The cost of a university degree would rocket under Business Secretary Vince Cable's proposals to tax university graduates, according to figures released today.The cost of a university degree would rocket under Business Secretary Vince Cable's proposals to tax university graduates, according to figures released today (9 August) by the University and College Union (UCU).UCU, which represents academic and teaching staff, has analysed different models to make graduates pay for their university education based on future earnings.They say that teachers, nurses, doctors and social workers would pay considerably more back than under the current system. Under a model where graduates pay a tax of five per cent over 25 years, teachers would pay back £46,046.This is vastly more than graduates are required to pay back under the current system. At present, the government loans students the money for their tuition fees of £3,025 per year, which they start to pay back once they are earning at least £15,000 per year. The government is awaiting a report from the Browne Review into student funding, which is widely expected to recommend a fee increase.Today's findings will make particularly embarrassing reading for the Business Secretary after he said that teachers and social workers would benefit under his plans.The analysis prompted fears that introducing a graduate tax without protecting those on lower incomes or in key professions such as teaching and social work, could lead to shortages in these areas and a brain drain as graduates move abroad to avoid higher costs.“Students will judge proposed changes to student finance on whether they make university more expensive or not,” said the UCU General Secretary, Sally Hunt.She added, “Whatever scheme is proposed to replace fees, the government must ensure that studying for key professions remains attractive and that the prospect of prohibitive costs over a lifetime will not put off the next generation of innovators and public servants”.Cable's suggestion of a form of graduate tax to replace the current fee system has been seen as an attempt to find a form of university funding to which both parties in the coalition government can agree. Prior to the general election, all Liberal Democrat candidates signed a pledge to vote against any increase in tuition fees, but Tories would be far more likely to back such a rise.But the UCU has described the graduate tax proposal as a “rebrand” of tuition fees.“We urge Vince Cable to look again at the idea of taxing big business for the substantial benefit it gains from a plentiful supply of graduates, rather than merely looking to penalise students further,” added Sally Hunt today.[Ekk/1]

Colombia’s new government must ensure the independence of the country’s justice system, says a leading human rights agency.Colombia’s new government must ensure the independence of the country’s justice system, allowing it to bring to justice those responsible for human rights abuses committed during the country’s long-running armed conflict, Amnesty International (AI) has declared.Juan Manuel Santos was inaugurated as President of Colombia on 7 August 2010, after winning a landslide victory in a second round of elections held on 20 June.“If human rights abusers are to be held to account, urgent action also needs to be taken to stop the killing of and threats against witnesses, lawyers, judges, human rights defenders and prosecutors involved in human rights cases,” said Marcelo Pollack, Colombia researcher at Amnesty International.A UN report on Colombia published earlier this year found that at least 300 people working as part of judicial investigations had been killed in the past 15 years.Amnesty documented the killing, mainly by paramilitaries, of at least eight human rights defenders and 39 trade unionists during 2009“The new government has an opportunity to move away from the hostility shown by the outgoing administration towards human rights defenders and end the culture of impunity that has allowed those who commit abuses to evade justice,” Marcelo Pollack said.Amnesty has also called on the government to resist the temptation to weaken the ability of the civilian courts to investigate security personnel implicated in human rights violations, something suggested only a few months ago by the outgoing administration.The Colombian security forces have in recent years been implicated in thousands of extrajudicial executions of civilians. Most are yet to face trial over such killings.“If the new government is serious about ending impunity it must put an end to the campaign waged by the previous administration to discredit the Colombian Supreme Court, which has successfully prosecuted some of those with links to paramilitaries who carry out human rights violations,” said Marcelo Pollack.“Guerrilla groups must also be condemned for their attacks on civilians. They should once and for all take steps to put an end to the human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed by their fighters.”The situation faced by Indigenous Peoples, as well as by Afro-Colombians and peasant farmers, also remains acute.The global human rights NGO documented the killing of at least 114 Indigenous People in 2009, carried out by members of the guerrilla, the security forces and paramilitaries.“The recent increase in killings of leaders of displaced communities, who are campaigning for the return of lands stolen from them by paramilitary groups, has been a source of particular concern, and urgent action must be taken to protect these leaders”, said AI's Marcelo Pollack.“The new government must also make clear that the defence of human rights is not a threat to the security of the state. An immediate public statement asserting the legitimacy of the work of human rights defenders would help assuage fears that activists will continue to be harassed and left unprotected”.The new government must also ensure that the Interior Ministry’s protection programme for human rights defenders is strengthened to ensure its effectiveness, says Amnesty.President Álvaro Uribe’s government was tainted by its repeated efforts to smear defenders by falsely linking human rights work with support for guerrilla groups. This compromised their safety and weakened their capacity to defend human rights.Amnesty International is also calling for:• The new government to quickly announce a plan, with targets, benchmarks and a timetable, to implement in full the long-standing human rights recommendations of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN treaty bodies and special procedures, as well as those issued by the Inter-American human rights system.• The new government to ensure that the integral mandate of the Office in Colombia of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which expires at the end of October 2010, is renewed.• Guerrilla groups and the security forces to respect the right of civilians not to be drawn into hostilities. All parties to the conflict have been responsible for such abuses as unlawful killings, enforced disappearances or abductions and forced displacement.Amnesty International:http://www.amnesty.org/[Ekk/3]

