A Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Forum
Current Status Fact Sheet
Forum Goal
That the humanity of Australian refugees’ lives is understood and their considerable contribution to Australian society appreciated.
Invitees
MC: Adam Searle, MLC, barrister, former Blue Mountains Mayor and with a track record as a fair, firm and impartial chair.
Welcome to the Country
David King from the Gundungurra indigenous people. David will also give his view on the refugee issue.
Panel
Professor Kevin Dunn
Professor Kevin Dunn, University of Western Sydney. Kevin is a professor of Geography and Human Studies. His areas of research include immigration and settlement, geographies of racism, and local government and multiculturalism.
Dr Sanjugta Vas Dev
Doctor Sanjugta Vas Dev, Former Researcher for the University of Adelaide. Sanjugta was a key researcher working on Professor Graeme Hugo’s 2011 report for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship entitled “A Significant Contribution: The Economic, Social and Civic Contributions of First and Second Generation Humanitarian Entrants.”
Cyril O’Connor
Cyril O’Connor, manager House of Welcome(HoW) . The HoW is a project of the Catholic Franciscan Friars. HoW supports asylum seekers in the community by providing transitional housing, family support, emergency assistance and much more. HoW works to empower its clients, so that they can participate in local community activities with a sense of pride and dignity.
Professor Glenda Sluga
Professor Glenda Sluga (International History, Sydney University), Glenda is a second generation humanitarian entrant Her research areas include the histories of Australian immigration, human rights, peacemaking and gender politics. She is a member of the Australian Academy of Humanities.
Eh Say Aung Eh Say is a Karen refugee who came to Australia in 2007 via the official humanitarian program. Prior to his arrival he spent ten years in Them Hin Refugee Camp on the Thai Burma border. He is now working in Sydney. Eh Say will talk about his journey and his new life in Australia.
Entertainment
The Mudlarks, the popular Blue Mountains based all women choir, will perform contemporary, folk and traditional songs from their acappella harmonies repertoire.
WHEN and WHERE
Date: 12 November 2011, Time: 2:00 pm to 4.00 pm
Admission: $5.00
Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, Lawson. The centre is a 5 minute walk from Lawson railway station.
Target Audience
Audience listening intently to the discusion.
- Anyone who cares about their fellow human beings
- Anyone willing to learn from experienced experts in the field about what it’s like to be an asylum seeker and how a little bit of help goes a long way
- Anyone who is prepared to put aside their politics for a few hours
Major Themes
- Refugee life stories
- The significant contribution of first and second generation humanitarian entrants
- The role of organisations like the House of Welcome and the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group in giving refugees a starting helping hand
- Expert and dispassionate views on the refugee issue
- Educating society on refugees and avoiding preaching to the converted
- The need to change the parameters of the refugee debate
- The need to accentuate the positive to balance the negativity surrounding the refugee issue
- What role racism plays in the negative sentiment towards refugees
For more information contact:
- Ilan Salbe 0408 258 984, isalbe@bigpond.com or
- Marie Standen 4751-2120
Click here to go to the diary entry, which includes a map.
Download the Forum Fact Sheet (pdf)
