Hiroshima & Nagasaki Day

Remembering Hiroshima: Morning Vigil

This year will be the 65^th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is also the 25^th anniversary of the South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaty. A Vigil sponsored by MAPW, Pax Christi and the Society of Friends will be held on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate and reflect, with a minute’s silence at 8.15, the time the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

• When: Friday 6 August, 7am to 9am
• Where: St Paul’s Cathedral (corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets).

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Concert

Sunday 8th August 2010, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Village Roadshow Theatrette @ State Library of Victoria, Melbourne

Tickets at door: $15/$10 conc.

Warm up a cold wintry Sunday at a concert for peace
Sixty-five years after the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by nuclear blast, Japanese for Peace will bring together a diverse array of inspiring musicians, speakers and citizens of the world in a concert to celebrate peace and enable us to imagine a world without nuclear threat.

Performers:
Anne Norman – Shakuhachi
Dean Frenkel – Overtone Singer, Didgeridoo
Lee Morgan – Indigenous Musician
Liz Frencham – Singer/Songwriter
Wadaiko Rindo & Ayako Sato – Japanese Drums

Speaker:
Dave Sweeney – Australian Conservation Foundation

Supported by Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Concert proceeds to be donated to a charity organisation.

for more info http://mapw.org.au/

2010 Election Leaflets

Anyone for a bit of transparency in their 2010 election propaganda?

What a great idea. Thanks!

check out http://www.electionleaflets.org.au/

Election leaflets are one of the main weapons in the fight for votes in Australia.

They are targeted, effective and sometimes very bitter.

We need your help to photograph and map them so we can keep an eye on what the parties are up to, and try to keep them honest.

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

Enrole to vote

Still no date for the election but I though a community announcement was due If this is your first time voting or you have changed address now is the time to click this link and enrol to vote.

By completing this one enrolment form you will be enrolled to vote in federal, state/territory and local government elections.

http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm

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

Shout Out for Climate Change Competition

ANTAR virtual bridge walk

ANTaR

Welcome to the virtual bridge walk for reconciliation!

10 years ago, hundreds of thousands of Australians walked to show their support for reconciliation, starting with a walk across the Sydney Harbour bridge during Corrobboree 2000. Now’s the time to show that, even if we’re not there yet, our passion has never been stronger.

Show your support for respectful and equal relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia by joining in this virtual bridge walk for a united Australia.

Join the virtual walk! I did and here’s my ANTAR-Avatar Age!! 

Click here http://www.bridgewalk.org.au/

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!

Hit the ‘emergency stop’ button on the Afghanistan war!

In the week before Easter 2010 the Bonhoeffer Peace Collective went to the Swan Island Military base to press the emergency stop button on the war in Afghanistan. They face Geelong Magistrates Court in the last week of May/first week of June and would love you to join them in a celebration of active, vibrant resistance to war on that day.

Now it’s your turn to hit the emergency stop button!

Immediately after their court appearance, the Bonhoeffer Peace Collective will invite you to join them in returning to the gates of Swan Island, at Queenscliff near Melbourne. There you will be given the opportunity to take a simple act to refuse continued warmaking on the people of Afghanistan by stepping onto the prohibited land (thereby risking arrest), or to participate in a peaceful, nonarrestable demonstration at the gate.

We will ensure that, as much as possible, people in both arrestable and nonarrestable positions are well informed and supported throughout the process.

So this is an invitation for you to consider being involved in these acts of nonviolent resistance to war. The exact date of the court appearance/demonstration will be confirmed on Wednesday 12th of May. If you could indicate your interest in being involved as soon as possible (smoyle[at]gmail.com), that would help us plan numbers, and set up communication and any necessary support. And of course please pass this on to anyone else you know who might be interested.

With thanks for all you do to make this world a more compassionate place,

Simon Moyle on behalf of Jacob Bolton, Jessica Morrison, Simon Reeves and the rest of the Bonhoeffer Peace Collective.

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

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