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A UN OBSERVANCES
UNity, UN AND UNAA CONTACTS
B DIARY DATES
C JOB VACANCIES
D RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIPS, CALLS FOR PAPERS, PROJECTS
E REPORTS
A. UN OBSERVANCES
For your organisation's events to be included in the Unity Supplement, please email brief details to: judycnnn@yahoo.com.au by WEDNESDAY for the best chance of swift inclusion.
Accessible Events a Guide for Organisers, developed by Meeting Events Australia (MEA) and the Australian Human Rights Commission, helps organisers to make their events more accessible to the millions of Australians with a disability. Accessible Events a Guide for Organisers is available through the MEA website at www.meetingsevents.com.au and www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/index.html
SPECIAL OBSERVANCES AND EVENTS
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION EVENTS CALENDAR
The Australian Human Rights Commission has a calendar of upcoming human rights related events and occasions. This is a brief and easy to use guide of what's happening in the world of human rights, gender equality, racial or disability discrimination, equal opportunities in the workplace, racism in sport, age discrimination, human rights education, anti- discrimination laws, etc. It is kept as up-to-date and accurate as possible. Check out the calendar at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/events/index.html
The calendar relies on information from the human rights community, so if you have an appropriate listing, email details to: paffairs@humanrights.gov.au or call 02 9284 9618. AHRC reserves the right to select and edit submissions as seen fit.
AHRC Annual Human Rights Awards: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/index.html
SOME UNITED NATIONS ANNIVERSARIES
FEBRUARY 21 INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
MARCH 8 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
MARCH 21 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF RACISM
MARCH 22 WORLD DAY FOR WATER
MARCH 23 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY
MAY 29 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR UN PEACEKEEPERS
JUNE 5 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
JULY 5 NAIDOC WEEK (National Aborigines & Islanders Day)
JUNE 17 WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT
JUNE 20 WORLD REFUGEE DAY (World Refugee Week June 14/20)
SEPTEMBER 21 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
OCTOBER 1 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS
OCTOBER 1 WORLD HABITAT DAY
OCTOBER 4/10 WORLD SPACE WEEK
OCTOBER 5 WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY
OCTOBER 8 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION
OCTOBER 11/17 ANTI-POVERTY POVERTY WEEK
OCTOBER 16 WORLD FOOD DAY
OCTOBER 17 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY
OCTOBER 22/28 DISARMAMENT WEEK
OCTOBER 25 UNITED NATIONS DAY
NOVEMBER 6 INTERNATIONAL DAY
AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF ENVIRONMENT IN WAR AND ARMED CONFLICT
NOVEMBER 25 INTERNATIONAL DAY for Elimination of Violence against Women
DECEMBER 10 UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
DETAILS: UNIC OFFICE: on 61-(0) 2-62738200 or http://www.un.org.au/Page.aspx?category=1&element=16
UNity, UN AND UNAA CONTACTS
UNIC: United Nations Information Centre for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Level 1, 7 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600, Canberra or PO Box 5366, Kingston ACT 2604, and on 61 02 6273 8200; unic.canberra@unic.org;
http://www.un.org.au
The World Federation of United Nations is a global network of people linked through United Nations Associations in over 100 UN member states.
Earlier editions of UNity 2004-05, 2006 and 2007 are on the UNAA website: www.unaa.org.au or email the editor. As a regular reader of UNity, please make sure you notify us if you change your email address by sending your new email address to unity.unaa@gmail.com
UN Daily News (Link only)
Nautilus Institute Australia puts out a free email edition of Austral Peace and Security Network (APSNet) Bulletin, together with policy forum essays and briefing notes. APSNet Bulletin covers national and regional security issues in Australia and the surrounding region. The twice-weekly bulletin includes news and analysis of military affairs, defence, foreign policy and other aspects of hard security; also on climate change, infectious diseases and human security. DETAILS: Nautilus Institute Australia, hosted at RMIT: http://www.globalcollab.org/
NEW: UNDEF NEWSLETTER
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) has launched its first quarterly newsletter to provide more information on its work and support of civil society efforts for democracy around the world. The newsletter will cover the fund, its advisory board, its staff, news from the field, and writing in the field of democracy support.
