ERC InTouch 2010-03-04
| ERC InTouch | Edmund Rice Centre's eNewsletter | Friday, 16th April 2010 |
ERC & Romero Network: support to those affected by earthquakes in Latin America
"As each new bit of news comes in, the pain just gets greater" writes Jose Frias and Fr Hernan Lemryse of the Oscar Romero Committee in Chile in a letter to the members of the Oscar Romero Solidarity Network. "Some estimates are that the number of victims here may reach 4,000." they continued. Edmund Rice Centre is the Australian counterpart of the Romero Network. Their letter continued: "We're thankful for the expressions of support offered by network members - we were especially moved to receive messages from the Dominican Republic sent by homeless survivors of Haiti's recent earthquake."
Even in the light of the earthquake in Chile, these network partners in Chile affirm the call for the world to keep the needs of earthquake ravaged Haiti and those affected by violence in Honduras as clear and on-going priorities of work for social justice and solidarity. "Those who are working for the situation in Haiti, Honduras and other urgencies - please keep at that. We understand the infinite level of difference in the problems confronted." write Jose and Hernan. Chile has the highest standard of living in Latin America whereas Haiti has the lowest. Honduras has been affected by a political storm in the shape of the coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in June 2009, accompanied by wide-spread and violent political oppression.
In Haiti the need for support in healing and reconstruction are of a long-term nature and sit upon the extreme poverty and foreign-provoked political dysfunction that the country already experienced prior to the earthquake. Staff of ERC's International Programs visited the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in April last year as part of our on-going work in building links through the Oscar Romero International Solidarity Network ("SICSAL").
 |
Better times in Port-au-Prince - April 2009: Archbishop Miot (centre) who died in Haiti's 12th January earthquake; with the Romero Network's Fr Julín Acosta (left) and ERC's Sean Cleary & Marisol Pacheco. The city's Cathedral, now in ruins, is visible behind Marisol.
|
ERC Publications: Just Comment Vol 13 No 1 -- War by Remote Control
We may be wired for war but are we wired for weighing the consequences? What happens when science fictions becomes battlefield reality?
I am deeply disturbed by the long-distance murder of poor and defenceless people that passes for legitimate ‘war’ in our time. It is incredibly cowardly, and I marvel that more people don’t jump up and down in the streets, pointing this out. How much courage does it take to point and shoot a missile at a town you’ve never seen, filled with children whose voices you’ve never heard.
Alice Walker
There are philosophical and ethical questions when a soldier thousands of kilometres away can, as if playing a video game, sit in a control room before a computer and obliterate an Afghan or Pakistani village or Taliban hideout by remote control then sign off, go home for dinner with his family and play with his/her children. It is war by remote control. It is also ‘execution without trial’. The use of drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) will not make the world safe and will lead us to lose trace of the morals of armed conflict?.
Read more
ERC Indigenous Programs: 2010 program now out!
Join the Edmund Rice Centre for a unique cross cultural learning experience to develop a first-hand understanding of Indigenous culture and issues in rural New South Wales.
"We invite you to be challenged and to challenge those you meet along the way," said Cassandra Gibbs, coordinator of ERC Indigenous Programs. "Join us on a journey that will impact on your life for a long time to come!"
2010 Program:
1. “Brothers and Others” (for all members of Edmund Rice Networks): dates TBA
2. Let’s Talk Rural: 9th-16th April (For all teachers and educators)
3. Let’s Talk: St Vincent de Paul (For young people in the SVDP network)
4. Let’s Talk Local: 4th-11th July (For year 11 students)
5. Outback: 26th September-2nd October (For year 11 students from Good Samaritan Colleges)
6. Let’s Talk: dates TBA (EREA – For all teaching and Executive Staff of Edmund Rice Education Australia)
For more information please contact Cassandra at the Edmund Rice Centre on (02) 8762 4200.
ERC & Pacific Calling Partnership: Invitation to Pacific Islanders to build climate-change awareness
An invitation to Pacific Islanders living in Australia to become more involved in building awareness of the real effects of climate-change?
My name is Maria Tiimon and I work with the Pacific Calling Partnership as Pacific Outreach Officer. I am hoping to work more with all Pacific Islanders living in Australia to raise community awareness of how climate change is affecting our low lying islands throughout the Pacific.
I am very interested to work with young people, especially Pacific Islanders, who are willing to go out there and support the work we are doing. The Partnership provides leadership training for those who participate. Please let me know if you are interested or even if you know someone else who might be interested.
