Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

A bulletin of news, information and invitation to action on current issues of social justice for members of the Edmund Rice Network

28 January 2013

INVASION DAY OR AUSTRALIA DAY? 

Australia celebrated its national holiday on Jan 26th, the date on which the first permanent European settlers arrived at Sydney cove. Some have questioned the suitability of this day if Australia's national day is to be fully inclusive.

Indigenous Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them and their culture, and rather than being a day for celebration it is a day of mourning as the date marks the beginning of their dispossession and the destruction of their culture.

Whilst the Australian government has given a commitment to 'closing the gap' in life expectancy, infant mortality and deaths from preventable diseases that exists between indigenous and other Australians, the 'Close the Gap' campaign to improve indigenous health is ongoing.

In the meantime the campaign to update Australia's constitution to recognise both Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is continuing with the government currently considering a set of recommendations to be put to the Australian people at a referendum.

# posted by Unknown @ 11:51 pm

About this site

This blogsite had its origin as a means of linking students from Christian Brothers Schools in Victoria, Australia who attended the Social Justice days I organised or who participated in school retreats I helped facilitate.

It arose from a belief that as well as charity, advocacy for human rights can also be a compassionate response for those who experience injustice and deprivation. In other words we can address root causes rather than just symptoms.

After moving to Geneva to take up a position with Edmund Rice International (ERI) I decided to maintain the bulletin with its expanded mailing list but to give it an added focus linking it with the work of ERI

Brian Bond cfc

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