Media Releases 2004 (32)
Whispers of Peace - New CD of Songs for Peace and Reconciliation
Written byA wonderful new resource for worship and peacemaking is being made available by the National Council of Churches in Australia. Entitled ‘Whispers of Peace’, it is a compilation of songs from a wide variety of Christians across the country, reflecting the diversity and vitality of Christian life in Australia and the shared Christian commitment to peace and reconciliation in the churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence. Containing the full sheet music, words and OHP slides for each of the 25 songs, and with contributions ranging from Hillsong to traditional hymn-style, at just $34.95 this enhanced double CD offers great value for churches and individuals. Leading Christian musicians such as Kevin Bates, Monica Brown, John Coleman and Robin Mann have contributed songs from their own repertoire, with nine songs recorded from their composers resources and the remaining sixteen professionally recorded and mixed in South Australia, under the direction of Robin Mann, and with production of the CD by Monique Lisbon, herself a lively contributor, through her company mono unlimited in Victoria .
‘Opening the heart to compassion is a central key to peacemaking and reconciliation’ says Jon Inkpin, national coordinator for this DOV (Decade to Overcome Violence) in Australia project, ‘and music is vital to this task, celebrating the gift and goal of peace in our lives and world. These songs reflect something of the chief concerns of peacemaking in our nation today: from the need to address personal and community violence, to issues of Indigenous Reconciliation, care for refugees, international conflict and environmental responsibility. In each of these the life of prayer and worship is crucial, centring us in the source of all peace and compassion and empowering us to love and action. No mere whispers in the storm, as we listen, sing and employ these voices of hope, so may the Prince of Peace bless us, and heal the divisions of our times.’
Whispers of Peace will be officially launched by DOV patron Prof.Lowijta O’Donoghue at the NCCA National Forum in Adelaide on 11 July, after which it is hoped that the songs will be widely used by congregations, groups and individuals for many years to come. Copies of the CD are available from the NCCA (02 9299 2215) and state ecumenical bodies amongst other outlets.
For further information:
Contact the Revd Dr Jon Inkpin at the NCCA Tel: (02) 9299 2215 or 0410 583013
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
and/or Vikki Waller at the South Australian Council of Churches
Tel: (08) 8221 6633 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Decade to Overcome Violence webpages: http://www.ncca.org.au/dov
Mono unlimited website: http://www.monounlimited.com
Australia's Jews, Muslims and Christians pray together for Iraq's future
Written byRepresentatives of Australia's peak Christian, Islamic and Jewish bodies prayed together for the future of Iraq, the safety of Australian personnel serving in that country and for the families of civilians and soldiers who have lost their lives in that country.
Meeting at Temple Emanuel Synagogue in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, delegations from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) and the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), reflected on the great need for peace and international reconciliation at this momentous time.
Amjad Mehboob, the CEO of AFIC, stated the prayers were to "express hope that the long-suffering Iraqi people will find peace and security in their homeland".
NCCA General Secretary Rev John Henderson said, "this is a pivotal moment for the future of our global society and a litmus test for hope".
President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Jeremy Jones, affirmed that "Australians enjoy democracy, peace and wonderful inter-faith and inter-communal relations and our joint prayer is that the blessings we enjoy can be shared by the Iraqis and all people".
The occasion was a meeting of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews, which also included an intensive exchange of understandings of "Prophets and Prophecy" and discussed future prospects for interfaith co-operation in Australia.
* * * * * *
Further Information:
Jeremy Jones,
President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry 0411536436
John Henderson,
General Secretary National Council of Churches 0419224935
Amjad Mehboob,
CEO, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils 0408 234434
The Rev Professor James Haire, President of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), today expressed his gratitude for the work of Archbishop Ian George of Adelaide during his time as an Anglican appointee with the Council. The Archbishop was involved with the Council for many years, especially through his support for the cause of refugees and displaced persons. He retired from active involvement in 2004.
“Dr George is an outstanding Church leader who served with distinction for many years. His tireless and energetic work among Australian Churches, particularly as the Chairman of Christian World Service, is greatly appreciated,” Professor Haire said.
Following today’s release of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s damning finding of Federal Government responsibility for cases of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detained asylum seeker children, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has backed the Commission’s one-month deadline for the release of all children and their families.