B. DIARY DATES
MARCH
MARCH 20 Melbourne, Making the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons A Reality. Third Australia-Japan Peace Forum. Speakers: Professor Yuki Tanaka, Hiroshima Peace Institute, and former MAPW President Associate Professor Tilman Ruff. Organised by Japanese for Peace, Melbourne City Conference Centre, Swanston St (opposite library): www.jfp.org.au MARCH 24/25 Darwin. Desert Knowledge (CRC-REP):
MARCH 25 Sydney, MAPW: peace and conflict briefings leading up to July Peace Research Conference, 5.30-6.30 pm at Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Mackie Building (K01), Sydney University.
MARCH 28 Melbourne Palm Sunday Peace March, Victorian MAPW Branch at State Library for silent march through city and focus on the war in Afghanistan.
APRIL
APRIL 12 Melbourne, Victorian Branch Dinner Meeting: Speakers on lead-up to May nuclear Non Proliferation treaty meeting in New York.
APRIL 13 Melbourne, Victorian Branch Dinner Meeting: The Npt: Speakers on the crucial nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty meeting: May, in New York.
APRIL 20 Sydney, Mapw Fundraising Viewing: Goya, The Disasters Of War: series of prints from Rex Irwin Gallery; special viewing to raise funds for MAPW. DETAILS: www.rexirwin.com/artists/exhibitions/2010/goya/goya_2010.html
APRIL 20/21 Adelaide Desert Knowledge (CRC-REP):
MAY
MAY 4/7 Melbourne: Non-adversarial Justice: Implications for the Legal System and Society conference. DETAILS: aija@law.monash.edu.au (Papers by Feb 1 2010).
MAY 22 Adelaide, Piano Concert: Dr Robert Schmidli, Endocrinologist- MAPW- Canberra, will play at the Immanuel College Chapel.
MAY 25/26 Sydney Desert Knowledge (CRC-REP):
MAY 26/28 Pathfinders 2010: The Innovators Conference, Alice Springs. Theme:
Challenge & Change – Sourcing Evidence to Tackle the Real Issues.
MAY/JUNE Kalgoorlie, WA Desert Knowledge (CRC-REP):
AUGUST
AUGUST 13 2010 The UNAA National Conference is scheduled to open on August 13 at NSW Parliamentary Theatrette, Sydney, with the theme, State of the World post Copenhagen. UNAA National President Robert Hill will speak on aspects of climate change, followed by reviews of current topics, such as the Millennium Development Goals. The Federal Council meeting will held on August 14; location to be decided. Provision for workshops/events on topics of particular interest will be set for August 12. DETAILS: Peter Airey: office@unaansw.org.au
C. JOB VACANCIES
JOBS AND VACANCIES - AND WHERE TO FIND MORE:
MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION INC. VOLUNTEER SERVICES
512 Stanley Street, South Brisbane Q 4101.Ph (07) 333 75428; fax on 07 3337 5444' email: lorrainea@mdane.org.au; MDA Reception on 07 3337 5400: http://www.unaids.org/en/Careers/Professionalvacancies/default.asp
RECRUITMENT AGENCY ESTABLISHED FOR NGOS
An international recruitment agency has been set up to respond to the globalisation of non-governmental organisations. Global Charity Jobs aims to provide web-based recruitment solutions within the not-for-profit sector for charities, foundations, higher education institutes, the cultural sector and United Nations agencies. The agency is designed to help those looking to fill senior posts in leadership, development, fundraising, finance, administration, marketing, human resources, new media, communications, campaigning and advocacy.
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Vacancies available:
http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_csd16.shtml
UNAIDS POOL VACANCY NOTICES
This kind of pool recruitment process will be started twice a year in March and October, during that time the vacancy will stay open for applications. A UN system Personal History Form (electronic copy available on UNAIDS website: www.unaids.org or a comprehensive vitae should be addressed to: Human Resources Management: hrm@unaids.org or UNAIDS 20, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland or fax on +41 22 791 4784.