The UK’s largest children’s charity has revealed new data showing that children are being damaged due to huge delays in the courts in England and Wales.The UK’s largest children’s charity has revealed new data showing that children are being damaged due to huge delays in the courts in England and Wales.A five year long pattern of deterioration has led to family courts taking up to 65 weeks to rule if it is safe for children to stay with their parents, says Barnado's today (9 August 2010).Vulnerable children are waiting on average more than a year (57 weeks) in unstable family homes or emergency foster placements before a county court decides if they will be taken into care, says the charity. In the family proceedings (magistrates) court the average time is 45 weeks – more than 10 months.Court data shows that at the end of 2009 there were 50 per cent more unresolved care proceedings cases than at the end of 2008. According to the The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) in England new applications account for less than half of this increase, indicating that the courts are taking longer to close a significant number of cases.Martin Narey, Barnardo’s chief executive, commented: “An insecurity has spread through the family courts with additional, sequential expert assessments being routinely ordered. This paired with the evident lack of credence given to social workers, is causing unnecessary delay."He continued: “The courts need urgently to reflect on the damage these delays are having on extremely vulnerable children. A year of a child’s life is an inordinate amount of time for them to be trapped in desperate limbo, unclear of their future and very possibly at risk.“During this time, these children might remain at home with neglectful or abusive birth families or be living in emergency foster care, expected to settle with families they may subsequently have to leave.“At a time when stable relationships and secure attachments are vital for a child, they are instead engulfed in a period of uncertainty and confusion,” said Mr Narey.The data published by Barnardo’s also uncovers a ‘postcode lottery’ governing the fate of children waiting for court decisions throughout England and Wales. In 2008-09 the county courts in Humber and South Yorkshire took an average of 46 weeks to come to a decision whilst those in London took 65 weeks, close to a staggering five month difference.Barnardo’s is calling for a radical culture shift in court practice. The Government should give urgent consideration to:* ensuring all cases are dealt with in less than 30 weeks (seven months) with a tiered, fast track target of 12 weeks for children under 18 months.* Providing family group conferencing to all children and families prior to care proceedings to ensure the early identification of kinship care.* Training for all court staff to improve understanding of the impact of delay on child development.* Establishing liaison forums to improve links between the legal and social work professions to ensure there is greater confidence in social workers’ professional expertise.Research shows children experiencing such high levels of placement instability have previously been found to have the poorest levels of adjustment in terms of employment, social relationships, financial management and housing.More on Barnado's:http://www.barnardos.org.uk/[Ekk/3]

Just a month after the buzz from the vuvuzelas ended at the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Singapore is busypreparing to host the next major event in the world sportscalendar–the Youth Olympic Games. But few seem to know, orcare, about the inaugural youth version of the venerableOlympic Games.

