Election 2010 UCA Resources

Hi Guys, below is all the great work from uniting justice on some of the issues and things to think about leading up to the 2010 election. I have copied the page in full because it could do with a couple of home plus less clicks for you. I will have some hard copies at upperoom project this month or just download some now.  - Age

Your Faith, Your Vote, Your Voice

When it comes time to exercise one of our core democratic rights and responsibilities and vote in a parliamentary election, how do we think about our vote? Do we vote the way we always have? Do we vote on the basis of a single issue? Will we vote for whoever is promising the most? Is our vote based on which candidate will be better able to  represent our locality? Will we think about what kind of society we want and which politicians seem to share our values?

Building an Economy for Lifeinvites you to consider the values which underpin the policies of the political parties and candidates who are asking us to give them the responsibility of national leadership.

Download these resources

Building an Economy for Life Booklet

The cornerstone of the resources is the Building an Economy for Life booklet, which explores some of the major areas of public policy and current issues from a Christian perspective on human and ecological wellbeing. A fuller introduction to the theology and more detailed information about the purpose of the resource can be found here.

The booklet also includes an election toolkit with useful links to information on all things politics and elections and suggestions for planning activities such as pre-election candidates forums and a meeting with your local MP or candidates.

Click here to download the booklet

You can obtain hard copies of this booklet, free of charge, by contacting the Assembly office, on 02 8267 4300 or email enquiries@nat.uca.org.au

Hot Issues

The Hot Issues papers are A5 sized flyers that take a snap-shot look at particular topical issues such as Indigenous health, the Northern Territory intervention, gender pay equity, freedom of religion and multiculturalism. Several of these papers are available in hard copy - contact the Assembly office to place an order, on 02 8267 4300 or email enquiries@nat.uca.org.au

• Alcohol Misuse
• Christmas Island
• Taking the “Dis” out of Disability
• Gambling
• The State of Indigenous Health
• Northern Territory Indigenous Intervention
• Multiculturalism in Australia
• People Trafficking
• Freedom of Religion (web-only)
• Gender Pay Equity (web-only)
• A Tax on Financial Transactions (web-only)

Issues Papers

These web-only papers offer a more in-depth look at the issues and policies covered in the Building an Economy for Life booklet. Papers have been contributed from many parts of the Church, including the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and numerous Assembly agencies and units.

• Recognition and Respect: Justice for Indigenous Australians
• Protecting the Persecuted: Compassion for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Tackling Climate Change: Ensuring our Future
• Beyond the Urban Fringe: Issues for Outback Australia
• Protecting Human Rights
• Justice in Income Support
• Sharing the Wealth: A Just and Progressive Taxation System
• A Decent Life for Older People
• Embracing our Diversity: A Multicultural, Multi-faith Society
• Justice in International Development

Additional Resources

How to plan a candidates forum

Read the statement ‘An Economy of Life’ adopted by the 12^th Assembly. 
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/uniting-church-statements.html#economyoflife.

* all Federal Election 2010 resources have been printed on ‘carbon neutral’ paper

Calling all Merry Peeps!

Ok guys now is the time to pull back the bow and let some arrows rip! -Age

The call out from Robin back in Sherwood…

Two months ago we asked Robin Hood supporters to write to Treasurer Wayne Swan and urge him to consider a financial transactions tax. An incredible 2,500 of you responded, filling out an online e-action letter that was sent direct to the Treasurer. Today, we are asking you to once again spend just 0.05% of your day – that’s less than a minute – on writing to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

On June 26 Kevin Rudd will attend the G20 Leaders Meeting in Toronto where proposals for a financial contribution to society by the global banking and finance sector will be discussed.

Of all the proposals on the table, the Robin Hood Tax is the only tax which both dissuades some of the finance sector excesses and makes a significant contribution to society. All other proposals are focused instead on simply recouping the direct costs of bail-outs or providing a money pot for future financial crises.