External Vacancies: (Note: Internal UNAIDS staff are welcome to apply)
UN + Officer, P3
Closing date: March 22
External Vacancy: (Note: Internal UNAIDS staff are welcome to apply)
Executive Officer, P4
Closing date: March 26
Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser, Kazakhstan , P4
Closing date: March 26
Partnership Advisor, Partnerships & Relations, P4
Closing date: April 2
OTHER VACANCIES
ACTION AID FOR BLOGGERS
ActionAid Australia’s Project TOTO (The Overseas Training Operation) seeks an Australia blogger to go overseas in an effort to shine a light on the causes of poverty. The anti-poverty agency, with operations in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, in time plans to send up to 10 bloggers to its program countries to set up outreach blog posts.
Setting up blog outposts involves training locals to use social media tools, such as Twitter and blogs, as well as supplying technical equipment, cameras and lap tops, etc. The plan is for each blog outpost to provide a window into the realities of poverty and injustice in that country, region or village.
AUSTRALIAN YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Become a participant or Australian Partner Organisation for the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program.
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program places young Australians between 18 and 30 on short- term assignments (3-12 months) in developing countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. AYADs exchange skills and knowledge with local counterparts to strengthen the capacity of overseas host organisations.
AYADs also develop linkages and networks between partner organisations in Australia and those in developing countries, and gain overseas professional experience. A distinctive feature of the AYAD Program is its relationship with Australian Partner Organisations (APOs). An APO is any organisation that develops an assignment in partnership with an organisation in the Asia Pacific region.
The program is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and provides in-country support and living and assignment support allowances to successful applicants during their period overseas.
With program expansion, 400 AYADs will be mobilised each year. The next Intake will focus primarily on trades based and Vocational Education and Training (VET) assignments. Some of the exciting assignments available in past Intakes have been:
Vocational Teacher Trainer, Indonesia - Information Technology Assistant, Tonga - Community Ecotourism Officer, Cambodia - Construction Assistant, Vietnam - Chef/Hospitality Trainer, Samoa - Sailing Instructor, Vanuatu - Offset Printing Trainer, Philippines - Small Business Skills Technical Advisor, East Timor - Human Resources and Administration Advisor, Solomon Islands - Technical Advisor (Construction Trades), Laos.
For further information about the AYAD Program and/or to interview a returned Australian youth ambassador, please contact Ruth Daugalis, Marketing and Alumni Project Coordinator at: rdaugalis@austraining.com.au or 1800 225 592.
For more information on opportunities available to APOs: Ruth Daugalis Project Coordinator Alumni & Marketing AYAD Program Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program, Level 2, 81 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia on 08 8232 3050; Freecall (Australia) 1800 225 592; www.ausaid.gov.au/youtham
VOLUNTEERING FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FROM AUSTRALIA
VIDA is Australia's latest international volunteer program. VIDA places skilled Australian volunteers in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA volunteers work with local counterparts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in the communities in which they work through skills exchange, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
VIDA is funded by the Australian Government's International Aid Agency, AusAID, as part of the Australian Volunteer Program. A range of assignments are available across sectors that include education, environment, governance, health, infrastructure, rural development and trades.
VIDA is currently sending volunteers to PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It is also concerned with sending volunteers to Burma, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Assignments can be one month to three years in length.
WHO CAN BECOME A VIDA VOLUNTEER?
Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18+ are eligible to apply. Register your interest online and apply for a specific volunteer assignment advertised at www.vidavolunteers.com.au.
Financial assistance including airfares, living and accommodation allowances, comprehensive insurance, in-country support and pre-departure training are provided to successful applicants.
VIDA VOLUNTEERS: www.vidavolunteers.com.au Free call 1800 995 536.
AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS VACANCIES
Australian Volunteers is recruiting skilled professionals from the following sectors: health, education, IT, Finance, Agriculture, Environment and Community Development.
