Help support this long overdue portrait of an important Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe.Aboriginal resistance to the invasion of Australia never ceased. It continues today. Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe stands as part of a long line of Indigenous resistance to invasion. His story is an important one. This short documentary will trace Robbie’s life and politics and explore what is at stake for a First Nations person upon land that was stolen and whose sovereignty never been ceded. Robbie Thorpe has organised challenges to ongoing genocide, colonization and assimilation for over 30 years, working toward indigenous economic and political independence. He has launched High Court legal actions, run a series of high-profile and controversial political and cultural interventions and remains a fierce and unrelenting advocate for his people.
Tuesday 2nd February, 5.30 pm -7.30 pm: Human Existence, Religions and the Digital World. Professor Peter Horsfield, Professor of Communication, RMIT University. Peter Horsfield's research over several decades has focused on the interaction of media and religion. Among other involvements, he was a member of the International Study Commission on Media Religion and Culture. His early study Religious Television: The American Experience was influential in changing perceptions of the extent and influence of the televangelists. His recent book From Jesus to the Internet examines Christianity as a mediated phenomenon. The first systematic survey of the interaction of media and religion in a religious tradition, it shows how Christianity's historical development was shaped by the opportunities and contests of the various media forms used in its practice. His insights into some of Christianity's currently hotly debated issues provide a much-needed historical basis for multi-disciplinary study. Gryphon Gallery, Mezzanine Level, Building 1888, near the Corner of Swanston and Grattan Street, Melbourne. (http://maps.unimelb.edu.au/parkville/building/198). Light refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the lecture. RSVP: Sue Ennis: wcrpaust@iinet.net.au
Tuesday 9 February, 11.30 am: Rally to stop onshore gas drilling and fracking. Big energy companies have sought to "open up" Victoria to onshore gas drilling and fracking--putting prime farmland and water resources at risk. Regional communities around the state have said "no" to risky unconventional gas extraction. Parliament of Victoria, Spring Street, Melbourne. Organised by Friends of the Earth, Gasfield Free Vic, Yes 2 Renewables.
Thursday 18 February, 6.30 pm – 8 pm: Market Forces Campaign Launch. Market Forces believes that the banks, superannuation funds and governments that have custody of our money should use it to protect not damage our environment. We're planning to make this year massive. Massive campaigns, resulting in massive change. We have climate change commitments from banks that need to be turned into concrete action that moves finance out of fossil fuels. We want to turn divestment from coal, oil and gas from a steady stream to an unstoppable torrent. And of course, we have new dirty coal proposals here in Australia and overseas that need to be stopped in their tracks. Venue: Treasury Room, Imperial Hotel, 2 Bourke St, Melbourne (corner Spring Street). Food provided, drinks at bar prices. Free entry but bookings are essential as places are limited. RSVP here. Market Forces is proud to be an affiliate project of Friends of the Earth Australia and a member of the BankTrack international network, connecting us with passionate campaigners, environmental issue experts and advocates of environmentally sustainable behaviour from the finance sector.
Monday 25 April – Friday 29 April:Living the Peace Testimony with Greg Rolles. Explore the connections between war, militarism, climate change, colonisation of Indigenous peoples, racism – and your own urges to help bring peace. Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore, NSW. Telephone:02 6238 0588
Friday 10 June – Monday 13 June: Indigenous Spirituality and Culture with Karen Kime. Journey into Aboriginal ways of teaching country, kinship and cross-cultural issues in work and community. The workshop will also include examples of other indigenous people. Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore, NSW. Telephone:02 6238 0588
Ahmed painting a colourful and cheerful message on a container of donations to be sent to Somalia.
After witnessing the conditions in poor communities in Australia and India, Pauline Crosbie used her background in arts and education tofoundthe Bumblebee Creative Social Enterprise (Bumblebee Global Renewal Projects Cooperation Circle.) Bumblebee Foundation’s mission is to “connect people in a life-giving and fun process, filled with color and joy, that builds community and sustains it while creating a path forward to help others.”
After the devastating earthquakes in Nepal, Bumblebee reached out to other Cooperation Circles and put together a plan to help the survivors rebuild their lives. Bumblebee members are active in creating and promoting aid projects around the world, in countries including Somalia, Kenya, Liberia, Cambodia, and Chile. Their work includes feeding impoverished children and families, rebuilding war-torn zones, igniting people’s creativity, and leading sustainable enterprises.
