Thousands of supporters turned out for the Refugees Are Welcome Rally last Sunday

Refugee Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about who refugees are, the challanges they face and the contributions they make to our community. The week runs from the 20th to the 26th of June and the theme for this year is Freedom From Fear.

Get involved by learning more about Refugee Week and going to an event in your area. For info on the week and events go to  www.refugeeweek.org.au

Sunday June 20th

12 noon at the State Library,  Swanston St

Show your support for asylum seekers and refugees by joining the rally and march this Sunday on World Refugee Day.

A broad coalition of individuals and groups, under the unbrella of the “Refugee Advocates Network”, have got together to organise to the rally and will be calling on the government to reverse the freeze on processing asylum claims, and opposing the re-opening of Curtin Detention Centre.

Fore more info see the rally website

JustAct is once again getting behind Anti Poverty Week; it aims to:

• Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia
• Encourages research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

Everyone who is interested in helping to reduce poverty and hardship here or overseas is encouraged to organise their own activities during the Anti-Poverty Week or join in some being organised by other people. Do you want to join in Anti-Poverty Week 2010? STEP ONE: Click here to send Anti-Poverty Week your contact details and/or to tell them what you are thinking of doing. STEP TWO: If you decide to organise an activity, click here to give Anti-Poverty Week all the details for the Calendar of Activities.

There are a lot of problems with jewellery. There is good stuff going on, but there aren’t large amounts of good news.

- Cameron Neil, from Fairtrade Labelling Australia and New Zealand (FTLANZ) commenting on the serious environmental and ethical questions around the jewellery industry (much of the ‘fiddly work’ of cutting and polishing the world’s precious stones, such as rubies and sapphires, is done by children). Mr Cameron will be speaking at the upcoming Justice and International Mission Unit Convention.

I really hope that the Christian community and the World Council of Churches and others will really support us peace-loving people in the world to protest against this massacre and to really support our demands to lift the blockade to Gaza and see the Israeli security penalised who shot innocent people. We have a moral and Christian commitment I guess to speak out aloud against any sort of human rights violations.

- Annette Groth, a member of the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament. A member of the Left Party, Ms Groth has been active in the ecumenical movement since she was a student and has worked for religious groups in Rotterdam, Geneva and Barbados where she was the director of the Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism until 1999.

Episode 18 of the popular show features American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, stand up comedian Craig Hill, musically diverse Bob Brozman, and Melbourne comedian Denise Scott.
There is also a special performance by Squawkestra. For more info click here here. Uniting Church Victoria and Tasmania Associate General Secretary Rev Peter Blackwood is in the string section.

Check it out on iView

The current system of social support payments is fraught with disincentives. It is stigmatising, complicated and confusing. It forces people into a dehumanising system of hoops and mazes that challenges the logic of most people, let alone those facing an acute mental health problem or unexpected caring responsibilities.

- UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Susan Helyar on a recent report (Australia Institute’s report Missing out: Unclaimed government assistance and concession benefits) which shows that 168,000 Australians are likely to be missing out on payments to which they are entitled across just four Centrelink payments – Parenting Payment, Carer Allowance, Disability Support Pension and Bereavement Allowance. (To read the Australia Institute paper, click here)

Them being sentenced cannot foster any remedy to the problem, all that is needed in the community is education. Especially for our young Tasmanians, they need to be educated about how other people looks like, where they are coming from, what is bringing them to this beautiful country, you know we need to live a peaceful and harmonious life.

- Isaiah Lahai, commenting on his attack by two young brothers. He says that the bashing left him traumatised and says he is too scared to return to work.

World Environment Day 2010: Many species, one planet, one future

UnitingJustice has produced a collection of resources to help Church members mark World Environment Day 2010.

This year the global theme for the day is one of biodiversity: many species, one planet, one future.

The resources include fact sheets on WED, biodiversity, endangered species and illegal logging, activities for congregations, worship resources, sermon starters and a theological reflection on the theme.

For more information and to download these resources, go to UnitingJustice  website.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and encourage political attention and action. It is celebrated annually on 5 June.

Ordinary Courage is a book about Donna Mulhearn’s journey to Baghdad as a human shield.  The launch will include reflection, readings, Q&A and will be launched by the Rev Tim Costello in conversation.

Thursday June 10, 6.30-8pm Readings Bookstore Carlton Free – bookings required – 9347 6633 or events@readings.com.au

For more information