The Robin Hood Tax is an historic opportunity to leverage a tiny tax on short-term speculative trading to both improve the finance sector and make a giant change to people’s lives, and our planet, in this lifetime. We want Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to back this tiny tax on financial transactions that will bolster public services, reduce global poverty and help tackle climate change.

According to the IMF, it was the strong public campaign which was responsible for keeping the Robin Hood Tax on the table. But, without continuing public support, this crucial tax could be pushed aside at the G20 Leaders Meeting in Toronto. It is vital we act now.

What you can do

Add your voice to the growing global movement supporting the Robin Hood Tax. Write to the Prime Minister today. Show Prime Minister Rudd that you want Australia to lead the world in championing global financial reform. Show him you want him to take this historic opportunity to create a better world.

It’s easy: we have a letter ready that you can use.

Write to Kevin Rudd Now

Robin Hood Tax Stunts Today

Sydney followers to converge on Martin Place, 1pm today
If you’re in Sydney CBD today at 1pm we’d love to see you at our Global Day of Action event for the Robin Hood Tax.

This will be a quick, fun, 15 minute action for the media and our website; come along and let’s show the world what the Australian Robin Hood campaign can do!

When: 1pm today (Thursday 20 May)
Where: Meet at the Cenotaph war memorial at the base of Martin Place, between George St and Pitt St. We’ll then walk together to the top of Martin Place where we will perform the stunt at 1:15pm.
What else: If you can, come in your best Robin Hood green! If that’s not possible, just come - we’ll have some Robin Hood attire to hand around.
Perth citizens alert: get your gear on for morning stunt

Merry folk in Perth are gearing up for their Day of Action at 9:15am today (Thursday 20 May).

Campaigners, Facebook friends and all followers of the Robin Hood Tax campaign are urged to come on down to St Georges Terrace for a quick stunt and photo opportunity.

When: Today at 9:15am
Where: The Kangaroo statues at St Georges Terrace, next to Perth Council offices before the Supreme Court Gardens.
What else: Dress as Robin or at least in green, or just come along and be part of it all!

World wakes up to Robin Hood Day

This week Robin Hood Tax campaigners from across the world are taking part in Make Finance Pay Week, a global event aimed at pushing the financial sector to take responsibility for the global recession it helped cause.

As G20 finance ministers prepare to meet in Berlin this week, coalitions from England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Australia have come together to campaign for all G20 governments to introduce a Robin Hood Tax on banks that would raise hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

“Make Finance Pay Week shows that the Robin Hood Tax campaign is now a global phenomenon, with events taking place in at least seven countries on three continents this week,” said Owen Tudor, Head of European Union and International Relations at the TUC.

See the video of the US Global Day of Action event.

Read our full report.

Robin’s extras

Robin Road Show a hit in Canberra
Campaigners for the Robin Hood Tax hit the road last week to discuss the key benefits of a Financial Transactions Tax in our nation’s capital. One thousand students from the Make Poverty History Road Trip attended the presentation run by Robin Hood campaigners Ed Shiell and Nic Nelson. We are glad to say we have hundreds of new members of our merry band!

All Aboard!!!

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY  Roadtrip is on its way.

The road trip is part of the Make Poverty History (MPH) campaign that the Uniting Church has supported and engaged with for many years from policy development, to political lobbing, education, service and aid partnerships throughout the world. The MPH Roadtrip is a great opportunity for our young adults to put their faith in action. Idea in a nut shell 1000 16-25 year olds travel from 7 cities in 9 road trips through marginal seat towns, raising poverty and justice issues in various ways, ending with a summit/celebration in Canberra.

What can I do?

Well if your on the road trip I would love you to share with us what you are doing as comments here. You know stories, trouble making fun etc…

First - Sign the Act to End Poverty pledge.