Just a month after the buzz from the vuvuzelas ended at the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Singapore is busypreparing to host the next major event in the world sportscalendar–the Youth Olympic Games. But few seem to know, orcare, about the inaugural youth version of the venerableOlympic Games.

As a mining giant prepares to open a major uranium mining site in WesternAustralia next year, the clamour for the state to once more ban mining of theradioactive mineral has become louder.

As a mining giant prepares to open a major uranium mining site in WesternAustralia next year, the clamour for the state to once more ban mining of theradioactive mineral has become louder.

A mosque in Manchester has donated £52,000 to help in the development of a URC inspired community centre.A Manchester mosque has given £52,000 to help develop a United Reformed Church inspired community centre.The Rev Ed Cox, church leader, said: “The investment symbolises the strength of inter-faith relationships in our community. The relationship between the church and the mosque began with plans to develop a joint youth club which, we hope, will now come to fruition when the centre opens later this year.”Levenshulme Inspire will see a prominent URC building on Stockport Road saved from neglect, and transformed into a multi-use centre for the local community, as well as providing worship space for the church congregation. It will include a community cafe, meeting rooms, and a media enterprise centre, as well as the church and social housing apartments.The money given by the Woodfield Avenue Bohra community was promised by the community’s international leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin when he visited. It makes the mosque one of the biggest investors in the Inspire project, which has drawn support from a range of sources, including Manchester City Council and The Big Lottery Fund.Ed Cox explained: “Levenshulme Inspire has come about due to the vision of local church members and is committed to serving some of the most disadvantaged citizens of the area.”The Centre Director, Kate Chappell said: “It’s wonderful to see the community pulling together to make Levenshulme a better place for us all; the level of support has by far exceeded our expectations. Levenshulme Inspire exists to celebrate the diversity of the area and bring people together. We look forward to working further with all members of the community in shaping the activities of our vibrant community hub.”[Ekk/4]

A mosque in Manchester has donated £52,000 to help in the development of a URC inspired community centre.A Manchester mosque has given £52,000 to help develop a United Reformed Church inspired community centre.The Rev Ed Cox, church leader, said: “The investment symbolises the strength of inter-faith relationships in our community. The relationship between the church and the mosque began with plans to develop a joint youth club which, we hope, will now come to fruition when the centre opens later this year.”Levenshulme Inspire will see a prominent URC building on Stockport Road saved from neglect, and transformed into a multi-use centre for the local community, as well as providing worship space for the church congregation. It will include a community cafe, meeting rooms, and a media enterprise centre, as well as the church and social housing apartments.The money given by the Woodfield Avenue Bohra community was promised by the community’s international leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin when he visited. It makes the mosque one of the biggest investors in the Inspire project, which has drawn support from a range of sources, including Manchester City Council and The Big Lottery Fund.Ed Cox explained: “Levenshulme Inspire has come about due to the vision of local church members and is committed to serving some of the most disadvantaged citizens of the area.”The Centre Director, Kate Chappell said: “It’s wonderful to see the community pulling together to make Levenshulme a better place for us all; the level of support has by far exceeded our expectations. Levenshulme Inspire exists to celebrate the diversity of the area and bring people together. We look forward to working further with all members of the community in shaping the activities of our vibrant community hub.”[Ekk/4]

The Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned against growing workaholism, and has commended relaxation and hospitality instead.Writing in his diocesan newsletter, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned against growing workaholism, and has commended relaxation and hospitality instead.The Rt Rev Mark Rylands says that the British have sometimes made a virtue out of unceasing work and have tended to rely upon'being busy'as a way of feeling significant and valued.“We feel guilty when we’re not working and we’re suspicious of anyone who lifts their nose from the grindstone too long,” he declared.He compares Britain with France, which has more national holidays per year and an annual shutdown in August. British workers also have one of the highest records in Europe for time off due to illness and stress.“In our fast paced world, tales of emotional exhaustion and spiritual bankruptcy are not uncommon and stress is a recognised illness. People feel stretched and overloaded – indeed it is expected of them,” said the bishop.He continued: “We were not, however, designed to be forever on the go. Fast paced lifestyles and little sleep rob us not only of energy but also of relationships.”Recommending time for"spiritual refreshment", in the biblical trdaition of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets, the Bishop of Shrewsbury wrote of his concern for the young and old who “seek oblivion” in alcohol, and the commonplace use of anti-depressants.“People are yearning for real rest as the lie of consumerism's ability to satisfy in any meaningful way is being exposed. This deep recession gives us an opportunity and a choice. It could mean that we go on blindly working harder and harder to obtain the things we have grown used to possessing; or it could mean a time to take stock and count our blessings for what we enjoy.”He concludes his letter by calling upon the church “as a creator of community” to model the true worth of human beings as men and women reflecting God's image.“Making room for the marginalised and the newcomer, providing opportunities for people to meet, relax, play together and strengthen friendships, is a wonderful way to help people belong and feel cherished,” wrote Bishop Rylands.[Ekk/3]

The Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned against growing workaholism, and has commended relaxation and hospitality instead.Writing in his diocesan newsletter, the Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has warned against growing workaholism, and has commended relaxation and hospitality instead.The Rt Rev Mark Rylands says that the British have sometimes made a virtue out of unceasing work and have tended to rely upon'being busy'as a way of feeling significant and valued.“We feel guilty when we’re not working and we’re suspicious of anyone who lifts their nose from the grindstone too long,” he declared.He compares Britain with France, which has more national holidays per year and an annual shutdown in August. British workers also have one of the highest records in Europe for time off due to illness and stress.“In our fast paced world, tales of emotional exhaustion and spiritual bankruptcy are not uncommon and stress is a recognised illness. People feel stretched and overloaded – indeed it is expected of them,” said the bishop.He continued: “We were not, however, designed to be forever on the go. Fast paced lifestyles and little sleep rob us not only of energy but also of relationships.”Recommending time for"spiritual refreshment", in the biblical trdaition of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets, the Bishop of Shrewsbury wrote of his concern for the young and old who “seek oblivion” in alcohol, and the commonplace use of anti-depressants.“People are yearning for real rest as the lie of consumerism's ability to satisfy in any meaningful way is being exposed. This deep recession gives us an opportunity and a choice. It could mean that we go on blindly working harder and harder to obtain the things we have grown used to possessing; or it could mean a time to take stock and count our blessings for what we enjoy.”He concludes his letter by calling upon the church “as a creator of community” to model the true worth of human beings as men and women reflecting God's image.“Making room for the marginalised and the newcomer, providing opportunities for people to meet, relax, play together and strengthen friendships, is a wonderful way to help people belong and feel cherished,” wrote Bishop Rylands.[Ekk/3]

