A topical poetry competition addressing global concerns such as war and racism is part of a programme of events organised in Calne for One World Week.

People are asked to compose an updated version of a poem written by Richard Skinner in 1988, entitled This Will Be The Week, which tackles issues such as the environment, famine and nuclear weapons. Many of the problems are still relevant but organisers want the new version to consider topics such as AIDS, fuel and fair trade.

Circumstances used to illustrate issues in the poem, such as apartheid in South Africa and the conflict between Iran and Iraq, have also changed and need updating to fit in with events in the present day.

One World Week in Calne committee member Derek Quinn said: "If we manage to make people stop and think and realise that we are all part of one world and we all bear a responsibility for what goes on, then the week will have been a success."

Shirley Rhymer, who is also on the committee, said: "We want people to watch the news, read their newspapers and update the poem so it is relevant for today's world."

The competition is open to adults and young people aged 15 and above. The winner, who will be announced during One World Week, will receive a signed anthology of Richard Skinner's poems.

One World Week in Calne has been organised in conjunction with Marlborough this year. The theme is One World into Action with emphasis on addressing racism, locally and globally, trade, who gains and who loses, fuel, what's the cost, and AIDS, being positive.

The programme of events for the week, from October 20 to October 27, has not yet been finalised but there will be two lectures in Marlborough. The Earth Summit, What Next on October 22 and An Evening in Zimbabwe on October 24.

In Calne, the One World Week committee has been working closely with schools and young people. Pupils at John Bentley School will perform a drama about the real cost of chocolate on October 24, based on how third world farmers are exploited by multi-national companies.

Mr Quinn said there were also plans to organise an exchange of pupils between John Bentley School and St John's in Marlborough. The idea is to encourage students to look outside their own communities, have new experiences and meet new people.

There will be a display about One World Week in the library, where readers will be invited to share the organisation's vision of the world as it might be. And on September 27 the Talbot pub, in London Road, will include a round of One World Week themed questions in the pub quiz at 8pm and the choir Jubilate will give a recital in Marden House on October 26.

For further details about the poetry competition ring (01249) 812725 or or e-mail derekquinn_uk@yahoo.co.uk