Contact Maria at Edmund Rice Centre on (02) 8762 4200 or by email on mariat [at] erc.org.au
ERC International Programs: Human Rights Immersions in 2010
Preparations are well under way for ERC's Human Rights Immersions Program for 2010. A Human Rights Leaders group will travel to El Salvador in March where their visit is timed to coincide with the country's celebration of the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero on the 30th anniversary of his murder. Participants will attend the assembly of the International Oscar Romero Solidarity Network (often referred to by its acronym in Spanish "SICSAL").
Expressions of interest have opened for three further human rights immersions this year in Southern-Asia and Latin America:-
- The mid-year break in July will see a group visiting El Salvador and Guatemala focusing on post-conflict reconciliation and struggles for human rights and indigenous equity;
- 23rd Nov to 13Dec will finally see the realisation of our much dreamed of "Women of Courage, Women of Hope" group going to Dominican Republic, Haiti and El Salvador. This group is timed as part of the international campaign 16 Days to Overcome Violence Against Women and will coincide with major celebrations of the lives of significant women murdered for their commitment to human rights: the 50th anniversary of the murder of the three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic and the 30th anniversary of the murder of four North American mission women in El Salvador.
Read more
ERC Publications: Just Comment Vol 12 No 5: Debunking Asylum Myths in 2010
At the height of political dog-whistling in 2002 the Edmund Rice Centre led an important effort to bring clarity to the national debate through the publication of the accessible fact-sheet: Debunking the Myths on Asylum Seekers
It now appears to be necessary to revisit the topic to once again bring a factual spotlight to the debate for this coming election year!
Myth 1 : Australia is being inundated by people in boats.
Fact: This is false. 1 800 boat people have sought asylum in Australia in 2009. This number is tiny when compared to other countries. Even given an increase in 2009, the annual average number of boat arrivals to Australia is tiny in comparison to the 50,000 people that over-stay their visas each year, or when taking into account that on average 95% of asylum seekers actually arrive in Australia by plane.
Read more
ERC Fair Trade Program: Thailand Fair Trade Tour - Sep-Oct 2010
The Edmund Rice Centre's Fair Trade Program, in conjunction with Well Connected Tours, will be running a selection of tours through Thailand in September, working alongside Thaicraft, an organisation which has over 20 years experience in working with communities of craft producers, including minority ethnic groups, promoting social and economic development in all parts of Thailand.
"Groups will visit much of Thailand's beautiful countryside as well as being immersed in Thailand's rich cultural traditions." affirmed Danny Long, coordinator of ERC's Fair Trade Program.
Both tours leave on September 26th, with Tour A returning on October 3rd and Tour B returning on October 9th. Prices are $2670 and $4204 respectively, plus airline taxes.
Please contact Danny Long at Edmund Rice Centre for more information: (02)8762 4200 or by email dannyl [at] erc.org.au
ERC Eco-Justice Program: The Role of Water Vapour in Climate Change
Afternoon Tea for the Future: Tuesday, 9th March 2010
Leonie Cornell coordinates the on-going Afternoon Tea for the Future monthly discussion series at ERC. The series is focussed on environmental issues. "This month we're examing the effects of water vapour on climate-change," said Leonie. "Come along to hear how research, recently published by NASA, demonstrates that the greenhouse gases emitted by human activity are contributing to 'water vapour feedback'".
WHEN: Tuesday 9th March 2pm
WHERE: Edmund Rice Centre, 15 Henley Rd Homebush West, (near Flemington station).
Donation $5 or $2 depending on ability to pay.
For further information contact Leonie or Jill Finnane on (02) 8762 4200 or email leoniec [at] erc.org.au
ERC Brisbane Annexe: Movie fund-raiser in Brisbane for Haiti earthquake survivors -- ticket-sellers needed!
Through ERC's participation in the ecumenical Oscar Romero International Solidarity Network ("SICSAL") we have received requests from Fr Julín Acosta for the relief work being carried out by Casa del Caribe from Barahona, Dominican Republic to assist survivors of Haiti's 12th Jan earthquake.
Fr Julín is a highly respected human rights advocate - very well known throughout Dominican Republic and in Haiti for his human rights and pastoral work. As well as his parish duties he is director of pastoral care to Haitian migrants in the Barahona Diocese located on the border with Haiti. It was through Fr Julín that Haiti's Archbishop Miot, who died in the earthquake, and his predecessor Archbishop Ligondé, came to also participate in the Oscar Romero Network.
In Queensland the Edmund Rice Centre's Brisbane Annexe is working with local groups in promoting sale of movie tickets $12 for the popular movies Invictus or Precious screening at Graceville's Regal Twin cinema in Brisbane's inner-west.