In this photo,Ahmed Ahmed paints a colourful and cheerful message on a container of donations to be sent to Somalia.
If you have been concerned about what you hear of the goings-on in Northern Iraq with regard to Christians and other minorities, here is your opportunity to do something constructive ....
Adding to the great sufferings of peoples in the Middle East-North Africa Region are the currently unfolding events in Iraq.
H.E. Sheikh Majid Hafeed, an Iraqi Kurdish Muslim and Honorary President of Religions for Peace International, has contacted our International Secretariat strongly calling for intervention and support to protect the Yazidis in the town of Sinjar, northern Iraq.
They are currently undergoing an attack by the ISIS / ISIL terrorist group. Sheikh Majid reports to us that thousands have been massacred, hundreds of thousands have fled and their homes and shops have been looted and burned. You will find Sheikh Majid's appeal (in Arabic) here.
His Holiness Louis Raphael Sako, the Christian Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon and a Co-President of Religions for Peace International, has also contacted us with an urgent appeal for the 100,000 Christians who have fled their homes toward the Kurdish cities of Erbil, Duhok and Soulaymiya. You will find Patriarch Sako's appeal here.
In response, Religions for Peace is transmitting these appeals to the President of the United Nations Security Council, urging that the Security Council take appropriate measures to protect these innocent people.
In addition, allow me also to request that all members of Religions for Peace around the world hold these suffering peoples in their prayers. Let each of us pray in accord with her or his own tradition in solidarity with all across this region who are struggling to bear unbearable suffering.
Yours in solidarity for Peace,
Dr. William Vendley
Secretary General
Religions for Peace
RELIGIONS FOR PEACE--the world's largest and most representative multi-religious coalition-advances common action among the world's religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; five regional inter-religious bodies and ninety national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.
777 United Nations Plaza I New York, NY 10017 USA I Tel: 212 687-2163 I Fax: 212 983-0098
www.rfp.org
The Network's Note:The area of the warfare mentioned above is in one of the oldest parts of human history in the world. War has diminished and eradicated much of this evidence. Readers will remember the looting of the National Museum of Iraq in 2003. Readers will also recalled the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyah in 2001. The heritage of these ancient civilisations are not only informative and precious to the peoples in whose regions they are situated. They are precious to all of us. The references used in the production of these antiquities are references to all of humanity. Human life to-day is of vital importance to all of us. So is our shared and ancient histories.
At a full Board meeting yesterday in Hobart, the Australian Council of Social Service expressed its grave concerns about the decision by the Australian Government to return to offshore processing for people arriving by sea to seek asylum in Australia
National ACOSS Board condemns return to offshore processing with risk of indefinite detention
Friday August 17, 2012
At a full Board meeting yesterday in Hobart, the Australian Council of Social Service expressed its grave concerns about the decision by the Australian Government to return to offshore processing for people arriving by sea to seek asylum in Australia.
The ACOSS board joins a growing number of Australian community and not-for-profit organisations and individuals across the country in expressing opposition to a significant number of the Expert Panel recommendations as they are now being implemented. We unanimously oppose the passage of any legislation which removes adequate legislative protections for people seeking asylum in Australia, and enables the Australian Government to return to offshore processing
Representing Australia's community and social services sector, the Board opposed the enactment of legislation or policy which will:
Repeal the few human rights protections included in the offshore processing legislation passed in 2001.
See any country designated for offshore processing, regardless of whether it is a party to the Refugee Convention.
Punish asylum seekers who arrive by boat in breach of the Refugee Convention.
Implement a return to assessing asylum applications in Nauru and Manus Island, ignoring past lessons regarding the mental health impacts of holding people indefinitely with limited freedom of movement.
Facilitate the removal of child asylum seekers from Australia.
Facilitate the transfer of unaccompanied minors who will have no guardian to act in their best interests, in breach of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Prevent IMAs (whatever their age) from proposing family members for the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP), creating greater incentive for families who want to stay together to travel by boat to Australia.
