Past Events
You are invited to a Panel Discussion:"Towards a ban on cluster bombs"When: Friday 15 February 2008 5:15pm for 5:30pm - 7:00pm (followed by refreshments) Where: The Theatrette, NSW Parliament House Macquarie Street, Sydney Hosted by: The Hon Linda Burney MP RSVP before noon on Thursday 14 February to amiddleton@austcare.org.au, or call (02) 9565 9111. |
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Following the failure of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) to agree to urgent action to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions in November 2006, the Norwegian government announced its intention to establish a new international process to develop a treaty to ban cluster bombs. Participants in the process cover the five world regions and include 19 producer states, 7 states that have used cluster munitions, 34 stockpilers, and representatives from 11 states affected by the weapons. There are also 20 states not party to the CCW participating in the Oslo process making it a more open and globally representative forum for addressing this issue.
With the next meetings scheduled for Wellington, from 18 - 22 February 2008 and Dublin in 19-30 May 2008, it is crucial that the international community works together to address the severe humanitarian implications that cluster munitions continue pose to civilians in over 20 countries.
PurposeTo promote public debate of and raise public awareness of the Oslo Process to ban cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm by:- Exploring policy options for governments in light of the formulation of a new international disarmament treaty;- Highlighting key challenges to be faced in the coming months.This is the first major disarmament issue to be faced by the new Labor Government. |
This is the first Cluster Munition Coalition Australia (CMCA) public event since its formation on 16 January 2008.
Speakers include:
Mr Lou Maresca works in the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva. His primary areas of work are the prohibitions and restrictions on the use of weapons under international humanitarian law and other international rules governing the conduct of hostilities. He is currently involved on behalf of ICRC in the Oslo Process negotiations.
Mr Rae McGrath is the International Spokesperson on Cluster Munitions for Handicap International Network a founding member of the international civil society group the Cluster Munition Coalition and has extensive field experience in unexploded ordnance clearance.
Mr Archie Law is the deputy chief executive officer of Sydney-based development agency Austcare. He is a post-conflict specialist with extensive experience working for the United Nations including in Iraq (2002-2003), Mines Advisory Group in Cambodia (1998-2002), and World Vision Australia's Emergency Relief Unit(1995-1998).
Ms Sara Sekkenes is Program Advisor for Mine Action at UNDP and Deputy Head of the Conflict Team at UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. Sara previously acted as Policy Advisor at Norwegian Peoples' Aid, where she was Co-Chair for the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Awareness and Related Technologies of the Mine Ban Convention. Sara has managed Mine Action Programs in Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Mozambique.
Human Rights Arts & Film Festival
Ian Provest's Welcome exhibition, featuring photographs and design inspired by the people of East Timor, opened in Melbourne on 3 October. Ian travelled to East Timor with Austcare CEO Michael Smith in 2005 and was struck by the spirit and culture of the local people. Ian's TAFE students have worked with him to create an extraordinary and inspiring range of works, including a range of specially-designed Austcare posters. Don't miss them!
PROGRAM
• LAUNCH Thurs Dec 6th 07, The Chauvel, Paddington Sydney. 6:30 -8:30pm
350pax, an evening of short films, speakers, action hubs and entertainment with a feature film likely to screen immediately after the launch.
• FESTIVAL 29th Dec - 1st Jan 07/08
Approx 10,000pax, in a dedicated festival tent, lined with beanbags and cushions, patrons will be able to view the films and learn more about their content through action hubs.
• SISTER EVENTS:
o Melbourne: Nov 26th - Dec 2nd 07, RMIT Capitol Theatre
o Perth: Nov 9th - Nov 10th, Film and Television
For more information, visit www.hraff.org.au
'Welcome' in Melbourne
Ian Provest's Welcome exhibition, featuring photographs and design inspired by the people of East Timor, opened in Melbourne on 3 October. Ian travelled to East Timor with Austcare CEO Michael Smith in 2005 and was struck by the spirit and culture of the local people. Ian's TAFE students have worked with him to create an extraordinary and inspiring range of works, including a range of specially-designed Austcare posters. Don't miss them!
Sofitel Hotel, 35th Floor Atrium,
25 Collins St, Melbourne 3000
3 October 2007 - 4 January 2008
www.welcometotimor.org
www.ianprovest.com.au
Bomb Harvest-The Film
Directed by Kim Mordaunt and produced by Sylvia Wilczynski
Over 35 years ago, during the Vietnam War, American bombs rained down on Laos in the 'Secret War', leaving it the most bombed country in history. The deadly legacy of this destruction continues, with the country still scattered with unexploded ordnance.
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Standing Ovation at Sydney Film Festival; |
"Jaw-dropping" "….It'll make your blood boil" |
Cinema season starts 18 Oct 2007 at selected cinemas:
Cinema Nova, Carlton, Melbourne (Q & A with filmmakers 18 Oct)
Roseville Cinemas, Sydney
Randwick Ritz, Sydney
Nowra Roxy
Ettalong Cinema Paradiso (Q & A with filmmakers 27 Oct)
Special screenings at:
Cinema Paradiso, Perth 10 & 11 November
Byron Bay Cinemas, 11 November
Further screenings TBA for:
Palace Nova Adelaide
Dendy Cinemas Brisbane
Dendy Cinemas Newtown, Sydney
Byron Bay in Oct-Nov
Visit the website for further screening details:
http://www.bombharvest.com/index.html
Austcare Public Forum
Austcare's Public Forum "40 Years of Australians Caring for the World" was held on October 17 at the Maritime
Museum Theatre in Sydney.
