Registration for SS Referendum
South Sudan, Sudan
In January 2011, South Sudan will go to a referendum to decide if it will become an independent country. Australian South Sudanese people will be able to vote in this election.
Edmund Rice Refugee Services invites Brothers' Communities, Edmund Rice Ministries, workers, volunteers and members of the Edmund Rice Network to consider making a donation to help Sudanese Australians exercise their democratic right to vote. Let us remember that the First Provincial Chapter of Christian Brothers Oceania in 2008, named Refugees as one of its two specific thrusts to The First People and the Last People.The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is running polling stations, so far only in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. Eligible voters will need to travel to polling stations twice: once to register in person from November 15 – December 1, 2010, then again to vote from January 9 – 15, 2011.
The Sudanese Lost Boys Association of Australia and the Humanitarian Crisis Hub will hold community information sessions about the voting process, and organise transport from around Australia to help people travel to and from the polling stations.
They are seeking support from the public by way of donations which will help provide transportation and community education services to the South Sudanese community during this time.
Secure donations can be made at this address: http://www.givenow.com.au/southsudanreferendum
(There may be local appeals in some States.)
They are also seeking:
- Free or reduced-price bus hire, which will allow more people to travel to polling stations.
- Circulation of this appeal through personal and community networks.
For more information, see: www.lostboys.org.au or www.crisishub.org.au
Brother Sean McManus
Director
Edmund Rice Refugee Services, Melbourne
refugees.vic@edmundrice.org
