What’s on in Aotearoa/NZ (10/09/15): Action for Refugees tonight

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA

New Zealand says welcome to refugees – #RefugeesWelcomeNZ

Nationwide vigils – Thursday 10 September – 6.00pm

This Thursday thousands of New Zealanders will gather around the country at candlelit vigils where they will have a moment of silence for the innocent lives lost and light candles for the additional lives that could be saved if the government acts immediately to double the refugee quota.

At each event, which are being organised by a number of organisations and community groups, 750 candles will be lit for the lives that could be saved. There will be 60 seconds of silence for the 60 million people displaced right now due to war or persecution.

The announcement by the government on Monday that New Zealand will take in 750 Syrian refugees, 600 under an emergency intake, is a welcome, although overdue step, but doesn’t go far enough in addressing the worst humanitarian crisis in 70 years.

“Amnesty International believes that if the government is serious about addressing this issue and saving lives then they should be asking how much, not how little, we can do to help refugees. Doubling our refugee quota is the least we can do after 28 years without an increase,” said Grant Bayldon Executive Director at Amnesty International.

Despite the global refugee crisis, New Zealand accepts only 750 refugees a year through its quota – a number that has not increased for nearly 30 years and ranks New Zealand 90th in the world when it comes to refugee intake per capita, according to UNHCR.

“More than 15,000 ActionStation members have added their name to the call to double New Zealand’s refugee quota, and thousands plan to attend vigils on Thursday night,” said Marianne Elliott National Director of ActionStation. “Their call is for New Zealand to do our bit for people fleeing war and terror, and their message is that refugees are welcome in New Zealand.”

“It is great to see such spirit from everyday New Zealanders caring about the refugee crisis. We as New Zealanders have an obligation to ensure that people seeking protection are provided not only the immediate but also long-term support that they require. This can only happen with the wider sector coming together,” said Tayyba Khan, CEO of Changemakers Refugee Forum.

For a full listing of events visit http://www.actionstation.org.nz/refugees_welcome

AUCKLAND:
EVENT: NZ is open to Refugees
DATE: Thursday 10 September, 2015
TIME: 6.00pm
LOCATION: War Memorial
The Auckland Domain, Parnell,
Auckland 1010

WELLINGTON:
EVENT: NZ is open to Refugees
DATE: Thursday 10 September, 2015
TIME: 6.00pm
LOCATION: Parliament Building
Molesworth Street, Pipitea,
Wellington 6011

Everything that is tagged with #RefugeesWelcomeNZ will appear on this link:https://nvite.com/refugeeswelcomenz/cd6f/social

September 8-26, Whitespace, 12 Crummer Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland
Art exhibition by Bob Kerr: Bob Kerr is New Zealands leading history painter and the subject matter for this exhibition is Tim Armstrong who was jailed in Lyttelton Prison for sedition in WW1. Later in life he was the Labour MP for Christchurch East.

Thursday, September 9, AUT’s Auckland campus.
Diversity Forum 2015 – “Empathy in the Face of Diversity”. Our keynote speaker is Dr Gill Hicks, a double amputee and survivor of the London bombings, in 2007 she founded the not for profit organisation M.A.D. for Peace, a platform that connects people globally encouraging us all to think of Peace as verb. As well as Gill, AUT Associate Professor Gail Pacheco (Co-Director of the NZ Work Research Institute) and Professor of Diversity Dr Edwina Pio will be presenting research findings on the impact discrimination has on physical and mental wellbeing at work. Other speakers include Race Unity 2015 winner Kimberly De Mello, the Police Commissioner Mike Bush and many others from our communities. A platform to bring together people to share ideas and best practice about positive race relations and cultural diversity, the Diversity Forum is free and we encourage you let people in your networks know about this year’s event. Please click here to find out more: https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/empathy-face-diversity-2015-diversity-forum/

Thursday, September 10, 9am-5pm, Waipapa Marae, University of Auckland, 14 Wynyard St, Auckland
The New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice invites you to the below symposium:
Asylum-Seekers: The New Zealand Experience. This symposium provides an opportunity for legal practitioners, decision and policy-makers, civil society organisations and community members to review how the Immigration Act operates in practice, whether it meets the needs of claimants and New Zealand’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Presentations include the experiences of asylum-seekers; the perspectives of lawyers and ngos who work with them, and those of officials implementing the law and current policies; a review of developments by the Immigration and Protection Tribunal; and an analysis of the economic, social and cultural rights involved. Most significantly it provides an opportunity for focused discussion between those who work with asylum-seekers and those who decide on their status. For more information please visit www.aucklandrefugeecouncil.org We are now on Facebook.(www.facebook.com/ARCI.NZ) If you want to be part of our conversation and growing community, please “friend” us.

Saturday, September 12, 10am to 12pm, Community of St Luke, 130 Remuera Rd, Remuera, Auckland

As governments in the Asia Pacific grapple with solutions, close borders and push back boats, refugees desperate for protection suffer. As the world faces the biggest refugee crisis of our lifetime the need for regional cooperation to improve the protection of refugees has become clear. How realistic is this? What would it involve? Where would we start? And what is New Zealand’s role?
Please join us for a one-off panel event with visiting delegates from the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) as they explore this issue.
Auckland Refugee Council Inc. Tel: 09 378 7434 – PO Box 78 024 Grey Lynn, Auckland 1245 https://www.facebook.com/ARCI.NZ
www.aucklandrefugeecouncil.org