Based on evidence from the Immigration Department's own court-subpoenaed documents, the Commission’s report of the Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention details gross government failures to protect children during violent protests when the riot squad, tear gas, water canons and severe lock-down procedures were deployed. It exposes disturbing cases of repeat child-suicide and self-mutilation attempts, and children witnessing their parents jumping from roof tops onto razor wire and slashing and hanging themselves.
Responsibility for severe child-detainee mental health breakdown is placed squarely on the Federal Government, which failed to heed the consistent advice of medical and psychiatric professionals to use its powers to either release or protect children.
Following the Commission’s findings, churches have backed the Commission’s call to abolish mandatory detention laws and are counting-down to the June 10th deadline for the release of all children and their family members.
"Australia is committed to acting in the best interests of every child. Yet every day that passes is another day in which parents are unable to shield their children from the violence around them, from the heated protests and suicide attempts, from the despair of those detained, from the dehumanising effect of being treated as an illegal or a number" said John Henderson, General Secretary of the NCCA.
"With every day, the will and resilience of parents to protect and raise their children is broken down. They cannot tell their child when they will be released or deny they'll be deported.
"At the end of each day, we must ask ourselves whether the pain and suffering inflicted upon mothers, fathers and their children is a just trade-off in attempting to deter people from our shores" said Mr Henderson.
"There is no point keeping innocent kids in detention to ward-off refugee-boats when Australia has a naval blockade. Moreover, there is no reason to think they'll abscond, as 95% are found to be refugees and will be given a visa despite the trauma they suffer" said James Thomson of the NCCA's Refugee Program.
"If parents exposed their child to violence protests, adults attempting suicide by hanging and slashing or failed to provide adequate education or a safe place to live, we would remove those children and consider prosecuting the parents. It is shocking to think we've had to have a three-year inquiry to tell us the obvious. Well now we know that locking up kids under the mantra of 'border protection' is wrong."
"These are refugee children who have often experienced horrific torture and subsequent trauma. Many have been made to witness the rape, torture and killings of their parents, brothers or sisters. They are extremely vulnerable, and to detain them is simply cruel" said Mr Thomson.
At present, all unauthorised asylum seekers are subject to indefinite, non-reviewable mandatory detention. No distinction is made between adults and children. The NCCA has long-criticised this law for breaching Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that the detention of a child shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest period of time. The report’s findings confirm that Australia's automatic detention system is neither a measure of last report nor for the shortest possible period of time and thus breaches one of the most widely signed international Conventions. Every child has spent an average of one year and five months in detention with the longest period being over 5 years.
The Government has the power to release children on bridging visas, but refuses to release parents. This ‘catch’ keeps children in detention as it is claimed it is 'in the best interests of the child' not to be separated from their parents and placed into foster care.
Responding to the report's finding, the NCCA calls on the government to:
- * immediately release all children and their families from immigration detention in Australia and Nauru;
- * establish and fund appropriate care and support services for children once out of detention;
- *undertake wholesale legislative reform of the Migration Act (1958) to remove the requirement of automatic detention of children who arrive in Australia without the correct documents.
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In one expert study of 20 asylum seeker children in detention submitted to the Inquiry by the South Australian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, it was found that:
- * Every single child had seen an adult self-harm, often their own parents.
- * Every single child had a parent with a major psychiatric illness, and
Of the Children between 6 and 17 years of age, it found that:
- * All reported thoughts of self-harm
- * 80% had acted on these impulses
- * 70% had anxiety disorders
- * 50% had persistent severe somatic symptoms, particularly headaches and abdominal pains
Of the Children under 5 years of age, it found that:
- * 50% showed delayed language and social development
- * 30% had marked disturbances in behaviour and interaction with parents
- * 30% were diagnosed with severe parent-child relationship problems, particularly separation anxiety and oppositional behaviour
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For more information contact: James Thomson on (02) 92992215 or 0402 67 55 44
Note: On 13 May, 2004, the Federal Government tabled in Parliament the Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention. HREOC has released a media kit complete with fact sheets and a media release (see below). HREOC will have a media conference on Friday morning 14 May 2004 and will later launch the report in each state, giving the public an opportunity to comment on the report’s findings. A community guide to the 600 page report will be made available with the report.