The Forum featured a lively panel discussion on the topic of "Building Human Security: Increasing the Impact of Australian Aid", moderated by Geraldine Doogue. Panelists included: the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs; Bob McMullan MP, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations and International Development Assistance; Martine Letts, Austcare Director and Deputy Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy; and Tony Crawford, Chief Executive DLA Phillips Fox.
ActionAid International's Head of International Emergencies and Conflict Team, Roger Yates, also spoke on "The fight to end poverty: a global perspective". Guests and participants then Stood Up against poverty, joining over 43.7 million people in 127 countries on the day designated by the Make Poverty History campaign as the global day to Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality.
The evening was followed by Austcare's Annual General Meeting 2007.
See the Photos, courtesy Mick Toal, Mick Toal Bureau.
View the 'Year In Review' video on our Anuual Reports Page
City2Surf
This year there was more reason than ever to take part in Australia's largest community event. For the first time in the 37-year history of the event, The Sun-Herald helped runners raise money for charity with a new online fundraising website. People were able to nominate Austcare as their preferred charity, and could create a personalised online fundraising page.
All online fundraisers will received a souvenir 2007 Sun-Herald City2Surf red cap and the top fundraiser won a family holiday to Hawaii courtesy of Surfs Up the movie plus their nominated charity will receive an additional $15,000 donation.
Thanks to every who participated and those who showed their support.
World Refugee Day - Protection Roundtable Forum
On Thursday, June 21st, Austcare coordinated a roundtable discussion on the topic: "Enhancing Security and Protection: Australia's Approach to Internal Displacement and the Responsibility to Protect."
The roundtable, hosted by corporate partners DLA Phillips Fox, explored the global operational and strategic challenges to protection, and aimed to increase understanding of Australia's approach and contribution to international security and protection.
Short presentations were be given by Dennis McNamara, Special Adviser to the Emergency Relief Coordinator and UNHCR; Richard Towle, Regional Representative, UNHCR RO Canberra; and Rosa da Costa, Austcare Geneva Representative.
Papers from the forum will be available here in late July.
Cocktail Reception at The Westin
On Thursday May 17, Austcare held a Cocktail Reception at The Westin, in Sydney, to raise awareness of the current situation surrounding landmines. A trivia contest tested guests on their landmine knowledge.
Corinne Grant (formerly of the Glasshouse and Rove Live) was MC, while guests were entertained by performers George Washingmachine and Swing Patrol.
Austcare would like to thank The Westin and McKenna Bourbon for their support.
Pictured on right: Catherine Gill (AusAID), Corinne Grant, Mike Smith (Austcare CEO) and the Hon Greg Hunt (the Australian Government's Special Representative for Mine Action).
Martin Place
On April 4, 2007 Austcare launched Landmine Action Week by taking over Martin Place. Michael Milton (Australia's fastest skier) challenged Shaun Boyle (Australia's fastest Skeleton Racer) and the Hon Greg Hunt, (the Australian Government's Special Representative on Mine Action) to compete in an obstacle course, along with corporate teams and school groups. Bands and dancers entertained the public, and 'deminers' demonstrated their work.
AGM and Public Forum 2006
On November 22 2006, the Board members and staff of Austcare welcomed more than 170 members of the public and community to a Public Forum at NSW Parliament House. The forum was hosted by the Hon. Meredith Burgmann MLC, and the Keynote Speaker was Ms. Janelle Saffin, primary advisor to Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The forum provided highlights of Austcare's work in rebuilding livelihoods and launched Austcare's new vibrant look.
The Public Forum was followed by Austcare's Annual General Meeting 2006. The Austcare Annual Report for 2005-2006 can be viewed by clicking here: Annual Report 2005 - 2006.
'A Hero's Journey' - Xanana Gusmao tells the story of his Timor Leste
In December 2006, Austcare, in conjunction with Gil Scrine Films, screened this moving documentary about Timor Leste's fight for independence.
In 'A Hero's Journey', Gusmao takes us back to the cloud-enshrouded mountains where he led a bitter guerrilla campaign against Indonesian rule. We see him reuniting with and forgiving a colleague who betrayed him to Indonesian security forces, and and meeting the villager who nursed him back to health while he was hiding underground.
He also cheerfully shows off his presidential "palace" - a bullet-marked wreck of a building - and recites his own poetry. It's a film guaranteed to touch the hardest of hearts.
See the trailer at: www.aherosjourney.info.
More information is included in our media release.
"Welcome" - A photographic journey into East Timor
Before the recent violence in East Timor, acclaimed Australian photographer Ian Provest travelled to the country in late 2005. As part of a World Expeditions group led by Austcare CEO, Mike Smith, Ian volunteered to document Austcare's work and visually record the people, sites and culture of this amazing country.
As part of Anti-Poverty Week, an eye-opening photographic journey was held at The Muse Gallery, Sydney Institute, TAFE NSW in Ultimo, Sydney from 25 September to 18 October 2006.
Dogora Film Screening - June 05
Tuesday 6th June 2006, Austcare and Madman Entertainment presented a film about everyday life in Cambodia - Dogora. Film goers were treated to a stunning musical and visual journey through life in Cambodia. Fund raised went to Austcare's work in Cambodia including integrated Mine Action programs involving mine clearance, agriculture and community development.