Tuesday, September 04, 2007

What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week 2007

The National Council of Churches in Australia (Christian World Service), the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania and FairWear Victoria are organising a series of events throughout Anti-Poverty Week 2007 called “What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week 2007”. People will be coming together from a range of perspectives - from faith communities, educational institutions, trade unions and community organisations to tackle various issues relating to poverty and social justice. There are also a range of challenges that are set for all participants.

Details of our program:

What’s Fair morning tea – a Christian Perspective - Monday 15th of October - 10-12am

Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Parade (corner of Foote St)., Albert Park.

Join us as we begin the What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week campaign. This will be an opportunity for all Christians to learn about the issues involving Fairtrade and how we can respond in a way of fairness and justice as we purchase products. Try out Fair Trade tea, coffee, herbal tea and chocolate and discover what you and your church can do to support this growing and important movement. This forum features material by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance as part of the Trade Week of Action.

RSVP/Contact: Kilbride (03) 9690 1076 contact@kilbridecentre.come.au

Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving - (with prayers for people in poverty)

Wed. 17th October - 12.45-2.15pm Gryphon Gallery (1888 Building), University of Melbourne, Carlton

Contact: Wes Campbell (Revd Dr), Chaplain, University of Melbourne, Uniting Church in Australia, (03) 8344 6034 / 0431 847 278 / wesleyc@unimelb.edu

What’s fair in the ragtrade?

Thurs 18th October - 6:30-8:30pm. University of Melbourne, Melbourne Law School, University Square, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton 3053

High profile speakers will talk about fair trade and justice for workers in the clothing industry here and overseas. Features a showing of China Blue - shot clandestinely, this is a deep-access account of what both China and the international retailers don't want us to see: how the clothes we buy are actually made.

Contact: FairWear Victoria Coordinator, Liz Thompson, (03) 9251-5270 / Liz.Thompson@victas.uca.org.au

What’s fair in education?

Wednesday, October 17th between 4.20-6.30pm

There will be a 4.20pm welcome at the RMIT University Spiritual Centre, Building 11B. The forum will then be held at RMIT Building 13, (Emily McPherson College), Ethel Osborne Hall.

The forum aims to establish a church presence regarding issues of access and equity and tertiary education; as well as influence public debate through building a community network for this area.

Contact: Justice & International Mission Unit Social Justice Officer Antony McMullen, (03) 9251 5241 / antony.mcmullen@victas.uca.org.au