Resources available on HREOC's website:
- 'A last resort?' homepage
- The complete report of the Inquiry
- A summary guide
- A media kit
- Statements by Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner (+ audio grabs for radio):
For more on alternatives to detention, please see the index left
Australia may be proud of its role in East Timor but it is acting selfishly and illegally over oil, says Jose Ramos Horta, Foreign Minister of East Timor. He compares Australia’s role in oil talks, to “Bill Gates arguing with a taxi driver over a fare”. The richest country in the region should not be haggling with the poorest, he asserts.
Dr Horta, speaking at a Sydney fundraising dinner, spoke of the many challenges facing East Timor as it approaches its second birthday. There is still much to be done in rebuilding infrastructure, increasing access to education and reducing disease and malnutrition.
Dr Horta is cautiously optimistic about the future. East Timor should not rely exclusively on oil revenue but at the same time, that revenue would help to provide for basic services. “It is a matter of justice”, he said. Over 60 cases on international maritime boundaries had been decided on the 50/50 division between countries and only one - the agreement reached between Australia and Indonesia over the Timor Gap - had used a different formula. “Where is the justice in Australia’s stand?” Dr Horta asked. He was also critical of what he saw as Australia’s delaying tactics in the negotiations, which would only serve to benefit Australia.
Dr Ramos Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his years of struggle for East Timorese independence, said there is “a cost in human terms of delaying the decision on oil and gas rights in the larger fields of the Timor Gap. Australia is putting self-interest before justice.”
He praised the churches, especially the Catholic Church, for their work in education and health and commented, “It’s not enough for churches to promise heaven, people need food in their stomachs”.
The dinner, organized by forceten, raised money for community food projects designed by local churches to help the poorest communities. Money raised form the evening will go projects run by Caritas Australia and Christian World Service.
Full details on Dr Ramos Horta’s speech can be obtained from forceten.
For more information contact Amanda Jackson, forceten, telephone 02 9299 2215
forceten, Locked Bag 199, Sydney, NSW, 1230, Fax: 02 9262 4514, Ph: 02 9299 2215
Australia should ensure it has good policies as well as good intentions when it intervenes in the affairs of other nations. Mr Caesar D’Mello, National Director of Christian World Service (CWS), said this today.
CWS is the relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches in Australia. “The Solomon Islands welcomed Australia’s intervention when we sent troops, police and officials there last July,” he said. “But how well did we involve the institutions of civil society in the Solomons, such as the churches, in planning the intervention? “Could our attitude be seen as smacking of a ‘we know better than you’ approach?
“We may not have fully taken into account the effects on the people who were left behind to continue to deal with the situation after we’d left. “We may not have been sensitive enough about cultural issues. “Australia needs to consult more with the local people. And we should certainly confer more with the churches in places like the Pacific, where they have so much influence.”
Mr D’Mello said there are two contrasting realities in the Pacific. “It has a stunning tropical landscape - and its environment is threatened by poverty and conflict,” he said. Australia’s interest in the Pacific is growing.
“There’s an increasing need for Australian civil society to be involved in the development of our foreign policy in relation to the Pacific. “Foreign policy, after all, should strive to express the relationship between peoples, not just between experts, or government departments.”
CWS, he said, represents the Australian churches and is in touch with their Pacific partners. “We have a responsibility to be one of the reference points,” he said. “Australia is still coming to terms with what it means to be a good post-colonial neighbour. “We need to foster a relationship that minimises dependency and enables maximum local responsibility.” Mr D’Mello said there are real differences between Australia and the Pacific.
“There’s also a commonality of issues and challenges,” he said. “We can address them more effectively by working together.”
He said CWS, through Christmas Bowl, has been working for many years with Pacific partners.
“Together we’re striving to address some complex issues - like HIV/AIDS, global warming, trade, security and the effects of economic globalisation.”
Consultations
Are we good neighbours to the Pacific? That question will be the focus of a series of consultations in four Australian states in July. There will be a consultation, “The Pacific at the Crossroads,” in Adelaide on Friday, July 9 - the day the National Council of Churches in Australia’s fifth national forum opens.
It will be held in conjunction with the South Australian Council of Churches.
The consultation and the forum will both be held at Lincoln College, North Adelaide.