Leave open the possibility that boats may be turned back in the future, contravening the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
The Board welcomed the recommendations which will increase Australia's annual humanitarian intake and additional options for family reunion for refugee and humanitarian entrants, and the greater focus on developing refugee protection options in South East Asia. These positive recommendations in the Expert Panel report must be legislated to ensure they are enshrined in law.
The Board affirmed its previous rejection of offshore processing, represented in a broad community sector statement signed by over 300 organisations in September 2011, opposing offshore processing and calling for community placement of people waiting decisions about their asylum applications.
Media Contact – 0419 626 155
For interviews with ACOSS President Simon Schrapel or CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie contact ACOSS Media, 0419 626 15
In a talk during the Caux Forum for Human Security, Fijian development consultant Mosese Waqa, Initiatives of Change Human Security Coordinator in Australia, shared the following principles for effective work to advance human security.
Mosese at the 2012 Caux Forum for Human Security
1. Know yourself.Our identity frames our engagement with the world. With the art of knowing oneself comes the art of listening.
2. Convince yourself that your cause/passion is really necessary. Answer key questions first. Is the cause legitimate? Do we really need to pursue it? If you can’t convince yourself, forget about convincing others.
3. Research an issue before diving into a cause.Dig deep. Get to the facts. What’s happening in your community? With that information, you can justify the cause.
4. If you don’t like hard work, don’t get involved. There is no short cut to achieving one’s vision. It’s mostly perspiration aided by inspiration.
5. Maintain a sense of perspective. Overstating the cause can be damaging. Absence of perspective can lead to narrow-mindedness. A sense of priorities is vital.
6. Reflect your broader ideals in all you do – keep your vision alive. Create within you a space for an evolving reality by engaging in reflection on what you’re doing.
7. Be positive… we are not against, but for a cause.Transformational change is about sustained positive energies that come together, with the outcome bigger than the sum of the parts.
8. Keep your firepower for the real enemy – we do not battle against flesh and blood...Everyone is looking for their own angles, making sense of things. Identify key relationships and key people, beginning with those closest to you.
9. Involve those affected by the problem. When advocating on behalf of others, they know best about the problem. They live with it and can give the cause a sense of urgency and legitimacy.
10. Have faith, hope and love… never let anyone tell you that you don’t matter. We each have our own place to find in life – that gives us a sense of who we are and faith in where we are going.
The dismaying article below is from Independent Australia and posted at the request of its Contributing Editor-at-Large, Tess Lawrence.
~~~~~~~~~~
Terrifying violence against Shia Muslims and Christians has escalated rapidly since the departure of US troops from Iraq, says the ‘Bishop of Baghdad’, Rev’d Canon Dr Andrew White.
‘We Have Been Left and We Have Nothing!’
The exclamations of the Christians here in Iraq.
None of us thought there would be any change here after the US troops left. They had not been seen on the streets for two years. We were totally wrong; from the day that the US military left, we were in total disarray. Violence increased as religious sectarianism increased again in force. We could not even enter the Green Zone, as any badges issued by the US were no longer valid — new badges were simply not being issued. Total mayhem politically began with the prime minister issuing a warrant for the arrest of the Vice President Tariq Al Hashami. He was accused of terrorism and, sadly, there was a lot of evidence to suggest this was true.
With this action, great significance was placed on the fact that the Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki was Shia and the Vice President was the most senior Sunni political figure in the country. Terrible sectarian violence targeting the Shia began.
There were also coordinated attacks on the institutions of the state, including on the Foreign Ministry, which is very close to St George’s church. With the arrest warrant for the Sunni Vice President being issued by the Shia Prime Minister, the fragile coalition government is fracturing down sectarian lines and turning violently on itself.
What I most feared would happen is happening. I said all along that it wouldn’t make any difference to us if the Americans leave. I was really wrong.
It is becoming really difficult in Iraq right now. Before, we knew that the US were just around the corner, so we could get them if we needed them, but now they are not there. But we won’t give up, we won’t stop our work and, by God’s grace, we will keep going.
Events in Iraq have escalated in recent days, as the departure of the US troops appears to have sparked a series of attacks and disputes within the divided country. Just one week ago, Barack Obama declared:
“We are leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq, with a representative government elected by its people”.
The reality is swiftly proving to contradict the President’s words.
