Sally Reith - Investing in a Fairer World
Unique Investment and/or volunteering opportunities within fair trade finance.
As the South East Supporter Relations Officer for Shared Interest my role is to increase membership and support for Shared Interest so that we can lend more money to fair trade businesses in the developing world. After finishing a Masters in Social Development at the University of Sussex I joined Shared Interest in November 2008 which has enabled me to develop my awareness of fair trade. Having spent some time volunteering in Tanzania I became interested in the concept of giving a helping hand rather than a hand out, something I feel fair trade has at its heart. I hope to continue raising interest and investment in Shared Interest and having visited South Africa with our charitable arm, Shared Interest Foundation, I see the real demand for what we do and the duty we have to continue to meet this demand.
Contact: Shared Interest: 07795 825442 • www.shared-interest.com

Brigit Strawbridge - Bee Aware
assisted by Louise Watson
The decline in the bee population is well covered in the media, but it's not only honeybees that are suffering. In this inspiring and informative talk, Brigit Strawbridge explains the importance of (and difference between) social and solitary bees, the problems they face and how you can help them out in your back gardens and allotments. NB this talk is NOT about beekeeping! The 'Bumblebee Conservation Trust' is a good source for anyone who wants further information about bees.
Brigit Strawbridge moved with her family to a smallholding in Cornwall in 2005, where their endeavours to live a more sustainable lifestyle were the subject of the BBC2 series "Itís Not Easy Being Green". Following the screening of the series in 2006 Brigit moved back to Malvern, Worcestershire, where she founded "The Big Green Idea" charity to help show people how simple and inexpensive it can be to live a green and ethical life. Over the last couple of years Brigit has become increasingly concerned about the plight of our native bees - and now talks, writes and campaigns to raise awareness of the problems they face.
Contact: 07974 809135 • www.thebiggreenidea.org

Mac Macartney - Living a Courageous Life
This talk is a powerful and impassioned call, an invitation to follow your heart's longing and follow the Twin Trail - the inner path of learning & growing, and the outer path of having effect in the world.
Mac is the founder of Embercombe. Located in a 50 acre valley in Devon Embercombe seeks to 'inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world'. Mentored by Native American Metis people for twenty years, Mac is the author of 'Finding Earth, Finding Soul', and an inspiring and insightful speaker.
Contact: Embercombe • 01647 252983 • www.embercombe.co.uk

Dada Jyotirupananda - Yogic Meditation: The Gateway to Vibrant Health
assisted by Didi Ananda Tattvaveda
Can a pure diet help us to be more in tune with the universe and thus able to live a more fulfilled life? The benefits of a vegetarian diet go beyond physical health. Such a diet has a great, positive impact on our mind and our spiritual development, as well as for our global environmental and economic health. A healthy, conscious diet will guide us toward a deeper sense of personal fulfillment, which can be seen as a deeper sense of spirituality. Thus a pure diet helps is to be more in tune with the universe and more able to live a fulfilled life on every level.
Dada Jyotirupananda has been a meditation teacher for about 25 years. His book, Meditation: In Search of the Real Self, was published by O Books, in September, 2009. He is also the editor of New Renaissance (www.ru.org) a magazine for social and spiritual awakening. Dada teaches classes and personal meditation practices throughout England and Europe.
Contact: Ananda Marga - 020 8806 4250 - www.ru.org - www.londonandmeditation.org.uk