3 June, 2011

UnitingJustice News

Visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Our National Director Rev. Elenie Poulos recently took part in a roundtable meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, where a broad range of civil society organisations were given the opportunity to present their concerns about the protection of human rights in Australia.

Elenie spoke at the roundtable, organised by Amnesty International Australia, about the Uniting Church in Australia’s concerns about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in immigration detention.

During her visit, Ms Pillay voiced her concerns about Australia’s agreement to trade asylum seekers with refugees from Malaysia and the continuing denial of human rights to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory under the NT Emergency Response.

2011 Refugee Conference, UNSW Sydney

Marking 60 years of the UN Refugee Convention

UnitingJustice Australia is sponsoring the 2011 Refugee Conference, convened by the Centre for Refugee Research at the University of New South Wales, which runs from 14-17 June.

The Refugee Conference will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the United Nations Refugee Convention and the international system of refugee protection. Everyone from policy makers to advocates and interested community members are encouraged to attend. Registrations close 8 June and you can find out more information about the conference, including the program and speakers, at http://refugeeconf2011.arts.unsw.edu.au/

'Say Yes' to cutting carbon pollution

UnitingJustice has added its support to the campaign to 'Say Yes' - to cutting carbon pollution, to a clean healthy economy, to new clean energy jobs and to protecting our environment. For more information on the benefits of cutting carbon pollution visit http://www.sayyesaustralia.org.au/learn/

The campaign is organising events across Australia on World Environment Day - this Sunday 5 June - where people can show their support for addressing climate change.

Find out more on the 'Say Yes' website http://www.sayyesaustralia.org.au/

You Me Unity - constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians

Have your say on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution

Visit the new You Me Unity website, set up as the panel charged with gathering the views of Australians on this very important issue begins its work. You can find information about the consultation process, have your say on online forums and much more at http://www.youmeunity.org.au/

Take part in the Robin Hood Tax global day of action

Robin Hood Tax supporters from across the world are going to be banding together on 22 June to show their support for a tiny tax on financial transactions. To find out more about the global day of action, visit the Robin Hood Tax Australia website.

You can also find out more about the idea behind a financial transactions tax in our Fact Sheet [pdf]

Elenie’s recent and upcoming speaking engagements

Elenie will be presenting the Bible studies at the Northern Synod meeting at the end of June. They will explore the themes of the An Economy of Life: Re-imagining human progress for a flourishing world statement adopted at the 12th Assembly in 2009.

She also recently spoke with candidates for ministry at United Theological College (UTC) on one of their Ministry and Mission Days about the work of UnitingJustice Australia – what we do and why we do it. If you are interested in knowing more about the work of UnitingJustice, visit our website.

Farewell to Jennifer Whyte

After three years as Research Officer at UnitingJustice Australia, Jennifer is leaving to take a position at the Australian Human Rights Commission. Her final day will be 3 June.

This is a fabulous appointment for Jennifer and a great testimony to her skills and capacities. It is, though, a great loss to UnitingJustice and the Assembly. Her contribution over the last three years has been exemplary and she will be sorely missed. We wish Jennifer God’s blessings for the next stage of her working life.