There have been attempts to ransack both al Hashami’s office and that of al Maliki in recent days. There has even been a car bomb in the supposedly secure Green Zone. The attacks form part of wider and increasing sectarian violence in Iraqi society.
Even as the US troops left Iraq, the fear of the Christians and other minorities has increased.
They say:
“At least before, under the old regime, we were protected — now we have nothing. Those who have set us free from an evil dictator have now left us and we have nothing.”
What is this “nothing”? It is no security, as before the Christians, as a minority, were protected. The evil regime of Saddam was led by man who was not from the Shia majority but a Sunni. When the foreign troops were here, even though we often did not see them, they were not far away and if and when we needed them they were there.
There are times when we ourselves face great danger. Our people have been slaughtered, massacred and murdered, but now we have nobody to turn to. There has been much talk about the security needs of our people. The Iraqi Government has tried to do what it can, but we do not live in a ghetto. The Christians are based all over Iraq, but especially in Baghdad and Nineveh/Mosul. 2,700 years after Jonah, Nineveh is still the place where all Christians come from. So, the Christians and all minorities are less safe than they have ever been.
The problem is far more than security though. Employment is far more limited, not least of all for women. The main industry is now security — and for the educated women Christians, things are more difficult than ever in an increasingly orthodox Islamic state. A state where the rights of women have sadly diminished.
No employment means no money and that means no ability to buy food, pay rent for housing or even posses proper health care. The health care system here in Iraq has seriously collapsed. The hospitals are falling to pieces and many of its leading doctors have been killed, kidnapped or have fled from Iraq.
I may be the leader of a church, but after services each week I also have to give all my 4,000 plus people food for the week. We have had to establish a large clinic with doctors, dentists, a laboratory and specialist units, and also a pharmacy. All treatment is totally free and it is not just restricted to Christians either, but is totally open to all — totally free of charge. In addition to these services, we also have also built a school to provide excellent education to our many children. It is fortunate that we can provide this service for our people, but we did not envisage that, this long after 2003, this would still be necessary. Iraq today is still an insecure place where most of the people have nothing.
Things are difficult for all Iraqis, but for us as minorities it is particularly so. The violence here is known about, terrible, and much of it has come from outside — but now we have another huge problem. It is such a big issue that three years ago we became the top nation in the world in this crime —corruption. Corruption that is so great, we no longer have any idea whom we can trust.
When the Coalition Provisional Authority took control of the nation in 2003, I remember telling one of the diplomatic leaders that we needed to deal with the issue of religion in order to prevent religious sectarian violence. I was told that this was not really an issue in Iraq. First, I was told that water and electricity needed to be dealt with. It was only a few weeks later that this diplomat came to me and said that he could not even deal with water and electricity because religion kept getting in the way.
The "Bishop of Baghdad", Rev'd Canon Dr Andrew White
It was the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, who in the last world war said:
“When religion goes wrong it goes very wrong”.
Sadly, that is what has happened here. Religion here now is not seen as a tranquil means of relating to the Almighty, but a means of fighting for the rights of their own. A fight that sadly often involves violence. The fight that recently arose from Sunni to Shia was just a further symptom of this sectarian violence. If religion is the cause of the violence it must also be the cure. That is the work of the High Council of Religious Leaders in Iraq that we established in 2004.
Many were killed and injured. We, as religious leaders, began an urgent process to try to reduce the sectarian violence. We met in Najaf — the holiest City in the world to the Shia. For the first time ever, we took some of the Sunni religious leaders to Najaf, where we heard first-hand from the Shia religious leaders of their immense fear of the renewed sectarian violence. A few days later, we met with a large number of Sunni leaders in Baghdad. Together, we produced an Islamic Fatwa (injunction) against the Sunni attacking and killing the Shia. Much of diplomatic world still fails to see that this problem or “Religion gone very Wrong” has to be dealt with by religion itself. That is why we are here and what we try and do.
Sadly this radical sectarianism is no longer just restricted to Iraq the so called Arab Spring has greatly increased this risk of this sectarianism in the whole of the region. Will there now be a lot more minorities in the region saying, “We have nothing”?
(The Rev’d Canon Dr Andrew White is Director of the High Council of Religious Leaders in Iraq & Vicar of St Georges Church, Baghdad, Iraq.)
