Exclusion and Embrace 2016: Disability, Justice and Spirituality - understanding sacred texts, and the experiences of people with disabilities and carers within the context of faith

Exclusion and Embrace 2016: Disability, Justice and Spirituality

From August 21, 2016 03:04 until August 23, 2016 05:04

•  At Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia

The Australian Catholic University, The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, The Progressive Christian Network of Victoria Inc., would like to invite you to:

2016 Exclusion and Embrace Conference

Date: 21-23 August 2016

Venue: Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia.

This Conference is a rare opportunity to bring together people interested in understandings of sacred texts, and the experiences of people with disabilities and carers within the context of faith. This  multi-faith Australasian Conference  has the support of a wide number of organisations including the Jewish Christian Muslim Association (JCMA) and the Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV). The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania is providing the Conference Secretariat.

The Conference will draw on the wisdom of all faiths, and will deepen our understanding of the many aspects of disability and spirituality. We are interested in your experience, research, practice, and ideas and knowledge.

Among the themes explored will be ethics, care, inclusion in faith communities, friendship, discrimination, love, justice, liberation.

In Australia, and abroad, an increasing number of people are actively exploring the intersection of disability and spirituality. An excellent Conference program will present perspectives across the faith spectrum, with opportunities for dialogue and formation of new networks. It will have appeal to people who live with disability, families and carers, academics and practitioners (volunteers and staff).

Two esteemed speakers will be keynoters at our Conference: Prof Hans Reinders is Chair of Ethics at VU University, Holland, and editor of the journal Religion and Disability. Rev Bill Gaventa is Director of the Summer Institute of Theology and Disability and President-elect of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). We are also delighted that an Australian cast of presenters is increasingly coming on board: Prof David Tacey an interdisciplinary scholar who is widely published for his knowledge of Australian spirituality. Other presenters include Lorna Hallahan, Sheik Isse Musse, Melinda Jones and Diana Cousens (see website Speakers tab for details).

There will also be an exhibition of artworks that reflect people’s experience of disability and spirituality, as it relates to the conference theme.

View and download the brochure (note: when printing remember to tick print on both sides and flip on short edge)

The Conference is also seeking Abstracts within these three streams, as they relate to disability and spirituality.

(i)         Supports in faith communities/service providers

(ii)        Sa­cred texts/theological understandings of disability

(iii)       Theological Educa­tion/Research.

Please go to Call for Presentations for details of Abstract Details and Guidelines. Abstracts need to be submitted by 10 April, 2016. Presentations may include formal papers, posters, personal stories, poetry, or other approaches.

We invite presentations which address aspects and experiences as they relate to spirituality and disability. Themes include liberation, education, bioethics, reconciliation, sexuality, pastoral care, inclusion, love, theological interpretations. All presenters must be registered for the event by 15 July, 2016.

Other sponsors and endorsers include Spiritual Health Victoria, Spiritual Care Australia, Christian Blind Mission, Victorian Council of Churches, Progressive Christian Network Victoria, Australian Catholic University and the University of Divinity.

As part of the Conference, we are also launching and displaying an  Art Exhibition, depicting the conference themes. Andy Calder, Conference Convenor

Further Information:  Ann Byrne  The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania  Email: ann.byrne@victas.uca.org.au

Phone: (03) 9251 5404

Endorsed by: Faith Communities Council of Victoria, Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia, Victorian Council of Churches, Spiritual Care Australia, Spiritual Health Victoria and University of Divinity.

Dale Hess calendar week beginning 15-10-19

Wednesday 21 October 7:30 pm - 9pm: Tim Colebatch: Tax Changes or Tax Reform?  Tim Colebatch is a writer, freelance journalist, and former economics editor of the Age. In the first half of his long career, before focusing on economics, he covered many roles, including environment writer, investigative reporter, editorial writer, political and economic columnist, and Washington correspondent. 

