Filipino Health Workers 'Morong 43' Walk Free
from the National Council of Churches in Australia
In the early hours of Saturday morning news filtered out of Manila that 38 of the 43 community health workers walked free after 10 months and seven days in detention. This news is warmly welcomed by the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). The Reverend Tara Curlewis, General Secretary of the NCCA said “yesterday’s news that a court in Rizal province ordered their release after the State prosecutors withdrew charges was fantastic. Now to know that these people are reunited with their families sees the hopes of many around the world became a reality.”
Aid Agency Hits Back at Christmas Waste
From act for peace the International Aid Agency of the National Council of Churches
Today, the international aid agency Act for Peace launched its annual appeal, the Christmas Bowl, encouraging Australians to share their Christmas with war-torn communities. The appeal is set to hit back at the billions of dollars spent each December on Christmas gifts that prove to be unwanted.
Act for Peace’s Executive Director, Alistair Gee said, “We’re injecting some meaning back into Christmas. It’s not all about socks, scented candles and neck ties. With the help of Australians, we’re aiming to raise over $2.7 million to support war-torn and refugee communities around the world. What do we have to lose? Well, apart from a few socks and foot spas.”
Churches call for Support for Iraqi Christians
from the National Council of Churches in Australia
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) shares the grief of Iraqi Christians following deadly attacks whilst people attended church in Baghdad. “With broken hearts we mourn the tragic and violent deaths of our brothers and sisters at Mass on 31 October” said the Reverend Tara Curlewis, NCCA General Secretary.
Constitutional acknowledgement should not detract from addressing legislative discrimination
from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia
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The announcement by the Prime Minister that the Government will work towards recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution was welcomed by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) as a positive action to address a long overdue omission.
Executive Secretary of the NATSIEC, Mr Graeme Mundine, has however raised concerns that Constitutional recognition will not mean anything unless the rights of Indigenous people are protected and respected in all policy decisions and implementation.
Christmas Bowl Delivers Aid as Crises Loom
From Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia
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Australian christians who support Act for Peace’s Christmas Bowl program in 2010 will offer a life-line to thousands of refugees who are suffering through the unfolding crises in Burma (Myanmar) and Sudan.
Burma’s military dictatorship has announced victory in Burma’s first elections in 20 years. Based on reports on the ground, the process was dominated, restricted and manipulated by the military junta. The elections have left the country more volatile than ever, with eruptions of violence causing citizens to seek refuge.
Cluster Bomb Ban Bill Introduced During Disarmament Week
From Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia
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Today, a Bill was introduced into the Federal Parliament to give effect to the Convention on Cluster Munitions which makes it illegal to assist in the production of cluster munitions.The ANZ bank currently provides loans totaling $135.8 million to cluster munitions manufacturers.
In light of the Bill, Act for Peace (the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia) urges Australian banks which currently fund cluster munitions manufacturers for any reason to now cancel their funding.
Financial Investments in Cluster Bomb Manufacturers Should be Outlawed
From Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia
During United Nations (UN) Disarmament Week (Oct 24-31), a bill to enact the Convention banning Cluster Munitions is reported to be tabled in the House of Representatives, though it is unlikely to contain a provision prohibiting financial institutions from funding manufacturers of cluster bombs.
Palestinian Community Leaders Arrive in Australia
from Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches
Two prominent Palestinian community leaders will arrive in Australia this week to encourage Australian churches and individuals to engage in community action for peace in Palestine and Israel.
Two Critical Voices for Palestine Urge Australian Action in Melbourne
from Act for Peace the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches
Two outspoken and prominent Palestinian Community Leaders arrive in Melbourne this Sunday to call for unequivocal action to end the blockade of Gaza and justice for the Palestinian people.
The visit is set to coincide with the scheduled release of the Israel Defense Force Report, investigating the bloody attacks on the Gaza aid flotilla.
World Council of Churches ‘Living Letters’ Team visit Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory, Australia
From the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC)
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The World Council of Churches Living Letters visit to the Northern Territory (NT) in Australia has commenced in Darwin. The Living Letters Team is visiting Australia at the invitation of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC). The invitation was extended to show solidarity with Aboriginal people and to share insights and helpful approaches to achieving Just Peace. Specifically, the visitors will listen to Aboriginal people talk about their experiences of the NT Emergency Response (The Intervention) and other social justice issues.