Speakers will be:
• Archbishop Adrian Smith, Executive Chairperson of Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA). He has a long history of involvement in the Solomons.
• Mr Tom Anayabere, who has recently taken up the position of General Secretary of the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches (PNGCC).
• Mr Fei Tevi, who is of Tongan descent. He is the Executive Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Pacific Office, based in Fiji
• Ms Koila Costello-Olsson, a long term advocate of women’s issues. She works with the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA), Fiji, as the Gender and Peace Programme Coordinator.
Details are available from the Reverend Vikki Waller, phone 08 8221 6633.
There will be consultations in three other places with the same speakers:
• Brisbane, on Tuesday, July 6. Details from Michelle Knight, 07 3369 6792.
• Canberra, on Wednesday, July 7. Details from Rod Corrigan, 02 6273 8805.
• Melbourne, Thursday, July 8. Details from Jeff Wild, 03 9650 6811.
Details of all the consultations are also available from Aletia Dundas, phone 1800 025 101
by Nicholas Kerr
Australia cannot mature as a nation until there is true reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, Rev Professor James Haire said.
“The churches must do all they can to promote reconciliation in Australia,” he said.
“But, while we must speak out, we must be humble about this issue.”
Professor Haire is President of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and Director of the national Christian centre - the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra.
“A lot of the things the churches have done weren’t beneficial for the Aboriginal people,” he said.
“Many churches have acknowledged the mistakes of the past.
“Following the ‘Bringing them home’ report on the Stolen Generations, many churches have apologised for our part in helping to break up families.
“So, on the one hand, we are conscious of our own mistakes.
“On the other hand, we are very aware that God has called us to be a prophetic voice for justice, integrity and compassion.
“It’s good that, as a nation, we acknowledge the need for reconciliation and healing.
“As we acknowledge that need, we must also acknowledge that we still have a long way to go.
“Reconciliation calls for a change of heart, a change of attitudes and a determination to bring about social change.
“We cannot say that the work of reconciliation is really under way until we see a change in people’s lives and in the terrible statistics that describe the life of Indigenous people in Australia.
“The statistics about Indigenous people and their poverty, health, unemployment, infant mortality, life expectancy and imprisonment are unacceptable.
“When they change dramatically for the better, then we can say that we are a mature and responsible nation.”
Professor Haire said it was extremely significant that the Federal Government and the National Sorry Day Committee have announced that new artwork will be unveiled in Reconciliation Place in Canberra on National Sorry Day, May 26.
He said that, for 150 years until the late 1970s, thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families, with the authorization of Australian governments.
Hundreds of people from the Stolen Generations are expected to be at the unveiling in Canberra.
“It will be a memorial to the Stolen Generations,” Professor Haire said. “But it will also be an expression of gratitude to those Australians who took these children in.
“They have often been excluded. It was not their fault. It was government policy.
“The people who fostered these children need some form of memorial, some form of recognition.
“And the Aboriginal and Islander people want them to be remembered. Often they have deep affection for the individuals.”
Reconciliation is high on the churches’ agenda
Professor Haire said reconciliation is definitely on the Australian churches’ agenda - and it will be high on the agenda of the NCCA’s fifth national Forum in Adelaide from July 9 to 13. The forum is held every three years.
The Forum’s theme will be “At the cross roads; Living in a world of change”.
“We want the Forum to embrace the wider community,” Professor Haire said.
Aboriginal leader, Professor Lowitja O’Donaghue, will speak on peace and reconciliation.
“We want to push reconciliation in this country a bit further,” Professor Haire said.
The Forum will deal with the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV).
Rev Sam Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, will talk about changes, challenges and celebrations.
Part of the Forum will look at trends and directions in Australian society, and the place of the churches and the faith.
There will be a session on “Australian Christianity - what does it look like?” with a Pentecostal and Charismatic leader.
Professor Haire said the Bible studies will be on the theme, “Beneath the Cross”.
“They’ll be presented by Bishop Michael Putney, Catholic Bishop of Townsville,” Professor Haire said.
“This is an ecumenical first, in its way - a Catholic doing the Bible study. It’s normally the sort of thing you’d expect a Protestant to be doing.”
A Sunday celebration at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral will involve some recognition of the covenanting arrangements churches in Australia have already made with each other.