VACANCIES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (ICSC)
ICSC is an independent expert body established by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mandate is to regulate and coordinate the conditions of service of staff in the United Nations common system (see below), while promoting and maintaining high standards in the international civil service. http://icsc.un.org/vab/index.htm.
For all UN positions vacant: http://icsc.un.org/joblinks.asp
Alternative sites for employment opportunities with the United Nations and its field operations and list of professional posts vacancies in the International Civil Service, job classification, salary scales and daily subsistence allowances,
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO)
OBJECTIVES :
International Labour Organisation Internships with the ILO provide an opportunity for selected undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students who are pursuing a course of study or work in fields related to the ILO's mandate and activities to:
(a) increase their understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving them directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies;
(b) gain practical work experience related to their academic background or future work in the Interns gain an understanding of how the ILO operates and enhance their educational experience by field related to ILO's mission.
working under the supervision of a senior staff member..
The backgrounds of interns are matched with the needs of the office. Interns provide the office with the assistance of young talent for a limited period and offer the most recent thinking and research experience in their area of academic study.
ELIGIBILITY
In order to be considered for an internship at the ILO, applicants should meet the following requirements and qualifications:
Education:
Applicants should have completed graduate and/or postgraduate studies or be in the final year of undergraduate studies;
Applicants should hold degrees in disciplines considered relevant to the ILO's work, e.g. international law, economics, industrial relations, political science, and the social sciences.
Nationality: Applicants can be of any nationality.
Languages: Applicants should have a working (both oral and written) knowledge of at least one of the ILO's official languages (English, French or Spanish).Skills: Applicants should be able to adapt to an international, multicultural, multilingual environment; Good communication skills; Ability to work fairly independently or as part of a team; Initiative and flexibility;
Other: Any past work experience and knowledge of IT-related work would be an advantage; Close relatives of a serving ILO official are not eligible to apply.
DURATION
The length of an internship should not normally be less than three months nor exceed six months.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Where an intern is not supported by an institution (university, government or otherwise), a stipend to cover basic subsistence costs wIll be paid. In ILO field locations, the amount of the stipend to be paid to interns will be established in line with other similar organisations engaging interns at local level and taking account of local circumstances.
CONDITIONS OF INTERNSHIPS The cost of travel, insurance and accommodation, as well as living expenses, are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for obtaining the necessary passport and visa or other documents for entering Switzerland or any other advertised duty station.
Interns are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
ILO does not accept responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship.
Interns are responsible for procuring and maintaining their own insurance coverage for illness and accidents while they are working at the ILO and a copy of documentation attesting to such insurance coverage should be provided to HRD by each intern on their first day of internship.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The selection of candidates for internships is completely decentralized to individual departments. The ILO does not have specific vacancies for interns. There is no list of internship vacancies. Internships are awarded by individual departments based on their needs and whether or not a candidate's profile meets those needs.
For an internship in an ILO field offices namely, BELGIUM,UNITED KINGDOM,JAMAICA,UNITED STATES,UAE,SOUTH AFRICA.
Interested students should write via EMAIL ONLY to the :
Ad Hoc Internship Coordinator, Human Resources Operations Section, Human Resources Management Service, International Labour Organization, Geneva, enclosing:
Applications (in English) should include the following:
a) A covering letter stating the grounds for their application;
b) Recent curriculum vitae (CV);
c) Copies of their university degrees or a list of courses attended or attending;
d) Abstracts of academic papers they have written if any.
No phone calls, please. Interested candidates should submit applications before 15 May,2009.Early applicants stand a better opportunity of serving. After careful consideration of all documents submitted, only successful candidates will be notified of their selection. Electronic applications to the following email address: internship@ilo-online.net
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACFID publishes details of vacancies in the NGO area. Details are available on ACFID WEBSITES: http://www.acfid.asn.au/ or on 02 6285 1816.
SPECTRUM EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CO-OPERATIVE
Spectrum is a largely self funded, not for profit organisation, committed to a Vision of “an economic and social environment which creates professional training and fulfilling employment opportunities for all”.