The Act to End Poverty is a declaration boldly and clearly affirming Australia’s commitment to the ending global poverty. It spells out Australia’s support for the Millennium Development Goals and the principles inherent in the Millennium Declaration. It says that Australia will spare no effort in pursuing the eradication of extreme poverty. http://www.acttoendpoverty.com.au/

Second - Come to an event near you.

Check out all the events here  http://www.theroadtrip.com.au/page/attend-event

Here are a couple of spots to say Hi that UCA mobs are helping with. (I am at Ringwood UC forum and the Summit in Canberra - not sure if that is a selling point)

- I know there are more out there so add your events as comments and I will copy them into the body as we get them

• If near Ringwood UCA are hosting an electorate forum for Deakin followed by some time to hang out with the trippers.

Where: Ringwood Uniting Church, 2 Greenwood Ave Ringwood, 3134 VIC, Australia
When: Saturday 8th May 2010
Speakers: Mike Symon MP (Member for Deakin Electorate)

• If near Shepparton - UnitingCare – Cutting Edge, Diversity group are hosting afternoon tea.

Where: Wesley Hall, 136 Maude Street, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia Australia
When: Monday 10th May 2010 3-4:30pm

• If near Canberra come to the summit and concert http://theroadtrip.com.au/page/join-summit

Where: Parliament House and Friday we will be at ANU
When: Thursday 13 & Friday 14 May 2010 - Lots of Speakers including UCA and justice buddies

MPH Road trip Action 4 All

The Act to End Poverty

Robin Hood tax

I am Robin Hood!!

A tiny tax on bankers that would reduce global financial instability and give billions to tackle poverty and climate change, here and abroad.

This tax � levied principally on short term speculative trading � has the power to raise billions every year. It would give a vital boost to health care, our schools � as well as tackling poverty and climate change around the world.

Our goal � to see Australia endorse a Robin Hood Tax at the G20 meeting in June.�Nobel Laureates,�leading economists, and prominent world leaders agree.

Not complicated. Just brilliant.

On April 23, Treasurer Wayne Swan will attend the G20 Finance Ministers� Meeting in Washington where the Robin Hood Tax will be discussed.

So�Email the minister today�even it will only take a minute

MPH roadtrip

Endorsing Statement from Adrian Greenwood (Wow! I know!!)

Make Poverty History (MPH) is a campaign the Uniting Church has supported and engaged with for many years from policy development, to political lobbing, education,? service and aid partnerships throughout the world. The MPH Roadtrip is a great opportunity for our young adults to put their faith in action.

At NCYC in Jan 2009 young people of the UCA articulated, demonstrated and celebrated a Good News that is both personally and socially transformative. Thousands of us engaged in public liturgy, acts of protest, service, social action and pranks, flash mobs and research. This?May I am proud to encourage our UCA young people to join the MPH?Roadtrip to engage their towns and country to make poverty history. We as the UCA are in an excellent position to help with local actions, provide hospitality in our churches and opportunities to see our agencies working to make a better world.? So join in already.

http://www.theroadtrip.com.au/

So the UCA are partnering with the roadtrip. This means churches can host groups (accom & food), ?help organise actions and activities in your town when they come past. Also we (uca) have found some $ to help get your young peeps to it 50 UCA people get $100 towards their costs.

Contact oaktree, Tess, me or your state youth person to chat more about getting on board the roadtrip.

mph-roadtrip-information-final pdf info file

Al’s support letter (the useful one )

Rev Alistair Macrae - UCA President letter of support

Warm New Year greetings to you!

I write this letter to tell you about the Uniting Church in Australia?s involvement in the 2010 MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Roadtrip, organised for May this year.

The Uniting Church has been strongly involved in the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign for many years and is committed to doing our part to combat global poverty.

The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Roadtrip will mobilise young people from across Australia, including many of our own young people, and equip them with valuable skills and experiences in advocacy and campaigning for a fairer world. The Roadtrip also aims to raise awareness about the Millennium Development Goals and issues of poverty with both the young people taking part and members of the community involved along the way.