“There is a wide variety of covenanting arrangements,” Professor Haire said.
“Some churches have agreed to share their buildings, for example. Some have agreed to share the Eucharist.
“We want to ritualise those agreements at the service in the cathedral.”
The NCCA was formed 10 years ago, replacing the old Australian Council of Churches.
“There’ll be a review of the NCCA in a session called ‘At the cross roads: Ten years of travel.’
“And we will look at what the council needs to do in the future in a session called ‘At the cross roads: Setting our direction.’
“We’ll be using this phrase, ‘At the cross roads’ - meaning at the foot of the cross -
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) of the National Council of Churches in Australia condemns the decision by the Federal Government to abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). This decision jeopardises our aspirations as Indigenous peoples to self-determination and totally ignores the recommendations contained in the Report on the ATSIC Review, In the Hands of the Regions - a New ATSIC released in November 2003.
NATSIEC acknowledges that ATSIC is in need of structural reform as reported in the ATSIC Review. Abolishing ATSIC and replacing it with a non-elected advisory body flies in the face of the principles of self-determination and the democratic process.
Federal and State Governments must share responsibility for the current state of ATSIC and the current problems within the Indigenous community. ATSIC should not be used as a scapegoat for the Governments’ inadequacies in addressing current disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians.
NATSIEC believes that it is imperative that the Federal Government exercise wisdom and act justly in determining its approach to Indigenous affairs. The process must be conducted in close consultation and negotiation with Indigenous peoples. In any democratic society it is recognised that this is best achieved through an elected body. The Government sought consultation yet has chosen to completely ignore the recommendations from the resulting Review - a tremendous waste of taxpayers’ money and an insult to the contributions made by organisations, government agencies and individuals.
Therefore NATSIEC demands that the Federal Government recognises the importance to the Indigenous community of having a direct say in matters that affect our lives through elected representatives in accordance with the recommendations of the Government’s own review.
For further information please contact Mr. Graeme Mundine, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission on 02-92992215.
Churches Congratulate Government on Increase in Refugee intake, but Queries Need for Onshore Deterrents
Written byChristian World Service (CWS) Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) today congratulated the Minister for Immigration for increasing the number of offshore refugee places by 2,000 by taking 1,000 from the Special Humanitarian Program and increasing the overall Humanitarian Program intake from 12,000 places to 13,000.
James Thomson, spokesperson for the CWS/NCCA refugee program, said that the gesture would go a long way toward assisting some of the world's most desperate refugees, and was in line with increases in Australia's Migration intake, which had increased over previous years while there had been no increases in the humanitarian intake.
Thomson stated, however, that "while the churches do not agree with Australia's Pacific Solution, Australia's policy of naval interception has undoubtedly been successful. So successful, that it may be time for the Government to review the necessity of onshore deterrents such as mandatory detention and the use of Temporary Protection Visas."
"There is little point continuing to punish refugees arriving onshore to deter others when there is a naval blockade preventing ships reaching Australia."
"It must be understood that Australia's offshore program is voluntary. It assists the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to resettle refugees and Australian families reunite with relatives in danger overseas. Our onshore program is a matter of living up to the responsibility Australia undertook under international law to protect refugees arriving on our shores. They are very different programs and the Government should not have linked them by taking one place away from the offshore program for every refugee that arrives onshore."
James Thomson recently attended the Minister's Consultations in Adelaide where the NCCA and other refugee organizations:
- congratulated the Immigration Department for improvements to the offshore program,
- called for an increase in the overall humanitarian intake and the number of refugees within the program, and
- changes to the onshore program
CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE IS A COMMISSION OF THE NCCA WITH A MANDATE TO BREAK DOWN STRUCTURES WHICH CREATE POVERTY, OPPRESSION, INJUSTICE AND DIVISION
For More Information Contact:
James Thomson 0402 67 55 44
James D. Thomson National Education and Advocacy Officer
National Program on Refugees and Displaced People
Christian World Service
National Council of Churches in Australia
Locked Bag 199, Sydney 1230
Tel: 9299 2215, Fax: 9262 4514
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.ncca.org.au
At their gathering today in Canberra, the heads of a number of Australian Churches expressed their deep sorrow at the suffering of families caught up in the terrible train bombings in Spain.
