Tuesday 22 September, 6 pm – 8 pm: The Democratic Deficit: What it is and what to do about it. St Michael’s is proud to host this fascinating lecture series presented by one of Australia’s leading International Relations scholars and commentators, Professor Joseph A. Camilleri OAM.This series aims to shed light on the critical psycho-social, economic, environmental and security challenges of our times – how they affect us personally, our life prospects, our networks and communities, Australia and the world. It will open up new ways of thinking about the past and present and new possibilities for reshaping the future. Venue: St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. Tickets: $15 per lecture or $50 series pass. Bookings: www.stmichaels.org.au.
Wednesday 23 September, 6.30 pm: Is the joint Australian-US intelligence facility Pine Gap legal? Global Law Student's Association has the pleasure of inviting you to its panel event: Is the joint Australian-US intelligence facility Pine Gap legal? Active since 1970, the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap is run by the CIA, NSA and the Australian government as an Australian-US intelligence sharing facility which detects nuclear weapons and intercepts communications around the globe. However, post 9/11, Pine Gap has been criticised for being involved in the US drone program, which has killed thousands of civilians in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. Facilitated by Dr Rain Liivoja, come listen to our panel of leading experts in the area, about what is a very pressing and yet hidden issue. Professor Richard Tanter (Senior Research Associate, Nautilus Institute);Dr Scott Burchill (International Relations, Deakin University and political commentator); Professor Robert McLaughlin (College of Law, Australian National University). Refreshments will follow the panel discussion. Venue: G08, Melbourne Law School. Please RSVP for catering purposes: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/is-the-joint-australian-us-intelligence-facility-pine-gap-legal-tickets-18547331568
Thursday 24 September, 11:30 am-1 pm: Book Launch of The Intervention: an Anthology.Speakers Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC, together with two of the writers, Nicole Watson (of the Birri-Gubba People), and Arnold Zable, who will launch the book. Venue: Arena Publications, 2 Kerr Street Fitzroy. RSVP by 18 September Pia info@concernedaustralians.com.au; Mob: 0419 541 733.
Sunday 27 September, 2 pm: No War on Syria. Join us and oppose Australian bombing of Syria.#PEACE. Come WEARING RED, bring instruments and voices. Make Art Not War is an independent artist-run platform for creatives (painters, poets, writers, musicians, performers, etc.) whose work has a social, environmental or political conscience. On Monday 14/9/2015 the Australia government commenced coalition air strikes on ISIL targets in Syria at the request of the United States government. The Australian government by wording these air strikes as 'collective self-defence' appears to be claiming that the air strikes are not an act of war. We are saying that air strikes are an act of violence and opposing that. Venue: State Library, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne. #NoAustralianWarOnSyria
Monday 28 September, 8.45 am to 5.30 pm: Ecological Aspects of War: Religious Perspectives from Australia. A one-day symposium to consider intersections between war and ecology, through the lenses of religious social teachings and sacred texts, representative of the multi-cultural and inter-faith constitution of contemporary Australian society. Keynote presentation “Planet Earth as a Victim of War” by Dr Jenny Grounds. Venue: Trinity College Theological School Trinity College Royal Parade, Parkville. Cost: Full $40 Concession $30 Skype $15 (you will be supplied with a url and password via email nearer the date). Register here. Early registrations are appreciated. Registrations close: Friday 11 September 2015. For further information contact Anne Elvey:aelvey@tpg.com.au
Tuesday 29 September, 6 pm – 8 pm: State of the Nation How is Australia faring? A fresh look at its society, economy and politics. St Michael’s is proud to host this fascinating lecture series presented by one of Australia’s leading International Relations scholars and commentators, Professor Joseph A. Camilleri OAM. This series aims to shed light on the critical psycho-social, economic, environmental and security challenges of our times – how they affect us personally, our life prospects, our networks and communities, Australia and the world. It will open up new ways of thinking about the past and present and new possibilities for reshaping the future. Venue: St Michael’s Hall, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne. Tickets: $15 per lecture or $50 series pass. Bookings:www.stmichaels.org.au.
