ERC In Touch
Dear friends,
The three fields of interest to ERC's national advocacy work for greater respect for human rights have each seen key developments in recent weeks - with clear signs that the coming two to three years will likely be pivotal: climate change, reconciliation, and asylum seekers.
As the weather heats up, so too does the push for recognition and action on the real impact of climate change. Last week, the Edmund Rice Centre, through the Pacific Calling Partnership participated in the Tarawa Climate Change Conference in Kiribati. The success of this event - in both the process and outcome - is hoped to be seen repeated at the UN Climate Change Summit to be held in Cancun, Mexico later this month. Information and analysis of these processes can be accessed below, and there will be reports of ongoing developments and news in the next two editions of ERC InTouch.
Indigenous recognition has returned to public attention and the media, with the announcement of a national referendum for constitutional recognition. The public debate is a welcomed opportunity for all Australians to engage in this discussion, with hope of a general increasing awareness and understanding to accompany whatever change proposals may emerge. Today in Sydney ERC partner Patrick Dodson leads a national conference which seeks to advance discussions on reconciliation.
In coming editions we will give an overview of the extensive work carried out in this field by ERC in 2010 under the leadership of Cassandra Gibbs - including news of a documentary focussed on these Programs. However, details are listed below of events scheduled for next year by ERC Indigenous Programs.
The High Court decision about the denial of access to the courts to some refugee claimants has put into relief the inequity of a two-tiered system with one set of rules and treatment for those who, when fleeing persecution, have travelled by plane, and yet a whole different arrangement for those who have travelled by boat. Following the ruling, the cases of hundreds of asylum seekers will need to be reviewed a process that will take many months. Whilst large numbers are now passing the one-year mark under immigration detention, the suicides demonstrate to us the human cost of prolonged detention in terms of mental health. The next six to eighteen months will see a grave need for renewed broad-level engagements by ordinary Australians to advocate for humane and just asylum seeker policies.
In the context of these three areas demanding our urgent and on-going attention, the unending task of keeping the wolf from the door in terms of financial viability has seen all hands on deck in the office last week for the mail-out of our end of year donations appeal. (Readers are probably well aware of this - having already received an ERC visit via the postie.)
As a small organisation we perhaps lack the glossy fund-raising slickness of larger charities in our all-too-necessary fund-raising efforts. However, we hope you may be able to overlook any failings in this regard, and consider offering a donation. Our deep thanks, once again, for the ongoing support of all who have and who do donate. It makes all the difference in our ability to speak out for the silenced!
ERC InTouch team