I encourage you to read the enclosed information about the Roadtrip. Please consider ways your congregation might be involved in this exciting opportunity to engage with and support this journey of these passionate young people acting against poverty.

There are many ways you can be involved ranging from encouraging and sponsoring your youth to participate in the Roadtrip, to providing hospitality for the group passing through your area. The Oaktree Foundation is coordinating this project and the Uniting Church has been asked to take this particular role because of our long involvement in the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign, our concern for justice and our reputation for hospitality.

The Uniting Church joins with Christians worldwide in calling and acting for equality and justice for all. Your support of this Roadtrip is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate that we take this call seriously.

I am looking forward to supporting and participating in this road trip myself. I might see you somewhere along the way!

I commend it strongly for your prayerful attention.

May God bless the worship, witness and service of your congregation in 2010.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Rev Alistair Macrae

Anti-Poverty Week My Arse

From Diane’s blog:

Alright so, anger and sadness have filled my thoughts for the last couple of days as I had big plans for this week.?Anti-poverty Week was suppose to be a time where people bridge the gap, get to know and maybe make?a difference in the lives of some people in poverty. There is this carpark ramp?at the back of my work, where some people have made their home. During the day their belongings are neatly stored in the cable trays that hang under the concrete slab above, no one would know during the day that anyone called this home. I work long hours and this is how my friends and I?met.?My plan this week was to make sure that each night?there was?dinner, or some new blankets, or even something like some flowers. I even thought of doing a painting. Alas ? my plans have changed. Monday morning, bright and fresh I strolled down the alley to find a dirty great big roller door stuck on the outside of the building…

Read the full post for the whole story…

Anti-Poverty Week

Anti-Poverty Week 2009 is coming up. JustAct have produced some ?challenges? for the week that involve everything from no sweatshop shirts to access to TAFE education: http://www.justact.org.au/action-39-fight-poverty/action-39-fight-poverty-challenges/ (check them out and take the challenge).

The Victorian Council of Churches have organised an ecumenical service ?with extraordinary fair trader Bronwyn Darlington to speak, and pop maestro Joel Meadows from the Steinbeck?s providing a song. This should be a good event to attend if you think Christianity and social justice are connected.

Also, St Mary?s House of Welcome will be holding a fiery ?Great Debate? to highlight anti-poverty week and the plight of homeless and disadvantaged people in Australia (see attached).

These are just a few examples of how you can get involved in the week. You can register events here: http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/join_in.html or find more events here: http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/events.php

$2 A Day

Make your $2 work for a better world! Take the $2 A Day Pledge this Anti-Poverty Week!

$2 is less than most of us spend on a cup of coffee, yet that?s what more than 2 billion people around the world must survive on every day.

As part of Anti-Poverty Week (insert organisation name) has partnered with Fairtrade in a new campaign that helps make our little daily purchases really count for something.?

The $2 A Day Pledge asks supporters to commit to spend $2 a day on their favourite Fairtrade products for two weeks from October 17 - the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. By taking the pledge and choosing Fairtrade, we?re choosing to actively reduce poverty by investing in some of the world?s most vulnerable communities.

It could be your daily coffee or tea, a chocolate treat, or perhaps a gift for a friend (did you know there are now Fairtrade t-shirts and sports balls)? It?s such an easy, effective and often delicious way to make a difference in your everyday life.?

Buying Fairtrade means farmers and workers in developing countries actually receive a fair price for their crops and produce.? Fairtrade also supports them to directly invest in their business and communities through additional funds, which means they can build the things we take for granted every day - schools, roads and hospitals.

Last year alone, AU$25 million worth of Fairtrade coffee sales in Australia and New Zealand helped provide farmers with over AU$2 million in additional funds to spend on their businesses and their communities.

Who says coffee can?t change the world?

Make your $2 work for a better world ? pledge now!

www.2dollarsaday.org.au

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