“We join with the Spanish people in their shock and horror at this attack,” they said.
“We deplore the use of violence against innocent people and commend all efforts to bring those responsible for such terrorist acts to justice.”
This statement is released in the names of the heads of the following Australian Churches*:
Anglican Church of Australia
Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
Assyrian Church of the East
Churches of Christ in Australia
Congregational Federation of Australia
Coptic Orthodox Church
Lutheran Church of Australia
Presbyterian Church of Australia
Salvation Army
Syrian Orthodox Church
Religious Society of Friends
Uniting Church in Australia
* The Roman Catholic head of church was absent in Rome
Further Information:
John Henderson
General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia
(02) 9299-2215
More...
Jews, Muslims and Christians call for Positive Choices for Peace
Written byRepresentatives of Australia's peak Christian, Islamic and Jewish bodies met in Sydney today reaffirming their joint commitment to live together in peace and respect in Australia.
In the light of heightened tensions in the Middle East and the possible export of tensions and violence to societies such as Australia, the Dialogue on the subject of "Peace" was both timely and valuable.
The Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews (ANDCMJ), which is a joint initiative of the National Council of Churches in Australia, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, met at Sydney's Zetland Mosque today, after being formally launched twelve months ago.
The representatives of the three peak bodies reaffirmed their commitment to the peace and the well-being of all Australians.
The delegates stated jointly “We call on all Australians to make positive choices for peace and to refuse to resolve issue by the use of violence. In light of our commitment to live in peace, no acts of violence or attacks against ethnic or religious communities are acceptable in our community.
“We should instead take positive actions, building on the strong relationships we already have. The 30 young people who participated in the recent ‘Journey of Promise’ initiative, sponsored by the ANDCMJ and supported by the Federal Government's ‘Living in Harmony’ initiative, are symbols of hope for the future of relationships in Australia. We should learn from their example and continue building a community of peace and hope.”
* * * * *
Further Information:
John Henderson, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in
Australia: 0429-224-935
Amjad Ali Mehboob, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Federation of
Islamic Councils: 0408-234-434
Jeremy Jones, President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry: 0411-536-436
Dr Jose Ramos-Horta to speak at Fundraising Dinner for East Timor
Written by
Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, knows first-hand about dealing with the scars left by violence and poverty – four of his eleven brothers and sisters were killed by the Indonesian military. He can also speak with authority on peace and politics – for over 20 years he travelled the world urging nations to remember the plight of East Timor, occupied by Indonesia for 24 gruelling years.
Now Dr Ramos-Horta is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation in East Timor. His knowledge of international affairs is vital to this tiny, new and poor nation.
His Excellency will be in Sydney on Friday April 30 to speak at a charity fundraising dinner at the Swissôtel, Market St. His topic will be “East Timor at the Crossroads”.
Dr Ramos-Horta’s speech at the forceten dinner should prove to be a lively and interesting insight into the issues facing a new country. May 20th is East Timor’s second birthday – it is a time to celebrate achievements and to think of the challenges facing our new neighbour. Challenges such as reconciling the past, feeding its people and resolving the dispute over oil reserves in the Timor Gap.
Dr Ramos-Horta’s views are forged by his experiences. He stated recently “Surely there must be the goodwill, leadership and vision to forge a new international coalition against hunger, abject poverty, malaria and AIDS. Extreme poverty is an affront to us all. It should shame us that governments can readily allocate billions of dollars to fight wars and yet refuse to spend modest sums to fight poverty. As a human being I am ashamed.”
All profits from the evening will go to food projects in rural communities in East Timor. The projects provide basic supplies to help set up community gardens. Over 30% of all homes, buildings, farms and other infrastructure were destroyed in 1999. A third of the population were made refugees. It takes time for any society to recover from such upheaval - and East Timor is desperately poor. So the help from the projects is vital.
Money from the dinner will go to two agencies working in East Timor - Caritas and YASONA.
If you would like to attend the dinner, please contact Amanda Jackson on 02 9299 2215 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Interview times with Dr Ramos-Horta are available on Friday April 30. Please contact Amanda Jackson.
RECONCILIATION: FOR THE HEALTH OF THE NATION
Reconciliation means facing up to racism.
Reconciliation means letting Indigenous peoples have a say in their future.
