Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
14 September 2011
Welcome
Welcome to the September edition of the Australian Human Rights Commission's e-bulletin.
Please forward to friends and colleagues who have an interest in human rights and social justice issues.
In this e-bulletin
- Human Rights Awards deadline now 16 September
- International Day of Older Persons
- New Race Commissioner to deliver keynote address
- Commission scores “A” status
- Last chance to have your say about Constitutional recognition
- See below for more...
Human Rights Awards deadline now 16 September
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| Television Award 2010: Football United: Passport to Hope, North One Television Australia for Foxtel’s Bio. |
The Commission has extended the deadline for nominations to the 2011 Human Rights Awards.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said nominations would now be accepted up until 5pm, Friday 16 September.
Tickets are also now on sale for the Human Rights Awards ceremony.
For nomination forms and to order your tickets go to www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/.
Join the Human Rights Awards electronic mailing list for information at hrawards@humanrights.gov.au
Go to http://humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/nominations.html to nominate now.
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| Send us your stories about older people making active contributions |
International Day of Older Persons
International Day of Older Persons is 1 October and the Commission is calling for people to send in short stories about older people making active contributions to their communities, families or clubs.
If you have a picture and 300 words profiling an older person you know, please send them in to us.
It might be about your local lollypop person who keeps kids safe at school crossings, a volunteer at the local library or museum, a hospital visitor or an older life saver.
The Commission will post the best stories on our website. The first stories will appear by 26 September.
Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan said the Commission wants to have a range of inspirational stories ready in time for International Day of Older Persons.
She said it is just a start to the Commission’s plan for breaking down age prejudice in the community.
Send your stories and photos to: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/age/send-us-your-story.html
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| Dr Helen Szoke - Race Discrimination Commissioner |
New Race Commissioner to deliver keynote address
New Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke is set to deliver the keynote address at the upcoming International Year for People of African Decent conference in Sydney on 30 September.
The national conference, “People of African Descent: Recognition, Social Inclusion and Capacity Building” is being held at the Sebel Hotel in Parramatta.
The conference is open to all government agencies, service providers, academics and the general community.
E-mail info@africanwomenaustralia.org for further information or visit www.africanwomenaustralia.org
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| Flag of the United Nations |
Commission scores “A” status
The Commission has been re-accredited as an “A status’ national human rights institution by the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said the re-accreditation means that the Commission is recognised as meeting the Paris Principles for the operation of independent and effective national commissions.
In re-accrediting the Commission, the accreditation sub-committee of the ICC made recommendations to the Australian Government about the Commission’s limited mandate in protecting economic, social and cultural rights and the impact of the Government’s efficiency dividend on the Commission’s financial base.
The report on the Commission’s accreditation can be found at http://nhri.ohchr.org/EN/WhoWeAre/News/Pages/News.aspx
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| You Me Unity logo |
Last chance to have your say about Constitutional recognition
The deadline is looming for the opportunity to have your say on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.
The Expert Panel established by the government to manage consultations around this history making experience will accept submissions from the public up until 5pm on 30 September.
Have your say before time runs out – go to http://www.youmeunity.org.au/have-your-say
Recent media releases
- UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be fully implemented (13 September 2011)
- Ambassadorial appointment a plus for gender equality (13 September 2011)
- Government should not revive Malaysian agreement (12 September 2011)
Recent submissions
- Information concerning Australia and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
Recent Podcasts
Episode 17 2011- (5 September) - Human Rights Awards winner - Jack Manning Bancroft
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes is joined by last year’s winner of the prestigious Young People’s Human Rights Medal, Jack Manning Bancroft. Jack talks about being nominated for the medal and the positive implications it has had in his work.
Episode 16 2011- (22 August) - The National Disability Insurance Scheme - Dr Rhonda Galbally AO
Commissioner Innes is joined by Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, Chair of the National People with Disability and Carers Council, to discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
Get involved - upcoming events
- 19 September: Justice Reinvestment - A conversation with Mick Gooda
- 21 September: International Day of Peace
- 22 September:Diversity Debate
- 27 September: Deadly Awards
For the latest media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, go to the media centre on the Commission’s website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/