Venue: The Study Centre Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill, Best entry via 34 Bedford Street. Entry free. Donations welcome. Refreshments afterwards. Info: 03 9890 1077 | 0409 897 971

Thursday 22 October, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm: Syria – What is Happening? Speaker: Shahram Akbarzadeh,who is a Research Professor of Middle East and Central Asian Politics. Dr Akbarzadeh works at Deakin University. He has an active research interest in the politics of Central Asia, Islam, Muslims in Australia and the Middle East. We will give an update on the various ways Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project is helping asylum seekers and also explore the needs and what further assistance is needed. Venue: St Joseph’s Hall (beside the bluestone church), 274 Rouse Street , Port Melbourne. Contact:   03 9696 2107.

Monday 26 October, 7 pm – 9.30 pm: Peace in Australia: The untold story: From Military Security to Human Security: Beyond the Cold War & War on Terror. Launch of Peace Museum. The Road Taken: from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq Emeritus Professor with Joseph Camilleri OAM, La Trobe University; Followed by questions and comments The Road We Must Travel:  Prof Camilleri in conversation with Prof Jacqui True, Monash University; Prof Robyn Eckersley, University of Melbourne; A/Prof Marianne Hanson, University of Queensland. Venue: Unitarian Peace Memorial Church 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne. Presented by Pax Christi Victoria for the Anzac Centenary Peace Coalition. Further information: camrita44@gmail.com

Wednesday 28 October, 10 am – 11.30 am: The Australian Climate Security Panel. Australia and its neighbours are on the frontline of climate change. Soaring temperatures, rising sea levels and increases in extreme weather events will play a role in raising the risk of conflict, increasing the displacement of people and worsening the extent of destruction caused by extreme weather events in our region Hosted by UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, the panel will discuss climate change, its security implications and the steps being taken by the US and UK militaries to be prepared. Speakers: Rear Admiral David Titley, USN (Ret.), who initiated and led the US Navy’s Task Force on Climate Change whilst serving in the Pentagon; Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, RN (Ret.), who acted as the UK Government’s Climate and Energy Security Envoy;Admiral Chris Barrie (Ret.), Australia's former Chief of Defence; Professor Will Steffen, world leading climate change expert and Climate Councillor. Where: UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Tickets are limited, click here for more information and to reserve your seat in the auditorium.

Wednesday 4 November, 6 pm to 8:30 pm: Impossible Climate: Safe Climate Restoration Under the Microscope. Advocacy for the restoration of a safe climate calls for solutions that the world does not currently possess.. The central question remains ‘is safe climate restoration possible and, if not, what level of action is now morally defensible and yet practically achievable?’ Join Breakthrough for this special forum to examine and critique the recently published discussion paper Striking Targets, with author Philip Sutton. 
FORUM PANELLISTS: Ben Courtice, Friends of the Earth Climate Campaigner; Andrea Bunting, Climate Activist, Researcher & Writer; David Spratt, Climate Policy Analyst; Mark Wakeham, CEO Environment Victoria;Adrian Whitehead, Save The Planet Campaign Manager. Venue: University of Melbourne, Ground Floor, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053. Free event, donations welcome. Register:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/im-possible-climate-tickets-19009790796

Friday 6 November – Saturday 7 November, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm: Turn Conflicts into Opportunities. Our relationships are often the most important thing in our life. But when was the last time you took the time to explore how YOU can build better relationships with yourself and others? The "Turn Conflicts to Opportunities" training is a GREAT opportunity to share in a safe and supportive space, and really dive deep into powerful, transformative tools, so that you can integrate them into your life and use them daily. Facilitator: Efrat Wolfson. At Leisure Centre, Eastwood Street, Ballarat VIC. Costs? $355 / $325 early bird special (till 5/10). For more info: For more details and testimonials - click on this link 

Monday 9 November – Tuesday 10 November, 9 am – 5 pm: Community Development: Introductory Course. Become more confident in designing & facilitating community development programs & activities. Learn practical ways of empowering communities; understand the basic concepts of Community Development; examine power and change processes; discuss community development practices; hold conversations with experienced Community Development workers; access to further learning resources; come to understand the field; use the modes of head (intellect), heart (feelings), hands (practical work with people) and feet (groundedness). Venue: 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.