Reconciliation means self-determination and human rights for Indigenous peoples. Reconciliation means better health, housing, education and employment outcomes.
Reconciliation means a healthier nation.
The Indigenous peoples of Australia are a blessing to the land and waters of this country. Their unique continuing culture and tradition of land custodianship are fundamental to the health of the nation. But sadly, there is a deep chasm which lies between the First Peoples of this country and the rest of the population.
It is more than poor health outcomes; although we must acknowledge the serious nature of the fact that the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians is twenty years below the national average. It is more than poor housing, education outcomes and income levels. It is more than the still prevalent racism.
The deep chasm exists because we are still to resolve the fundamental injustices which have created these conditions for Indigenous peoples. Despite countless inquiries and reports, recommendations to address these fundamental and foundational issues remain unimplemented.
Why have similar nations like Canada and New Zealand closed the ‘health gap’ between their first peoples and the rest of their population, while Australia has not? Treaties, human rights and policies of self-determination have provided a framework for achieving better health outcomes in those nations.
In Australia, reconciliation needs to go further than the memory of a million ‘bridge walkers’ and ‘sorry signers’. As the recent Senate Inquiry into Reconciliation suggests, we need national leadership to redress injustice and deal with disadvantage.
For the health of the nation and the health of Indigenous people we must all put reconciliation back on the agenda.
Faith Communities for Reconciliation are
The Anglican Church of Australia, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Baptist Union of Australia, Buddhist Community in Australia, Churches of Christ, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Hindu Community in Australia, Liberal Catholic Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha’i, The Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Uniting Church in Australia, National Council of Churches in Australia, World Conference on Religion and Peace.
What Can You Do?
As a person of faith committed to reconciliation you can actively ensure that the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is observed well in your faith community.
encourage your faith community
- to make commitments for reconciliation
- to participate in services of worship, camps and conferences in which Indigenous and non-indigenous people will share
- erect plaques on buildings recognising the traditional owners of the land
- to establish programs to assist Indigenous economic empowerment and employment
- to promote cultural awareness and understanding
- to redress racism and disadvantage in its own structures
participate in community campaigns to
- support Indigenous rights and redress Indigenous disadvantage
- seek changes in education which better reflect Indigenous culture and our shared history
- erect memorials and monuments in recognition of the true history
- encourage the development of training and employment programmes for Indigenous people
- encourage the development of agreements between local government bodies and Indigenous people
- improve the delivery of health services for Indigenous people
The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation is an initiative of faith communities in Australia committed to a just reconciliation with Indigenous people. It is part of the wider process of reconciliation which has been going on since 1991. The Week of Prayer begins on 27 May, the date of the 1967 Commonwealth Government Referendum which acknowledged the rightful place of Indigenous people in the Australian population, and ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision of the High Court of Australia, recognising the pre-existence of native title to land in Australia.
We, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, call for a period of reflection in the wake of the tragic death of 17-year-old Thomas ‘TJ’ Hickey and the subsequent riots in Redfern. Although the passage of time may not have lessened the pain of those affected by the situation, it gives the wider church community a chance to revisit attitudes and responses to Indigenous people; to seek insight and a way forward.
In addition to the immediate causes of the riots, these events have raised deeper issues that need to be identified, recognised and resolved. It is regretable that the death of ‘TJ’ had to occur before issues of reconciliation were brought again to the wider community’s conscience. Those of us who are part of the wider community must try not to pre-judge any inquiries into these events. Let our contributions be constructive ones.
In our sadness and concern, we must find space to remember and honour the work the residents of ‘The Block’ and their supporters who are striving to build a better community for their people, especially the children and youth in the area. Their efforts reveal a courage and strength we admire. Let us continue to pray for them in these endeavours.
Let us not forget the work, which is carried out in Redfern by our churches’ pastors and lay associates – both indigenous and non-indigenous. Their ministry has highlighted the significance of God’s presence among us, especially in the difficult times of our lives. We know that they will continue to work with the people of ‘The Block’ and Redfern during these difficult times and into the future.
We, the Commission, recommit ourselves to standing alongside all those in Redfern and around Australia working for justice and reconciliation; we call on the body of Christ in Australia to do the same.
For further information please contact Mr Peter Sabatino, Executive Secretary, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission on 02-92992215.
