Taking Action
 

"Every boy and girl around the world has a right to expect that we will do all we can to ensure that they will enjoy their right to an education"

Kofi Annan
Secretary-General of the United Nations

LIFESTYLE CHOICES
Image

Support Indigenous Literacy Day

On Wednesday September 3, 2008 all Australians are invited to participate in Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD), which aims to help raise urgently needed funds to address the literacy crisis in remote Indigenous communities. You can participate by: purchasing books from participating book sellers; raising awareness; or participating in the Readers Quest and much more. Be involved and you could go into the draw to win a visit from the fabulous Children's Author and ILP ambassador Andy Griffiths.

For more information click here
Image

Support our partners: Rate this video clip!

A dynamic new music video film clip from Caritas Australia partners Djilpin Arts, is eligible for the 2008 Inside Film Awards, the people's choice awards for Australian films. 

This film clip, shot by 18 year old Amos Urban on location in Katherine and Sydney, is a dynamic fusion of traditional culture with a contemporary back drop. The film is part of a continuing program in digital video training for disenfranchised youth in the remote community of Beswick/Wugularr. Together with local resident and actor/musician Tom E. Lewis and Melbourne filmmaker Julia Morris, young people have been mentored in the process of film making, working on a variety of video projects over the past four years.

You can rate this music video online at www.ifawards.com

To view the clip click here

Scoring closes on the 12th of September 2008, so make sure you make your opinion count.
  
CDs and DVDs from Djilpin Arts are also available online at www.skinnyfish.com.au
Image

Tell a Friend

Tell your friends and colleagues that you support International Literacy Day and the International Day of Peace and that you take action on issues you're passionate about. Encourage your friends and colleagues to support your efforts by forwarding them this publication.

To do this, use the 'Tell a friend' form at the right hand side of this page.
FAITH

A prayer for children in conflict

This prayer is in solidarity with children all around the world who are victims of regional conflict. Please take a moment for his prayer:

Leader: A voice was heard in Liberia, a mother weeping for her lost son.

All: We own our sorrow for the thousands of boys and girls throughout Africa who have been betrayed by adults, forced to become so called ‘child soldiers'. They are both victims and perpetrators of violence. Let our sorrow link us with those children throughout the world who are betrayed in this way.

Leader: A voice was heard in Rwanda, a grandfather weeping for his grandchildren.
All: We own our sadness for those children orphaned by war, forced to watch their parents die violent deaths. They suffer the violence of war and the violence of loneliness. Let our sadness connect us with those near and far who are in need of compassion, companionship and healing.

Leader: A voice was heard in Sudan, an aunt weeping for her lost family.

All: We own our shame at the plight of children forced to leave family, home, country in their search for peace. Let it remind us of the need to welcome the stranger, those seeking refuge and asylum from countries where rights are abused or which are torn apart by war.

Leader: A voice was heard in Afghanistan, an uncle crying for his nieces and nephews.

All: We own our sadness for the children forced to live in a fearful world. The pain of worrying about the next conflict, and longing for a stable life, are hardest on the children. Let their fear remind us of the need to peacefully and justly end conflicts within this troubled world.

Leader: Merciful God, you forgive our sins and bring us to new life through the power of the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit. May we walk in your ways so that peace becomes a reality among us.

Adapted from Campaign Against Arms Trade Prayer Sheet, "Prayer for Forgiveness for Africa,";

Credit: Education for Justice

www.educationforjustice.org
CAMPAIGN
 

Stand Up!

From 17 to 19 October join with thousands of Australians to take a stand a against poverty by supporting STANDUP - a unique global mobilisation which calls on civil society, schools, businesses and NGOs to band together with the same message - that we must MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. To find out how you can support or be part of this great event

click here

 
© 2004 Caritas and Church Resources