Originally established as a labour co-operative in the early 1990s to provide employment opportunities for unemployed people in inner city areas, Spectrum has expanded its scope of operations across metropolitan and suburban Sydney, with offices in Marrickville, Bidwill, Claymore, Campbelltown and Padstow.
As a community-based service, Spectrum's purpose is to alleviate poverty and improve the prosperity of the communities in which we work. We do this by providing training, education and employment opportunities for the unemployed and working with employers, community organisations, government and the unemployed to maximise the available opportunities. Spectrum Employment Services have offices located across Sydney, servicing government and commercial customers.
D. RESEARCH, COURSES, SCHOLARSHIPS, PAPERS, PROJECTS
PEACEKEEPERS’ MEMORIAL PROJECT
On December 19 2008, the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project (APMP) unveiled the design for a peacekeeping memorial to commemorate those Australians who have served their country – some of whom who have made the ultimate sacrifice – on peacekeeping missions around the world. A site has been approved for the new memorial at the southern end of Anzac Parade, Canberra; however, the APMP needs to raise a further $2 million before construction can begin. The APMP hopes to see the memorial completed by September 14 2009 – Australian Peacekeepers’ and Peacemakers’ Day. Those who have served Australia in the ADF, AFP or government organisations on peacekeeping missions can join the APMP to support the construction of the national memorial. A 'Peacekeeper Bear’ helps to raise funds. DETAILS: www.peacekeepingmemorial.org.au,
ASSISTANCE FOR REFUGEE WOMEN GRADUATES
The International Federation of University Women offers limited financial assistance for women refugees who have mostly or fully completed their university degrees, and who need further training in language or professional practices in order to find employment in their new country.
Small grants are designed to help some already qualified women get established faster in their new environment, so that they can then support their families and get involved to encourage their less fortunate 'sisters'. This assistance is open to refugee graduate women anywhere in the world. The grants are usually around $US1000 and are intended as short-term help for a woman to get a few necessary courses or certification so that she can work as a professional.
The women must have valid refugee status in their new country; and are not available to those who are waiting to be processed or to be sent back to their country of origin. They must have permission to study (and eventually, to work) in their new country of residence, and be legally recognised. Proof of this status is required.
To apply, contact the nearest affiliate of the International Federation of University Women (see
http://www.ifuw.org/nfas/index.shtml for a list of national organisations) for assistance with their application. The affiliate can confirm the applicant's credentials and status, and the appropriateness of the courses or training desired, as well as monitoring her progress, and hopefully providing some moral support and friendship.
The application form for grants is available in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format at: http://www.ifuw.org/hegg-hoffet/grant.htm It should be accompanied by the appropriate documentation, if available, or else letters of recommendation and validation of expertise from local educational authorities.
IFUW will also contact the local IFUW affiliate to assist in processing the application, so it helps if the applicant has already been in contact with them.
PATENTS: Full-text search across all collections, a database of many countries' patents free PDF downloading, the ability to store, annotate and share documents, and set up alerts: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/search.html
E. REPORTS
ELIMINATING NUCLEAR THREATS
Eliminating nuclear threats is a matter of necessity, not choice, says ICNND November 2009 report. The world’s 23,000 nuclear weapons – many still deployed on high alert – can destroy life on this planet many times over. Eliminating Nuclear Threats: A Practical Agenda for Global Policymakers: Report of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and disarmament. REPORT: http://www.icnnd.org/reference/reports/ent/index.html
2008 ‘THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY’
The 2008 edition of ‘The United Nations Today’
(formerly ‘Basic Facts about the United Nations’) is now available in English
(ISBN 978-92-1-101160-9, Sales No. E.08.I.6, DPI/2480, xviii-369 pages.
DETAILS: https://unp.un.org/details.aspx?pid=17485
Copies of ‘The UN Today’ may be ordered through the website or via email at publications@un.org.
Translations of the publication into French and Spanish planned.
