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Poverty: Human Rights Matter
By Livia Carusi
Sir William Deane, Australia’s 22nd Governor General, notably said : “It is my firm belief that the ultimate test of our worth as a democratic nation is how we treat our most disadvantaged and vulnerable”.
Deane’s belief and challenge to our great nation, in fact to all nations, remains as relevant in 2012 and beyond as it did in 1998. If we accept Deane’s belief, then the challenge thrown down to us all is how to translate this belief into action, into reality.
Human Rights & Poverty
We tend to conceive of poverty within an international framework which confronts us with horrific images of people – including the most vulnerable of all, children – who are not afforded their basic human rights, including food, water, health care, education, housing, employment.
So what do we understand of poverty within the Australian context? And does the approach we adopt in responding to this question make a difference?
Click HERE for the complete article. Courtesy “ProgressOhio“,flickr
at St Vincent de Paul Society 43 Prospect Street Box Hill VIC
Guest Speaker: Dr Cassandra Goldie,
Executive Officer, Australian Council of Social Services
Panel Respondents:
Lucy Adams, Public Interest Law Clearing House
Michaela Guthridge, Board Member Social Policy Connections
RSVP to Livia Carusi livia.carusi@svdp-vic.org.au , 03 9895 5859 Click HERE for the flyer.
Part of Anti-Poverty Week, hosted by The St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, in partnership with the Public Interest Law Clearing House, Social Policy Connections, and the Australian Council of Social Services.
Participating and Supporting the Cause!
In Australia this year, Anti-Poverty Week takes place 16 to 22 October. To become involved, to learn of the initiatives and opportunities, and/or to advertise an activity, go to www.antipovertyweek.org.au.
Seeking Asylum: A Just Solution?
ACU Central Hall 20-22 Brunswick Street Fitzroy
RSVP to justice@cam.org.au
Enquiries Mark Clarke 03 9926 5727 www.cam.org.au/justice
This year’s Rerum Novarum Oration, delivered by Bishop Vincent Long, will examine the issue of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat. Bishop Long himself arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker.
The Hon. Mr Malcolm Fraser will respond. As Prime Minister, Mr Fraser introduced an immigration policy that enabled the compassionate and orderly integration of asylum seekers and refugees arriving in Australia by boat from Indo-China.
St Brigid’s Church hall, 378 Nicholson St., North Fitzroy Melbourne
Panel: Caz Coleman, Dr Tony Ward, Rev Alistair Macrae (President, Uniting Church of Australia)
Contact The Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy: (03) 9899 4777; mobile: 0409 897 971 admin@yarrainstitute.org.au;
Click HERE for the invitation to the press launch.
Click HERE to order Sufficient for the Day: Towards a Sustainable Culture
Catholic Social Justice Statement 2011-2012
By Doug Rutledge
Political parties commonly propose “getting tougher on crime”, although the sorts of policies trotted out have rarely been shown to be effective in the real world.
And yet prisoners are as much an integral part of our society as anyone else. In the words of the Social Justice Statement from the Australian Catholic Bishops, “It is time for all Australians to revisit the needs of prisoners, their loved ones, and those who work with them. It is time to recommit ourselves to reducing the number of Australians held in prison, making better provision for ex-prisoners to become law-abiding and constructive citizens”. Click HEREto read the full article.
Cardijn in Australia Conference:
Planning for the Future:
How Cardijn’s methods can change our world
4-6 November 2011
Conference details – click HERE
Registration – click HERE
Dr. Paul Mees comments on Sufficient for the Day: towards a sustainable culture
Click HERE if the video does not display properly
Click HERE to view more SPC videos