Tuesday 10 November, 6.30 pm – 8 pm: When Brunswick and Coburg voted “NO” to war. Brunswick and Coburg’s dramatic history and role in the WW1 referendums on conscription will be discussed at  a public meeting on 10 November. The people of Brunswick and Coburg voted “No” to conscription. Local leaders included John Curtin, Frank Anstey and Bella Guerin.  Anti-conscription campaigners were imprisoned in Coburg’s Pentridge Gaol both in WW1 and during the Vietnam War - including speaker Michael Hamel-Green. The inaugural meeting of the Brunswick-Coburg 1916-17 Anti-Conscription Commemoration Committee (BCCCC) -  with suggested future activities presented for discussion. All welcome.  WHERE: St Ambrose Community Centre, 287 Sydney Rd Brunswick (the centre for anti-conscription campaigners in 1916-17!). INFO: Nancy, 0490 182 041

Wednesday 11 November – Thursday 12 November, 9 am – 5 pm: Community Development: Intermediate Course. Become more confident in designing & facilitating community development programs & activities. Learn practical ways of empowering communities; understand the basic concepts of Community Development; examine power and change processes; discuss community development practices; hold conversations with experienced Community Development workers; access to further learning resources; come to understand the field; use the modes of head (intellect), heart (feelings), hands (practical work with people) and feet (groundedness). Venue: 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.

Wednesday 11 November, 6 pm: Book launch: World War One: A History in 100 Stories by Prof Bruce Scates, Rebecca Wheatley, Laura James. The event will also feature a lecture ‘Remembering and Forgetting War’ by Jay Winter. Venue: Museum Theatre, Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053. Free event, but bookings essential:  ncas.enquiries@monash.edu. Refreshments provided.

Saturday 14 November – Sunday 15 November, 9.30 am – 5.30 pm: Turn Conflicts into Opportunities.Our relationships are often the most important thing in our life. But when was the last time you took the time to explore how YOU can build better relationships with yourself and others? The "Turn Conflicts to Opportunities" training is a GREAT opportunity to share in a safe and supportive space, and really dive deep into powerful, transformative tools, so that you can integrate them into your life and use them daily. Facilitator: Efrat Wolfson.At St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, 385 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne. Costs? $355 / $325 early bird special (till 5/10). For more info:  For more details and testimonials - click on this link 

Saturday 14 November – Thursday 19 November: The Nonviolent Interfaith Leadership Program.Participants of the program will come together for a 5-day retreat in Melbourne at the beautiful Edmund Rice Retreat and Spirituality Centre ‘Amberley’ situated on a bend of the Yarra River in Lower Plenty. In an inspiring interfaith environment, participants will form a community of practice and together study the art of nonviolent leadership in ways that will deepen their leadership potential and expand their capacity to make vital contributions to their community and the world. A team of highly skilled, richly experienced and deeply spiritual facilitators will guide participants through a 5-day retreat. For details see:http://www.nonviolentinterfaithleadership.org/announcement-2015-program/

Friday 27 November, 5.30 pm: Climate Rally. This November, the climate talks will be held in Paris, home of the baguette, the beret and – in a foreboding symbol for heads of state – the guillotine. Of course, throughout history Paris has also been home to mass demonstrations that toppled unpopular regimes, a fact that shouldn’t be lost on leaders anxious about the outcome. As delegates arrive in Paris, Melbourne will kick off a weekend of global climate action with a People’s Climate March. Meet at the State Library, Swanston Street. Click here for more information.