Colloquium Outcomes Re-engaging with the United Nations Report
March 2008. Hosted by Griffith University Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law in conjunction with the United Nations Association of Australia and the Academic Council on the United Nations System. DETAILS: Colloquium Outcomes - Re- engaging with the UN.pdf (149KB); info@envirobusiness.org.
INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP
Crisis Group Weekly Update for the week of January 28 2008
SEE other reports in UNity Supplement.
Burma/Myanmar: After the Crackdown
A three-level approach, drawing on the respective strengths of the UN, the country's neighbours and wider international community, to promote change in Burma/Myanmar. (31/1/08).
REPORT: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=5273&l=1
CONTACTS: Andrew Stroehlein (Brussels) 32 2 541 16 35;
Kimberly Abbott (Washington) 1 202 785 1609;
Crisis Group's Media Unit : http://www.crisisgroup.org
Dr Hans Blix, Weapons of Terror
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission report by chairman, Dr Hans Blix, Weapons of Terror: Freeing the World of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Arms. The full text of the Report (PDF format, 227 pages, 3,494Kb) and related materials are available at URL: http://www.wmdcommission.org/.
Amnesty International Report 2006: the state of the world's human rights: www.amnesty.org.au and 02 9217 7620.
State of the World's Mothers 2006 report: www.savethechildren.org.au
Australia's Foreign Wars: Origins, Costs, Future?! at: http://users.cyberone.com.au/ibuckley
Fact sheet on Australia's Foreign Wars: Origins, Costs, Future?! with examples of some key historical developments: Dr Ian Buckley, email: ibuckley@cybermac.com.au
The World Health Report: http://www.who.int/whr/en/
Aid Report of Core Group at AusAID contains 46 recommendations. Core Group's Report: www.ausaid.gov.au
Violence against women: http://www.unfpa.org/swp/swpmain.htm. Chapter 7 states 'Gender-based violence is perhaps the most widespread and socially tolerated of human rights violations. The cost to women, their children, families and communities is a significant obstacle to reducing poverty, achieving gender equality and meeting the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Access Economic report summary: http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/ViolenceAgainstWomen.htm
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Federal Discrimination Law is now available on AustLII: Updated to August 5 2009 including changes made by the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (Cth): http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/HRLRes/2009/1/ www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/FDL.
PROGRAMS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
‘LET'S TALK ABOUT RIGHTS’ TOOLKIT
A toolkit to assist organisations and individuals participate in the National Human Rights Consultation (18/2/09). The toolkit has an introduction, accompanied by information sheets, including:
Human rights and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Human rights and asylum seekers and refugees
Human rights and children and young people
Human rights and counter terrorism laws
Human rights and faith-based communities
Human rights and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
Human rights and housing and homelessness
Human rights and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Human rights and people with a disability
Human rights and older people
Human rights and women and
A Human Rights Act for Australia: commonly asked questions.
TOOLKIT: available at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/letstalkaboutrights/
Printed copies will be available shortly from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
'BRINGING THEM HOME’
The Australian Government fulfilled one of the main recommendations of the commission's report 'Bringing them home: National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families', by issuing an historic apology. The commission has produced resources to help educate young Australians on these the issues, which include:
'Bringing them home' education module (CD Rom)
'Bringing them home' (DVD)
Us Taken-Away Kids' magazine
'Track the History' poster
DETAILS: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/education/curriculum.html#bth
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION PROGRAM The commission’s human rights education program aims to help students develop a critical understanding of human rights and responsibilities, as well as developing the attitudes, behaviours and skills to apply them in everyday life. Resources include:
HR RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS:
MYTHS ABOUT REFUGEES, MIGRANTS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES:
Recently updated education resources include:
'Face the Facts' - teaching resources and worksheets designed to complement the material in the 'Face the Facts' publication, regarding information about prevailing myths about
refugees, migrants and Indigenous peoples.
Let’s talk about rights: National Human Rights Consultation toolkit
The Australian Human Rights Commission has produced a toolkit to assist individuals and organisations participate in the National Human Rights Consultation.
