NEWS + EVENTS

REFUGEE WEEK 2009 - June 14-20

In 2009, Refugee Week will be celebrated from Sunday, June 14 to Saturday, June 20, to coincide with World Refugee Day (June 20). For information about Refugee Week, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2008 Sierra Unite Inc. Drive
Make a difference in the life of a Sierra Leonean by donating goods to be shipped to schools, colleges, polytechnics and IDP camps in Sierra Leone.
For more information click here and for a specific list of what is needed please click here

Sunday 20 July - Melbourne
Free concert- MIX IT UP
Be part of a musical revolution on Sunday July 20th as contemporary and traditional African, Pacific, West Papuan and Indigenous cultures come together.
Venue: The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, 100 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Time: 5pm
For more information visit: www.theartscentre.com.au

Wednesday, 23rd July - Melbourne
Public lecture presented by Monash University "A journey into Zimbabwe: Defining moments in a period of change".
Speaker Dominik Vukovic, will speak about his experiences in Zimbabwe whilst reporting on the 2008 March elections and present visual footage to provide a deeper insight into the current challenges facing the country and its people.Kindly rsvp to castan.centre@law.monash.edu.au or tel 9905 3327.
Venue: Campus Centre Cinema, Building 10, Monash University, Clayton Campus
Time: 1 to 2 pm
RSVP:email: castan.centre@law.monash.edu.au; or phone: 9905 3327
All Welcome

Friday 1 August and Saturday 2 August- Launceston
University of Tasmania Conference
The topic of the conference is 'Social Inclusion and Exclusion of Culturally Diverse Communities: Strategies and Experiences'. The aim of this conference is to bring together migrant and refugee communities, service providers, State and Federal Government agencies, community groups, education providers, employers, unions, and academics to explore this issue.
For more information click here
Or contact Jade Hallam or Matthew Hingston on +61 3 6324 3304 or 6226 1880 or email Jade.Hallam@utas.edu.au or Matthew.Hingston@utas.edu.au

Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 August- Townsville, QLD
International Unity in Diversity Conference
Early Bird booking closes by June 30.
For further details contact: Ika Tewu, Office of Cultural Fest 08, International Unity in Diversity Conference, Phone (07) 4772 4800, Fax (07) 4772 1840 unityindiversityconference@bigpond.com and http://www.culturalfest.org/unityindirversityconference.htm

Friday 3 October- Melbourne
2008 Bill of Rights Conference
Venue: Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, University Square,185 Pelham St, Carlton
Time: 9am-5pm
Cost: Registration fee $150 ($75 concession)
Registration closes 26 September
For a registration form and more information click here

11-13th November- Melbourne
Making Links 2008
Forum for the not-for-profit and community sector to showcase their work and to explore current and emerging new media and information and communications technology.
For more information click here

26-28 November- Melbourne
"Building a Common Future - Africa and Australasia."
Call for Papers: Submissions due 28th July
African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific 31st Conference.
Venue: Monash University Clayton Campus, Melbourne Australia
For more information click here.

December 10-14, 2008 -NYC
2008 Humanitarian Media Foundation International Film/Media Festival & Conference
Call for papers: Submissions due 1st August
The 2008 Festival & Conference incorporates three different areas, the Film Festival, Art & Photographic Exhibition, and the Humanitarian Film/Media Conference. A substantive and cohesive program is being formed which draws elements from each of these areas. For more information email pr@humanitarianmedia.org

OTHER NEWS AND EVENTS

Community Relations Commission
The Community Relations Commission is developing a Community Resource List of respected community members in consultation with the NSW Police Force and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
The Commission is calling for volunteers and is currently seeking applications from interested community members to be part of this important new initiative.
Applications close on 30 JUNE 2008. Click for more information or application form.

Counselling Support Line for Burmese Community
In response to the recent disaster in Burma (Myanmar) the Transcultural Mental Health Centre has re-activated the 24 hour counselling support lines as of 9 May 2008.
The hotline is available to provide support for members of the Burmese community living in NSW who may be affected by the natural disaster.
The Service will operate a free seven day 24 hour on-call roster to provide psychological and emotional support to people who have lost loved ones and suffered devastation in the recent cyclone in Burma (Myanmar).
The service is able to provide community support initiatives if required in consultation with the Burmese community.

African Pregnancy DVD - free copy available now
As a result of a collaborative project of SWAHS, NSW Refugee Health Service, Multicultural Health Communications Service, Auburn and Blacktown Migrant Resource Centres and South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service, a DVD in Somali, Dinka and Arabic was developed to inform and encourage women to present early for antenatal care and make full use of services offered by antenatal clinics.
This resource aims to improve antenatal health and subsequent birth outcomes of women and their babies from small and emerging African communities.
To download media release click here. To order a free copy of the DVD, please contact Monique Wakefield on (02) 9840 3376 or
Monique.wakefield@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Adelaide: Settling In - with the Australian Refugee Association
A radio program that connects people, events and campaigns in support of refugees and asylum seekers.
Every Wednesday night from 6-7pm (Adelaide time) On Radio Adelaide 101.5FM or listen online at www.radio.adelaide.edu.au
For more info contact ARA (08) 8354 2951

'Harvesting Hope' - by Christian Ayling
A novella which focuses on the life of a tormented Muslim women. Centred around the life of Yasemin Sandulli, ‘Harvesting Hope’ offers a delicately weaved tale of life, love and loss with an ensemble of poetry and prose to highlight the racial intolerance that exists within Australia today. Book reviewer Kathleen Stewart from Author’s Ally said 'The twists and turns in this thought-provoking young-adult fiction will keep the reader enthralled to the end.' – for the full review click here.
To order this book
Contact Stephen Matthews (Publisher Ginniderra Press)
at stephenmatthews@ginninderrapress.com.au
or PO Box 6753 Chatswood ACT 2615 Australia
You can also order online at
http://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/gplist%20fiction.htm
Or click below to go directly to the order page
http://ww6.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm?userid=82155142&product=Harvesting%20Hope&price=18.00

“Ziba Came on a Boat” is a children’s book based on real events about a refugee child whose family has lost almost everything. This beautiful picture book takes us on her brave journey to make a new life far from home. “Ziba Came on a Boat” is nominated for Picture Book of the Year by The Children’s Book Council of Australia. For more information click here

United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) Website
UNAA Diary Dates, UN observances -- updated regularly.

A Just Australia
Events diary updated regularly.

If you have an event that you would like posted on the website please contact the Webmaster.