Anyone able to assist with selling tickets for this or future Brisbane events please contact Sean Cleary at ERC's Brisbane Annexe (07) 3103 7376. Many thanks to the Regal Twin for supporting this effort. We hope to have more movie fund-raisers in the future.
ERC needs your support
To help ERC continue projects, research and advocacy such as this, please go to
www.erc.org.au/donate
Other networks: human rights, social equity and eco-justice
NSW -- 26TH MAR: ILLAWARRA FORUM LAUNCH
Practising social justice, measuring what matters: Locally-based community organisations and social inclusion. Social justice is about practising respect, overcoming barriers and sharing material resources. It can happen at every encounter and it is made and remade in every encounter. … For people to experience social justice they need to feel valued and included. Social justice helps to restore dignity into people’s lives. … Social justice is actually a process, it’s relational. WHEN: Friday 26 March 2010. 9- 3.30. WHERE: Heininger Hall, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, 93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto (Heininger Street car park, enter from Heininger Street) CONTACT: register at
www.illawarraforum.org.au/psj.html by Friday March 19th.
GLOBAL & NSW -- 27TH MARCH: EARTH HOUR VIGIL
As climate change escalates and action to address it lags far behind, new hope is needed to lift our spirits. So as the lights go out across Sydney this Earth Hour, let’s turn on the light of hope within us. Join in this candle-lit multi-faith vigil of song, prayer, dance, reflection and meditation at Observatory Hill, and go home refreshed and renewed. People of all faiths and none are welcome. WHEN: 7:30-9:30pm WHERE: Observatory Hill, Corner of Fort St and Watson Rd, The Rocks, Sydney
NSW -- 10TH APRIL: IF YOU WANT TO CULTIVATE PEACE, PROTECT CREATION
Explore the Spirituality, Theology and Justice of this challenge with Rev Dr Sean McDonagh, a Columban missionary priest who worked in the rainforests of southern Philippines. He has been teaching, writing and campaigning on ecology for 35 years..Environmental issues have become divisive in Australian politics and economics, and have flowed over into religious circles. Protecting creation is a foundational value for the decisions we must face. WHEN: 5-7pm; WHERE: Thomas Aquinas Centre, Santa Sabina College, 90 The Boulevarde Strathfield.COST: $10 donation suggested.
NSW -- 10TH APRIL: CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN CULTURES
Auburn will come alive on Saturday, 10 April with colourful stalls, workshops, community information, music and performances to celebrate African Cultures. Join more than 3,000 people and enjoy dance, music and fashion shows by some of Australia’s hottest African acts. Enjoy African cuisine. If you are interested in having a stall, performing, volunteering or becoming our sponsor please call Fatma Isir on 0407 904 526 or email on
africultures@hotmail.com WHEN: 11-4PM WHERE: Auburn Park
WEB: CLIMATE SCOREBOARD
Climate Interactive is launching a new online tool that gives YOU and others with the desire for a strong global climate treaty a way to contribute to success in Copenhagen – the Climate Scoreboard. The Scoreboard is
http://climatescoreboard.org.
WEB: KIRIBATI GOVERNMENT WEBSITE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Please go to the newly set up Kiribati Government web site:
http://climate.gov.ki Besides becoming better informed about what is happening in Kiribati and the stand the Kiribati government is taking on various issues you will help to move the website higher up on the Google list so that more people are likely to find it when they Google.
VANUATU: AYAD PLACEMENT IN VANUATU: CLIMATE CHANGE OFFICER
The EDO is seeking applications from young Australians (aged 18-30) interested in a Climate Change Officer placement with Live & Learn Environmental Education in Vanuatu, through the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) program. Please circulate this information to your networks.
APPLICATION:
http://www.ayad.com.au/forms-a-downloads/volunteers WEB: ACCC INQUIRY INTO TELSTRA's PRICE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Australia Institute (TAI) has made a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into Telstra's price control arrangements. TAI's submission counters Telstra’s argument that restrictions on the price it can charge customers for fixed-line calls should be removed because of competition from mobile phones and voice calls over the internet. TAI has argued that removing the price restrictions will harm lower-income households, who spend a greater proportion of their income on telecommunications. SUBMISSION: The Australia Institute’s submission to the ACCC inquiry can be found at
https://www.tai.org.au/?q=node/62 GLOBAL: SUPPORT THE IRANIAN PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC UPRISING!
The struggle for democracy in Iran continues. A worldwide day of rallies was held in late February to end the brutal siege of 3,450 PMOI members at Ashraf City, Iraq.If you didn’t make it to a rally, please take action - express your concern by contacting: Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations, email:
ecu@un.org ; Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister, Australia,
http://www.pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/contact_your_pm_form ; Barack Obama, President, United States
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