THE FATWA
Mentioned in the piece above is a Fatwa. In a separate email to IA contributing editor-at-large Tess Lawrence in late January, the Reverend Dr discussed the Fatwa – which are often seen as having negative connotations in the West – and its peaceful, healing, intent.
Here, IA includes the full text of the Fatwa, along with Canon White’s preceding remarks to Tess Lawrence.
The Rev’d Canon Dr Andrew White:
“Today I met with some of the most senior clerics in Iraq under the auspices of the Society of Iraqi Islamic Scientists (the senior Sunni Clerics Society). Some of them also came to Najaf with us on Friday. The main issue on the agenda was finding ways to stop the sectarian violence against the Shia. They also delivered a Fatwa (Islamic) injunction against all sectarian violence and publicly declared that most sectarian violence was coming from the Sunni community. Tomorrow the Fatwa will be discussed with the Iraqi Vice President and the British Ambassador.”
THE IRAQI SOCIETY OF ISLAMIC SCIENTISTS FATWA
In the name of God the Merciful:
Under the conditions experienced by Iraqis and many Middle Eastern people at the present time and in the light of the increase in the level of Iraqi sectarian violence and the volatile situation, we believe that the deteriorating political condition calls upon us as Sunni religious scholars to together as a group to issue a Fatwa.
We wish to declare the sanctity of all Iraqi blood whether Shia, Sunni or Christian. We call for a mechanism to educate the Iraqi Society in order to renounce all sectarian violence and instead create an environment of cooperation with civil society organizations and institutions of civil jurisdiction so not to allow our people in Iraq to divide into sectarian conflicts. We must work towards national unity amongst all Muslims (Sunni and Shia) and Christians; we all have the duty and right to live together in unity in our country Iraq.
Dr Sheikh Khaled Abdul-Wahab Mullah, Leader, Sunni Cleric Baghdad + Basrah Sheikh Saadi Mehdi Qutaiba Alindaoui Sunni Leader Al Anbar Sheikh Maher Al Jubori Sunni Cleric Fullujah Dr Sheikh Kubaisi Jalal Sunni Cleric Rammadi Sheikh Marwan Al Araji Sunni Cleric Baghdad Sheikh Hasham Al Dulami Sunni Cleric Fullujah
Tuesday 2nd February, 5.30 pm -7.30 pm: Human Existence, Religions and the Digital World. Professor Peter Horsfield, Professor of Communication, RMIT University. Peter Horsfield's research over several decades has focused on the interaction of media and religion. Among other involvements, he was a member of the International Study Commission on Media Religion and Culture. His early study Religious Television: The American Experience was influential in changing perceptions of the extent and influence of the televangelists. His recent book From Jesus to the Internet examines Christianity as a mediated phenomenon. The first systematic survey of the interaction of media and religion in a religious tradition, it shows how Christianity's historical development was shaped by the opportunities and contests of the various media forms used in its practice. His insights into some of Christianity's currently hotly debated issues provide a much-needed historical basis for multi-disciplinary study. Gryphon Gallery, Mezzanine Level, Building 1888, near the Corner of Swanston and Grattan Street, Melbourne. (http://maps.unimelb.edu.au/parkville/building/198). Light refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the lecture. RSVP: Sue Ennis: wcrpaust@iinet.net.au
Thursday 18 February, 6.30 pm – 8 pm: Market Forces Campaign Launch. Market Forces believes that the banks, superannuation funds and governments that have custody of our money should use it to protect not damage our environment. We're planning to make this year massive. Massive campaigns, resulting in massive change. We have climate change commitments from banks that need to be turned into concrete action that moves finance out of fossil fuels. We want to turn divestment from coal, oil and gas from a steady stream to an unstoppable torrent. And of course, we have new dirty coal proposals here in Australia and overseas that need to be stopped in their tracks. Venue: Treasury Room, Imperial Hotel, 2 Bourke St, Melbourne (corner Spring Street). Food provided, drinks at bar prices. Free entry but bookings are essential as places are limited. RSVP here. Market Forces is proud to be an affiliate project of Friends of the Earth Australia and a member of the BankTrack international network, connecting us with passionate campaigners, environmental issue experts and advocates of environmentally sustainable behaviour from the finance sector. 
