On the 10-11 November this year, more than 60 people gathered for the Perth Peacemaking Conference to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1. For photos from the event, click here. Below is a statement agreed upon by the members of the Ecumenical Social Justice Roundtable following the Peacemaking Conference. The contents pertain directly to the material presented and discussed at … Continue reading Perth Peacemaking Conference Statement
In the struggle to understand what makes for peace, we often confront the demand for justice, and the struggle for forgiveness. The 19th Annual Hawke Lecture at the University of South Australia was given this year by The Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth on Wednesday 15 June 2016 at the Adelaide Town Hall. The Reverend Canon Mpho A. Tutu is an ordained Episcopal Priest and the founding … Continue reading Where does forgiveness sit?
Here’s a lovely report from WCC associate general secretary Isabel Apawo Phiri about the conversations and solidarity that can be initiated by the simple gesture of wearing black on Thursdays: “I am taking a course for a Certificate of Advanced Studies in modern management for non profit organizations in the Geneva School of Economics and Management at the University of Geneva. On Thursday I came … Continue reading When you wear black on Thursdays
The Uniting Church in Australia is a member of ICAN- the International Campaign to ban nuclear weapons. ICAN, is a campaign coalition consisting of over 440 non-governmental organisations in over 98 countries. You can read Rev Gregor Henderson’s 2008 statement on the stance of the church regarding nuclear weapons here. As Church’s President he said: “We must also commit to dealing with the greatest threat … Continue reading Can we imagine a nuclear weapons free future?
On the 25th of April Australia remembers the ANZACs and their sacrifice at Gallipoli in the First World War. On the 24th of April, one day before ANZAC Day, Armenians remember the martyrs of their nation, victims of a Genocide that was fuelled by political and cultural hatred. Armenians also remember the ANZAC soldiers who saw the injustice that they were suffering and stopped to help them. The … Continue reading Remembering the Armenian Genocide
With Palm Sunday coming up on 20th March this year (2016) I have been reflecting on an icon of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. You can see the image I mean here https://www.flickr.com/photos/monasteryicons/7036525475. One one side there are the crowd of disciples and townspeople, who are not looking very happy, and on the other side are the people of Jerusalem, including a mother with a … Continue reading Following the Prince of Peace?
Violence against women is a human rights violation Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential … Continue reading International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 November
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 November 2015 (White Ribbon Day) Violence against women is a human rights violation Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and … Continue reading
The Uniting Church’s Synod of Western Australia’s Social Justice Board has identified Peace as one of our three major areas of work for the next 3 years from 2014 to 2017. During this period our country will mark the various 100th year commemorations of the First World War. These commemorations cause us to reflect upon Australia’s experience of war and peace, its costs and its … Continue reading Working for peace
Uniting for Peace 