Aboriginal Reconciliation
Rod Hagen (rodhagen@netspace.net.au)
29 Sep 1995 00:22:30 GMT
Readers of this newsgroup may be interested in the following social
justice workshop
SONGLINES SERVICES
P.O. BOX 257 Thirroul NSW 2515
e-mail songlines@peg.apc.org
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SOCIAL JUSTICE AND 2000 OLYMPICS.
Veteran Aboriginal rights campaigner Mr Charles Perkins
has just announced that mainstream Australia has five
years to clean up its act in relation to Australia's
indigenous peoples if it is to avoid major disruption and
protest at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Mr Perkins did not speculate on which direction life
might take in Australia after major disruptions to the
2000 Olympic Games. The effect of his statement is to
draw attention to the major life choices which are
entering Australian life at the moment.
He has made a very direct and clear call to mainstream
Australia to make a serious effort, over the remaining
part of the 1990s, to tackle the realities of life for
First Peoples in present day Australia. A major effort
(and not half-hearted measures) is clearly required to
heal the illness which European 'settlement' has
introduced into Australian life.
The issues of social justice for Australia's indigenous
peoples are of central importance for this healing
process to occur.
KEY SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation's recently
released report, "Going Forward - Social Justice for the
First Australians" contains 78 social justice
recommendations. These recommendations, from a Council
which has broad cross-party support, have important
consequences for all Australian people.
The Council's recommendations have been submitted to the
Australian Government for it to consider as part of its
response to the High Court's judgement (Mabo No 2) of
common law recognition of native title. The Government is
yet to act.
The recommendations range from consideration of
Constitutional change and parliamentary representation,
across educational, legal, health, and economic matters
to questions of access to private and public lands.
Developing a real understanding of the scope and range of
the Council's recommendations is necessary for the
informed public debate and climate which accompanies
making Government policy.
This is a matter in which all people, and all Australians
in particular, are stake holders.
SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP
Starting next week (from 2 October), Songlines Services
is conducting an electronic workshop to examine the key
recommendations of the Council's report. Participation
will be via e-mail using a list serv (automatic mailing
list) operated by Pegasus computer networks to circulate
materials and discussion.
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation has agreed to
provide copies of its 'Going Forward' report to people
participating in the workshop.
Satisfied participants will be asked to contribute to a
social justice fund at the end of the two month workshop.
The $10 adminstration fee is optional.
The first topic of the workshop is "Principles of Social
Justice"
For more information contact Bruce Reyburn at e-mail
address songlines@peg.apc.org requesting workshop
information.
JOIN WORKSHOP NOW
To join the workshop now you need to send a simple e-mail
message.
To: majordomo@peg.apc.org
with the Subject: Subscribe
and the message: subscribe reconciliation-l
(Please disable automatic reply devices for the duration
of the course if subscribing to the list.)
We will contact you with further information.
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--
Rod Hagen
Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia
rodhagen@netspace.net.au
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