The judge presiding over the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran has extended their detention by two months, while they still await a verdict.The judge presiding over the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran has extended their detention by two months, it was reported late last week.No verdict has been yet been handed down from the final session of the trial of the seven, which took place on 14 June 2010.The seven were taken to the judge's office on 28 July. The judge informed them in the presence of a member of their legal team that their detention had been extended for another two months as of 22 July.Lawyers for the Baha'i leaders have submitted a written objection to the ongoing detention, making it absolutely clear that there is no legal basis whatsoever on which to refuse their request that the defendants be released on bail.Baha’is in the UK, amongst whom are relatives of the imprisoned Baha’is in Iran, are increasingly concerned for the safety of their fellow Baha'is in Iran."The seven are now entering the third year of their supposedly temporary detention,"said Dr Kishan Manocha, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the UK Baha'i community's national governing body."This continuing detention of seven innocent Baha'is, in grossly inhumane conditions, constitutes an appalling violation of their human rights,"said Dr Manocha.He continued:"The government of Iran must recognise that its treatment of the Baha'is will remain under close international scrutiny. We call upon the Iranian authorities to accept that they are responsible for this deplorable injustice and to release the seven without delay."In a statement issued following a meeting with representatives of the UK Baha'i community back in June, the UK Foreign Office minister, Alistair Burt, expressed the government's concern about the fate of the seven Baha'i leaders."I call on the Iranian Government to ensure, without delay, that the rights of these individuals are fully protected; that they are given due legal process, including being released on bail and given a fair and transparent trial, in accordance with international standards,"said Mr Burt.The seven defendants are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm.Before their imprisonment, they attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s Baha’i community, which numbers more than 300,000. Ms Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 and the others on 14 May 2008.The seven have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested. Their trial consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January after they had been imprisoned without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel.There are currently 47 Baha’is in detention in various cities in Iran because of their religious affiliation.[Ekk/3]

The judge presiding over the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran has extended their detention by two months, while they still await a verdict.The judge presiding over the trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran has extended their detention by two months, it was reported late last week.No verdict has been yet been handed down from the final session of the trial of the seven, which took place on 14 June 2010.The seven were taken to the judge's office on 28 July. The judge informed them in the presence of a member of their legal team that their detention had been extended for another two months as of 22 July.Lawyers for the Baha'i leaders have submitted a written objection to the ongoing detention, making it absolutely clear that there is no legal basis whatsoever on which to refuse their request that the defendants be released on bail.Baha’is in the UK, amongst whom are relatives of the imprisoned Baha’is in Iran, are increasingly concerned for the safety of their fellow Baha'is in Iran."The seven are now entering the third year of their supposedly temporary detention,"said Dr Kishan Manocha, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the UK Baha'i community's national governing body."This continuing detention of seven innocent Baha'is, in grossly inhumane conditions, constitutes an appalling violation of their human rights,"said Dr Manocha.He continued:"The government of Iran must recognise that its treatment of the Baha'is will remain under close international scrutiny. We call upon the Iranian authorities to accept that they are responsible for this deplorable injustice and to release the seven without delay."In a statement issued following a meeting with representatives of the UK Baha'i community back in June, the UK Foreign Office minister, Alistair Burt, expressed the government's concern about the fate of the seven Baha'i leaders."I call on the Iranian Government to ensure, without delay, that the rights of these individuals are fully protected; that they are given due legal process, including being released on bail and given a fair and transparent trial, in accordance with international standards,"said Mr Burt.The seven defendants are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm.Before their imprisonment, they attended to the spiritual and social needs of Iran’s Baha’i community, which numbers more than 300,000. Ms Sabet was arrested on 5 March 2008 and the others on 14 May 2008.The seven have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested. Their trial consisted of six brief court appearances which began on 12 January after they had been imprisoned without charge for 20 months, during which time they were allowed barely one hour's access to their legal counsel.There are currently 47 Baha’is in detention in various cities in Iran because of their religious affiliation.[Ekk/3]

