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e-newsletter 6 October 2010
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- Category: News Archive
- Published on Thursday, 25 November 2010 10:22
- Written by Jennifer
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UnitingJustice e-news 6 October 2010
Our work in October
Our National Director, Rev. Elenie Poulos, is currently in Albania for a meeting of the World Council of Churches' Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. Elenie is the only Australian member of this Commission, which last met in Cuba in 2009. The agenda includes reflection on World Council of Churches programs in peacemaking, human rights, poverty, wealth and economy and interreligious relations. There will be a focus on global advocacy and Elenie has been invited to present a paper on opportunities for joint international advocacy.
We are also commencing our communications with the new Government and its Ministers, Shadow Ministers and new Members of Parliament, outlining the Church’s policy positions on a range of issues, including asylum seekers and climate change.
Continuing our opposition to the mandatory detention of asylum seekers
The Uniting Church in Australia has for many years been calling on successive governments to end the policy of mandatory detention for those who arrive by boat and to commit fully to onshore processing. We believe that this policy compounds the suffering of people who have already endured considerable mental and physical trauma.
On 22 September, we reiterated this position in a media release calling for the urgent review of the mandatory detention policy.
Click here to read this media release.
Civil society statement on a credible plan on pollution and climate change
During the period after the Federal Election when negotiations on forming a government were occurring, we joined a diverse group of civil society organisations in calling for an urgent price on carbon pollution.
Click here to read this statement and its signatories.
Human rights seminar at the United Theological College
UnitingJustice was delighted to support a recent seminar day at the United Theological College in Sydney, featuring human rights theologian Professor George Newlands. Professor Newlands’ two excellent presentations were separated by a very moving speech from Mr Mick Gooda, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.