DETAILS: www.humanrights.gov.au/letstalkaboutrights/workshops
AHRC/HREOC REPORTS
Now known as the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and previously the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) 2006-07 Annual Report says HREOC carried out investigation and conciliation of complaints of alleged discrimination in the areas of sex, race, age and disability, as well as breaches. HREOC received 16,606 inquiries, an increase on previous years of over 65%. There were 1,779 complaints, an increase on previous years of over 42%; 94% of matters were finalised within 12 months, a slight improvement on the previous year and 38% were finalised by conciliation - consistent with previous three years.
The annual report also details its major projects, reports and inquiries; HREOC's contribution to policy development and legislative review; human rights promotional and education activities and regional and international activities.
HREOC reports No 38 and 39
HREOC reports 38 & 39 have been tabled in Parliament and are now online.
No 39 - Report of Complaint by Mr Huong Nguyen and Mr Austin Okoye Against the Commonwealth of Australia and GSL (Australia) Pty Ltd (2008)
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/HREOCA_reports/hrc_report_39.pdf
No 38 - Report of a Complaint by Mr Frank Ottaviano against the South Australia Police (2008)
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/HREOCA_reports/hrc_report_38.pdf
About the HREOCA report series:
In addition to receiving complaints of unlawful discrimination, HREOC can inquire into complaints of breaches of human rights and workplace discrimination under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (HREOCA). When HREOC receives a complaint of a breach of Human Rights or workplace discrimination, HREOC will attempt to resolve the complaint through conciliation.
If conciliation is unsuccessful or inappropriate and HREOC finds that there has been a breach of human rights or workplace discrimination has occurred - then HREOC can prepare a report of the complaint, including recommendations for action, for the Attorney General. The report must be tabled in Parliament.
Previous reports are available at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/HREOCA_reports/index.html
Human Rights Law Bulletin 22
HREOC produces the Human Rights Law Bulletin three to four times a year. The bulletin provides a commentary on developments relevant to HREOC's work in the following areas of law: discrimination;
privacy; industrial; immigration; International human rights; and general legal developments gleaned from recent decisions of the Federal Court or High Court.
The bulletin aims to promote discussion about the issues raised in it and to provide a reference point for further research. The Law Bulletin Volume 22 from December to March 2008: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/bulletins/volume_22.html
Productivity Commission's Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report: http://www.pc.gov.au or (03) 9653 2244.
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS MAP: Charting Progress toward a Better World
Data and Research MDGs:
The World Bank's Data Group and National Geographic are in a partnership to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by producing and disseminating a large-format, full-colour wall map highlighting progress toward the goals.
AUDIOVISUAL LIBRARY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW LAUNCHED
The UN Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) has launched the ‘Audiovisual Library of
International Law’. The website has three main parts: the Historic Archives; the Lecture
Series; the Research Library.
The Audiovisual Library aims to provide free, scholarly resources to students and practitioners around the world, particularly in regions where there are few resources for the study of international law.
The UN website describes the Audiovisual Library as a unique, multimedia resource which provides the United Nations with the unprecedented capacity to provide high quality international law training and research materials to an unlimited number of recipients on a global level.
The Audiovisual Library consists of three pillars:
(1) the Historic Archives containing documents and audiovisual materials relating to the negotiation and adoption of significant legal instruments under the auspices of the United Nations and related agencies since 1945; (2) the Lecture Series featuring a permanent collection of lectures on virtually every subject of international law given by leading international law scholars and practitioners from different countries and legal systems; and (3) the Research Library providing an on-line international law library with links to treaties, jurisprudence, publications and documents, scholarly writings and research guides. The Audiovisual Library is available to all individuals and institutions around the world free via the Internet.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM: HOW TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) / UNHCHR announced the release of the United Nations Human Rights System: How to Make it Work for you. The handbook offers basic and practical information for understanding how the
UN human rights system works.
This United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) has thanked
the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their collaboration in the
production of the Reader.
Text from this publication may be reproduced unaltered without authorisation on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to NGLS, Palais des Nations, 1211