Thursday 3 December and Friday 4 December, Registration at 8.45 am, program 9.30 am to 5.30 pm: Ethical Enterprise Conference 2015. The Ethical Enterprise Conference is a positive educational and networking event for ethical and social enterprises, to discuss the rewards, challenges, issues and opportunities facing ethical and social enterprises, large and small. The conference will bring together a community of professionals, business owners, managers, new social entrepreneurs, students and ethical business leaders with like-minded values. Speakers include Stephanie Woollard, Ross Honeywill, and many more. Venue: The Carlton Connect Initiative University of Melbourne, LAB-14, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton, 3053. Click here for more information

Unethical mining corporations? Take a look at FreeportMcMorRan and Barrick Gold.

Australian miners overseas are no angels.

Think polluted watercourses, damaged food lands.

Think the Australia-Timor Leste martime boundary. 

Australian miner wants to mine close to a world heritage site.

No mining in Lower Zambezi National Park.

However, North America seems to provide a particularly nasty brood of miners.  Think Freeport McMoRan in West Papua/Irian Jaya.  And think this doozie of Barrick Gold's irresponsibility on the other side of the border in Porgera, Papua New Guinea.  Clearly, Barrick has ways and means of achieving its published goals of disciplined, profitable production.

Huffington Post has done us a great service.  It has compiled a list of thirteen corporations who are the most unethical in the whole wide world. And you will find a surprise - well, no surprise actually - in who came in No.1 --- and it wasn't a mining corporation!

Clearly, the governments on our planet

are doing a poor job of keeping corporations honest and ethical.

Just send these major corporations abroad

and you will lose friends and fail to influence the locals -

but then my guess is that there are handouts

to governments and other international influencers, aren't there?

Canadian mining companies the worst...

Senator Scott Ludlam questions operations of Australian mining companies overseas

Dale Hess Calendar - 13-09-02: Asylum seekers - Human rights in the Palestinian Territories - Nuclear Weapons - Politics & Governance - International Day of Peace - Satish Kumar of the Schumacher College & Resurgence - Centre for Dialogue - March Against Monsanto, Tao of Sustainability & more ...

Monday 2 September, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm: Between the Devil and the Deep-Blue Sea: Why Does a Person Become an Asylum Seeker? David Spitteler, Founder of the Asylum Seekers Centre in Dandenong will be leading a public forum examining the reasons why people throughout the world become asylum seekers. The evening will commence with a viewing of the award-winning 50minute film, Between the Devil and the Deep-Blue Sea. This will be followed by a Q&A format with David and 3 asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Iran. Venue: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church,Brighton. 

Picture at left from here. 

Sunday 8 September, 11.30 am bread and cheese, program at 12 noon: Refugees and Asylum Seekers – Your Questions. The panel will consist of a barrister Jessie Taylor, Daniel Webb from the Human Rights Law Centre, Katherine Wright from the International Detention Coalition, and we hope that Misha Coleman may accept our invitation. Bring your questions to the meeting or email them to us in advance at stcuniting@gmail.com. Venue: Koonung Heights Uniting Church, Corner of Belmore & Winfield Road, Koonung Heights. Picture above from here

Picture below from here 

Friday 13 September, 5.30 pm:  Public Lecture:  ‘Failures of US self-scrutiny for war crimes under Obama’. The Campaign for an Iraq War Inquiry and the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law present a seminar by Prof. Richard Falk.  Richard Falk is the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied Since 1967. He is also the Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law and Practice and Professor Emeritus of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. Venue: Room 102, level 1, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton. RESV: Anna Hood by email achood@unimelb.edu.au.

Monday 16 September, 1 pm: Public Lecture: ‘Obama's journey from nuclear abolition to nuclear business as usual’. The Nuclear Weapons Study Circle presents a seminar by Prof.Richard Falk. Richard Falk is the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied Since 1967. He is also the Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law and Practice and Professor Emeritus of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. Venue: Room 108, level 1, Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton. RSVP: Anna Hood by email achood@unimelb.edu.au.