Sixty-five years after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, says Olav Fykse Tveit, more and more people are working to rekindle the vision of a world without nuclear weapons.On 6 and 8 August 2010 we again mourn the people who died from the atomic bombings of 1945 and extend our solidarity and resolve to those who survive.The pain of this important anniversary is threefold. There are the shattered families, recurring traumas and unnatural deaths that have affected hundreds of thousands of people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is the fact that, 65 years on, nuclear bombs still threaten humanity and deny a lasting peace. There is also the legacy that since 1945 the world is divided into two camps – a handful of states that assert the right to have weapons of mass annihilation and the majority of states that do not.Such inequity and division is not the heritage of humanity. The Bible urges us to"choose life"so that all may live. As if in response, 65 years after Hiroshima, more and more people are working to rekindle the vision of a world without nuclear weapons.More than 4,000 mayors from 144 countries have joined the mayors of the bombed Japanese cities in an association called Mayors for Peace. They insist that"Cities are not targets".In several nations, elder statesmen and former military generals have reversed lifelong positions and come out for nuclear abolition. On several continents, parliamentarians, physicians, lawyers and scientists are campaigning with their peers for the abolition of nuclear weapons.In different countries around the globe people of faith are standing together for a world without nuclear weapons. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and member churches are promoting ratification of a new arms control agreement between Russia and the US, rejuvenation of disarmament forums and reform of NATO’s nuclear policy.The WCC and churches from Australasia to Africa have helped governments establish nuclear-weapon-free zones that now cover 116 countries and more than half the world.The ecumenical community is also preparing for an international convocation in May 2011 in Jamaica on the pursuit of'just peace', a peace where there is no place for weapons that put humanity and the planet at risk.In 2010, the atomic bomb survivors of 1945 continue to live lives of courage and endurance, witnessing to the hope that no one will ever again suffer as they have suffered.For the first time this year, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will honour them with his presence at the memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima. The United States will send an ambassador for the first time also. One hopes that the other nuclear-armed governments might be represented as well.This weekend we turn our hearts toward the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, asking God to bless governments and citizens with new resolve to protect the sanctity of life.----------(c)Olav Fykse Tveitis General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, based in Geneva, Switzerland.* Prayers and liturgy for Hiroshima Day -http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/unity-missio...* WCC project: Churches engaged for nuclear arms control -http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affi...

Sixty-five years after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, says Olav Fykse Tveit, more and more people are working to rekindle the vision of a world without nuclear weapons.On 6 and 8 August 2010 we again mourn the people who died from the atomic bombings of 1945 and extend our solidarity and resolve to those who survive.The pain of this important anniversary is threefold. There are the shattered families, recurring traumas and unnatural deaths that have affected hundreds of thousands of people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There is the fact that, 65 years on, nuclear bombs still threaten humanity and deny a lasting peace. There is also the legacy that since 1945 the world is divided into two camps – a handful of states that assert the right to have weapons of mass annihilation and the majority of states that do not.Such inequity and division is not the heritage of humanity. The Bible urges us to"choose life"so that all may live. As if in response, 65 years after Hiroshima, more and more people are working to rekindle the vision of a world without nuclear weapons.More than 4,000 mayors from 144 countries have joined the mayors of the bombed Japanese cities in an association called Mayors for Peace. They insist that"Cities are not targets".In several nations, elder statesmen and former military generals have reversed lifelong positions and come out for nuclear abolition. On several continents, parliamentarians, physicians, lawyers and scientists are campaigning with their peers for the abolition of nuclear weapons.In different countries around the globe people of faith are standing together for a world without nuclear weapons. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and member churches are promoting ratification of a new arms control agreement between Russia and the US, rejuvenation of disarmament forums and reform of NATO’s nuclear policy.The WCC and churches from Australasia to Africa have helped governments establish nuclear-weapon-free zones that now cover 116 countries and more than half the world.The ecumenical community is also preparing for an international convocation in May 2011 in Jamaica on the pursuit of'just peace', a peace where there is no place for weapons that put humanity and the planet at risk.In 2010, the atomic bomb survivors of 1945 continue to live lives of courage and endurance, witnessing to the hope that no one will ever again suffer as they have suffered.For the first time this year, the Secretary-General of the United Nations will honour them with his presence at the memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima. The United States will send an ambassador for the first time also. One hopes that the other nuclear-armed governments might be represented as well.This weekend we turn our hearts toward the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, asking God to bless governments and citizens with new resolve to protect the sanctity of life.----------(c)Olav Fykse Tveitis General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, based in Geneva, Switzerland.* Prayers and liturgy for Hiroshima Day -http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/unity-missio...* WCC project: Churches engaged for nuclear arms control -http://www.oikoumene.org/programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affi...