Saturday 3 October, 6 pm – 9 pm: Narbad & Barwaaqo (Peace & Prosperity). BE an agent for change: Somalia is at a crossroads. Poetry, video and inspirational stories. Darebin Arts Centre, corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston. Sponsored by Somali Youth Peace Project. More info: Yusuf 0421 785 194; Nasro 0434 017 394.
Wednesday 7 October 2015, 6 pm – 8 pm: Chega! Timor-Leste’s Gift to Humanity. This important seminar is being convened to promote discussion and use of Timor-Leste’s monumental Chega! report, now available in a new English-language version. Timor-Leste’s truth and reconciliation commission (CAVR) is regarded by experts as one of the world’s top TRCs and its Chega! report has been lauded by Jose Ramos-Horta, Kofi Annan, Archbishop Tutu, Indonesia’s human rights commission and others. Why has CAVR and its report attracted such accolades? How has it been received in Timor Leste and Indonesia? What can it offer the world? Speakers: Joel Hodge, Lecturer in theology, ACU; author of Resisting violence and victimisation: Christian faith and solidarity in East Timor; Guilherme Caiero, Director, Post-CAVR Secretariat, Dili, Timor-Leste; Michael Leach, Lecturer in politics, Swinburne University; co-founder of Timor-Leste Studies Association; Pat Walsh, Former advisor to CAVR and editor of English edition of Chega! Venue: Christ Lecture Theatre, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, Corner of Victoria & Brunswick Streets. RSVP: By Friday, 2 October 2015 to Pat Walsh: padiwalsh@gmail.com .
Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October: Voices for Justice Conference. For 10 years, Micah Challenge has been a global movement of aid and development agencies, churches, schools, groups and individual Christians who support the Millennium Development Goals to halve global poverty by 2015. Workshops include Climate Conversations; Campaign for Australian Aid; Prayer and advocacy Australia's aid program; Community organising strategies & skills; Theology of political engagement; Partner stories. Venue: Hughes Baptist Church in Hughes, Canberra. Registrations open at 10:30 am on Saturday morning.
Sunday 11 October, 2 pm: Stand up for Refugees. Speakers include: Mohammed Baqiri - Afghan refugee; Reza Yarahmahdi - Iranian Kurdish refugee; others TBA. As the 2nd Anniversary of Operation Sovereign Borders approaches all the horrors of Manus and Nauru remain. There is no permanent resettlement in sight for refugees, and systematic sexual abuse continues. Doctors have been over-ruled by government, victims have been denied appropriate medical treatment, and remain stuck where attacks took place. There is an alternative. If asylum seeker boats can be found and turned around then they can instead be given safe passage to Australia; and asylum seekers processed on the mainland in the community. Venue: State Library, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne.visit ww.rac-vic.org or call Chris 0403 013 183 for more info
Friday 16 October – Sunday 18 October: Local Lives – Global Matter: A Conference for Future’s Sake. Now is the time to announce a new paradigm and tell the story that has a future. Inspired by and following in the footsteps of a worldwide series of Economics of Happiness Conferences, this three day conference will include presentations, workshops, panel discussions, plenaries, story-telling, arts, music and site visits showcasing local initiatives. OASES is pleased to support this gathering of international and local thinkers and activists who will speak about: local economies and livelihoods; equitable, re-democratised societies; inclusive ethical culture; and the spirituality that connects us to the land and each other. Castlemaine Town Hall. For more information, to offer a presentation or generally get involved click here.
Sunday 18 October: Run 4 Refugees for the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. Run 4 Refugees is our major fundraising event for the year and we'd love for you to take part. Last year we had over 500 amazing people who ran and walked for refugees, and raised over $250,000. This year we're aiming to raise over $300,000. The main event will be taking place in Melbourne on Sunday October 18th as part of the Melbourne Marathon Festival. You don't need to be a serious runner to take part, there are distances to suit everyone- from 3km to the full marathon. To sign up for the run click here. To create your fundraising page click here.
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.
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.
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.
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