Monday, 16 September, 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm: The Business of Politics: Panel Discussion. The La Trobe Business School in conjunction with the Centre for Dialogue is organising a panel discussion to probe questions of political leadership, governance and accountability, stakeholder dialogue and reputation management for parliament/ parliamentarians. The panellists comprise of: Emeritus Professor Joseph Camilleri; Dr Peter Frost (CEO Deputy Auditor General of Victoria); Kelly O’ Dwyer, MP (LP, Higgins); Bill Kelty (Director, Linfox Group); Tim Watts (ALP candidate for Gellibrand); Garry Weaven (Chair of Industry Funds Management). The moderator will be deputy Director of the Centre for Dialogue Dr Michális S. Michael with Director of Executive Education and Associate Professor of Management Suzanne Young as the MC. Venue: La Trobe University City Campus, Room 20.03, Level 20, 360 Collins St, Melbourne. Registration essential, visit:latrobe.edu...au/business-of-politics.

Tuesday 17 September, 7 pm refreshments, 7.30 pm start: International Day of Peace Community Program. To celebrate what is commonly known as 'Peace Day' around the world, the Boroondara Interfaith Network, in partnership with Burwood and District Inter-Church Council, invites you to a forum bringing together people of all faith backgrounds to discuss how we bring peace in today's society. The forum panellists are established and well known in their communities including a Director of the Islamic Museum. School Principal, Victoria police inspector a Multicultural Program coordinator at Wesley Mission and a University Law/Arts student who recently played Fraanz in ‘The Producers’. Venue: Church of Christ Hartwell, 246 Highfield Road (close to Toorak Road) Camberwell, (75Tram. Burwood station, MEL 60E5). This event is free, however bookings are essential. Phone 9278 4753 or register online: www.eventbrite/idp.com.au

Thursday 19 September, 6.30 pm: Special International Guest, Satish Kumar, in conversation at the Abbotsford Covent. A former monk and long-term peace and environment activist, Satish Kumar has been quietly setting the Global Agenda for change for over 50 years. He was just nine when he left his family home to join the wandering Jains and 18 when he decided he could achieve more back in the world. Satish is Editor of Resurgence Magazine & a Visiting Fellow at the Schumacher College, a close affiliate of the OASES Graduate School. We hope you can join us for an evening with this warm, creative and highly respected man. Gold coin entry, tickets going fast. For more info & to book your place, click here.

Thurdsay 19 September, 7 pm – 9 pm:  Centre for Dialogue Annual Lecture: Enhancing Human Behaviour: Ethical and Social Implication. Speaker: bioethicist Prof Julian Savulescu, Director of the Institute for Science and Ethics, University of Oxford. As people, most of us pursue personal growth and self-improvement; to enhance our behaviour; to achieve the best results both within our daily lives or as individuals of the sporting world. A life goal, even one potentially unachievable, is not easily abandoned. Venue: St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street,Melbourne. Registrations essential: Tel: 9479 1893; Email: dialogue@latrobe.edu.au

Saturday 12 October: March Against Monsanto. Please organise or join the next March Against Monsanto in your town. The movement for GM-free is now grass roots and global! Find the cities already participating at: http://bit.ly/ZTDsk8.

Sunday 13 October – Sunday 20 October: The Tao of Sustainability: Intensive week-long residential short course. This one-week residential course is designed to challenge popular misconceptions and develop a deeper understanding of how we can achieve truly sustainable societies. During the week expert facilitators will help you develop your knowledge, thinking & practice around all aspects of sustainability, including transport, energy, waste, food, biodiversity, community, business, economics & their inter-connections. Cost: $1,050 inc. all accommodation, food, day tours & materials. For more info & to register interest, 

click here.

Picture above from here

Saturday & Sunday 19 & 20 October, 16 & 17 November:  Creating Connections & Opening Up Creativity. A 4-day short course learning deeply about our inherent creativity. An aesthetic experience can spark an enlightening moment where things become clearer and make more sense. This course will guide participants to create your own bridges towards clarity. For more info & to register, click here. Venue: Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.