Iran alongside two other national touring exhibitions.

The three concurrent exhibitions open on 14 December and go until 7 February.

The opening will be at the Whangarei Art Museum on 14 December. The exhibitions will be officially opened by prominent local Baha'i personality and tohunga whakairo Te Warihi Heteraka.

Shahriar's exhibition is well timed to coincide with International Human Rights Day on 10 December. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva has asked the public to celebrate and support Human Rights Day by advocating non-discrimination, organizing activities, raising awareness and reaching out to local communities on 10 December and throughout 2010.

More information can be found in press releases issued by the Whangarei Art Museum. Please follow these links:

Baha'i Martyrs press release

Ey! Iran press release