Manchester’s kindness has officially been recognised after the city was named the charitable ‘humanitarian powerhouse’ of the north.
The accolade was awarded to the city at an event hosted by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), which celebrated the generosity and hard work of Manchester-based humanitarian aid groups and their far-reaching impact across the world.
Taking place at the People’s History Museum, it was revealed that in 2020 alone, Manchester-based humanitarian aid organisations helped over five million women, girls, boys, and men in over 100 countries – spreading their arms out to support their global brothers and sisters in need.
❝In a world where humanitarian crises have become extremely complex and messy, Mancunians have stepped up to the challenge and continue to fight for justice and human rights❞
“The city is home to some of the world’s leading charities and NGO’s,” said Syria Relief’s CEO Othman Moqbel, whose Salford-based charity is the largest Syria-focused organisation in the whole of the UK.
“It speaks volumes of the kind of globally connected and compassionate city Manchester is.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Local charity organisations gathered together on 16 September for the event, which was attended by MAG, Syria Relief, University of Manchester HCRI, Hope for Justice, In Place of War, Omega Research Foundation, UK-Med and GISF.
The lord mayor and lady mayoress of Manchester also attended the event, alongside local MPs Afzal Khan and Mike Kane.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to The Meteor, organiser Lizzie Humphreys from MAG said: “Everyone knows the London human rights organisations, but why not Manchester? There are so many organisations here doing incredible work.”
Manchester has had a long history of supporting human rights and setting examples across the world, which the event at the People’s History Museum exemplified.
Celebrating the city’s community spirit and how its impact has reached far beyond the greater authority’s borders, it made clear that Manchester’s humanitarian spirit is felt across the world due to the hard work of local organisations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Organisers MAG, for example, has worked to find and destroys landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs in wartorn areas of conflict since 1989 – helping over 19 million people in 68 countries in the past 31 years.
The charity showcased its work at the event, explaining that children are often victims of landmines whilst women going out to collect cooking water can often end up collecting polluted, dangerous liquid instead.
It also revealed a new partnership between itself and HCRI (the University of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute), which will aim to develop research to help the world move more quickly towards a landmine-free future.
MAG CEO Darren Cormack said: “MAG is delighted to host this event to celebrate the life-saving humanitarian work that organisations across Manchester are undertaking every day.
“Whilst global in nature, employing 5,000 staff and working in over 25 countries, we are also proudly Mancunian. We take inspiration from our city’s rich history of innovation and social change as we carry out our mission to save lives and build futures for people affected by conflict.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Afzal Khan, the Manchester Gorton MP and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, said: “I am delighted to see the humanitarian community coming together to demonstrate what a powerful and positive impact Manchester has around the world.
“From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, and from clearing landmines to fighting modern slavery, Manchester NGOs and charities are making a real difference by supporting communities in some of the most vulnerable and conflict-affected countries across the world.”
News
Four rare African ducklings have been hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time
More conversation celebration down the road at Chester Zoo, as the award-winning wildlife park has welcomed four African ducklings who belong to a rare breed.
As is so often the case with the work they do all year-round, their arrival could help signal the species’ survival in the long run, whose status was sadly upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the official IUCN Red List.
The particular type of fowl we’re referring to is the Maccao duck, a stiff-tailed bird that typically belongs to the fresh and brackish inland waters of Eastern and Southern Africa.
Medium-sized, chunky, with big bills and subtle striping around their heads, they’re gorgeous creatures as is, but especially so as ducklings…
If you didn’t say ‘awww’ out loud, then you’re just lying.
As the Zoo itself put it, they are “rare, fluffy and VERY cute.” Celebrating what is “a breeding breakthrough for one of Africa’s rarest ducks […] so these little guys are kind of a big deal.”
These little delightful little duckies are known for diving down to the bottom of lakes and riverbeds to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants; in fact, given the choice, they tend to prefer going underwater over flying pretty much full-stop.
As a resident species that doesn’t migrate like many other birds, they are native to nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. They’re identifiable by their dark black heads, blue bills (among the males, at least) and presence within the wetlands.
However, their estimated numbers continue to drop, and unfortunately, just 14 of their kind currently remain in Kenya and only 100 in Tanzania, with fewer than 5,000 believed to be left across the entire African continent.
Not only is this the first time the species has ever been successfully bred by bird experts at Chester Zoo, but conservationists hope ducklings will put a spotlight on the threatened species.
Their scientific name is ‘Oxyura maccoa’.Just like human babies, they prone to stuff all over their face.As far as ducklings go, these adorable little African variants are pretty special. (Credit: Supplied)
The zoo’s Head of Birds, Andrew Owen, said of their birth: “As one of just seven zoos in Europe – and 12 zoos globally – that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they’re the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team,
“This success gives a real boost to the future of the species, and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.
“To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa’s most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.”
Nothing short of brilliant news, we’re sure you’ll agree; better still, in addition to the crucially charitable and conversation-based tourist attraction being named one of England’s most popular destinations once again, but these are the only rare birds welcome by the zookeepers this month.
A Vogue immersive show titled ‘Inventing the Runway’ is coming to Manchester, and it’s even co-created by Anna Wintour herself.
Ever fancied learning more about the fashion world? Well, now’s your chance to hear everything you need to know from global fashion leaders and lifestyle magazine Vogue.
The Anna Wintour-approved immersive experience comes alongside the announcement of Factory International‘s Winter lineup, which features another new event all about voyaging to the moon.
This Vogue-fronted experience will incorporate interviews, visual media and more to help attendees visualise fashion shows of the past, present and future.
As well as understanding how fashion shows became the pinnacle of a designer’s vision, this runway-themed display also includes looking back at iconic moments of fashion and pop culture.
‘Inventing the Runway’ by Vogue is focusing on outfits worn by models and A-listers alike, with narration from the one and only Cate Blanchett.
You can expect to see curated pieces by significant creative minds in fashion history like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and lots more.
Throughout the Vogue experience, as well as coming visually face to face with fashion, you will also hear a soundscape that perfectly reflects this innovative industry with a fusion of classical and pop music.
This fashion exhibition uses the same Lightroom technology behind the impressive David Hockney experience that opened back in December.
Vogue is using this show to honour anyone who has made an impact in the fashion world.The Met Gala has become a staple in everyone’s calendar year in and year out.First Northern Quarter’s Chanel show, now this… Très chic. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/GoodFon)
Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue said: “At Vogue, we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves.”
“This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”
You can experience Vogue’s ‘Inventing the Runway’ immersive show from 18 December to 10 January when it visits Aviva Studios this winter.
Find out more information and grab your tickets HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
30th September 2021 