Sunday. September 13, 4:30 pm, St. Heliers Community Centre, 100 St. Heliers Bay Road, Auckland
Film Showing for Amnesty International: Columbia. Cost – $10 suggested donation. Bookings essential. In an unknown Colombia, where the 40-year civil war never ended, the battle is over gold. In the Cauca region, two extraordinary Afro-Colombian women fight to hold onto the gold-rich land that has sustained their community through small-scale mining for centuries. Post-film discussion will be led by Felipe Forero, Columbian human rights lawyer, community worker for the ALAC and member of the Auckland Refugee Council. This is the second in a planned five-part film series called Women, War and Peace, dealing with women’s activism in war-torn countries. Contact: Richard or Jeanette at rebgjfm

Monday, September 14, 5.30pm, Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, Wellington
Max Rashbrooke & Marianne Elliott – Why we need to change the way we talk about poverty and inequality. I would like to invite and advise you that Max Rashbrooke will be joined by Marianne Elliott to discuss the above topic. Max has recently been in the UK and reports that he has returned "buzzing with ideas." What he was looking at there was the question of how we talk about poverty and inequality: why the things we say don’t reach all of the public, and what to do about that. He will discuss ‘Why we need to change the way we talk about poverty and inequality’, or put another way, ‘Poverty and inequality: how do we reach the people who aren’t listening?’ Max will now be joined by Marianne Elliott, co-founder of ActionStation – a movement to facilitate on- and offline collective social action for progressive change. Trained as a human rights lawyer, she worked in Timor-Leste, New Zealand and the Gaza Strip before going to Afghanistan, where she served in the United Nations mission. She has also worked with the NZ Human Rights Commission and Oxfam, and is on the Board of Amnesty International New Zealand.the founder of ActionStation. This discussion will be extremely interesting. All welcome; if you would like to attend please register here. If you know of anyone else who may be interested, please pass this invitation on to them.

Wednesday, September 16, 6-7.30pm, GridAKL, 132 Halsey Street, Auckland Central
Women’s Health Action’s Suffrage Commemoration? “Pumahara 45 : Reflections” – with guest speaker Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku.
Tickets: $20 include glass of juice or wine and nibbles. Cash raffle tickets available on the night. Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku is an academic, curator, prolific writer, and Māori lesbian activist. In 2010, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori culture. Tickets can be purchased online or by cheque or direct deposit y contacting Women’s Health Action on info, or phone 09 520 5295.

Wednesday, September 16 to Sunday, September 20, 12-3pm, Kinder House Gallery 2 Ayr St. Parnell, Auckland
We are pleased to announce the successful launch today of the ‘Nuclear Free Peacemaker Exhibition’ a tribute to the work of Larry Ross –an unsung Hero and visionary of the NZ Peace Movement. The event featured the classical cello/guitar duo ‘Heartstrings’ which was an exquisite compliment to the visual artwork, nourishing the soul. People were genuinely impressed with the unique selection of historic peace and disarmament art posters, the presentation of photos and documentary materials which communicate the message and the vision of the 1980s that continues to be relevant to us all today. This pilot exhibition provides an insight into ‘what one person can do to make a difference’ to end the insanity of war for the sake of saving humanity. On the 70th anniversary year of Hiroshima/Nagasaki we continue the Peacework to abolish Nuclear Weapons to protect our beautiful earth and all who live here. In addition to the historic collection, there is a showing of new contemporary artworks for peace ‘Back by Popular Demand’ by Kathrine Ross. Please come and see! The exhibition is open to the public: Wed.- Sun. 12:00-3:00pm (until 20th Sept.). Be inspired –Kia Kaha – Kind regards Laurie Ross Peace Exhibition Producer and Coordinator ph: 818 0696

Wednesday, September 16, 7-8pm, Hobson Room, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Auckland
Stories of Harevest – You are all invited to the upcoming visit of the Trade Aid Guest, Saleem Abu Ghazaleh from Palestine. He will be talking about olive oil, and occupation, food and farming. Further details: please phone 021 0297-1405

Thursday, September 17, 12.30pm, Otarkaro 109 Dovedale Ave campus, College of Education Health and Human Development, University of Caterbury, Christchurch

Effects of poverty on families and young people. We warmly invite you to attend a Christchurch CPAG talk on the effects of poverty on families and young people Thursday 17th September 12.30pm – 2pm. BYO LUNCH – tea and coffee provided. Speaker: Dr Sue Bagshaw. Dr Sue Bagshaw is a Senior of Paediatrics at University of Otago in Christchurch, Director of the Collaborative for Research and Training in Youth Health and Development Trust and a Senior Medical Officer for 298 Youth Health.
Sue will present findings from the Youth2000 study into the effects of poverty on high school students and their families.The Youth2000 survey series asks secondary school students a wide range of questions that contribute to their health and wellbeing.
The findings examine indicators of socioeconomic deprivation among secondary school students and present associations between household poverty, neighbourhood deprivation and health outcomes. There will be a chance for discussion following the presentation. Register now.

Friday, September 18, 12,30-1.30pm, Khartoum Place, CBD (next to Art Gallery), Auckland
Sufferage Day Celebration: Please join us, the National Council of Women Auckland Branch, in celebration of women winning the vote in 1893. "As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to grant all women the right to vote in parliamentary elections." Brief speeches will commemorate the event.

Saturday, September 19, 2pm, Aotea Square, Auckland

Welcome Ten Thousand Now. 2pm, Aotea Square. Saturday September 19th. Bring a tent. Refugees are welcome here. A fundraiser for Auckland Refugee Council. Account Name: Auckland Refugee Council Inc. Account No: 12-3011-0762215-02.
Reference: Welcome 10000 & Organisation name. https://www.facebook.com/events/414453442088736/

Saturday, September 19, 7pm, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn Auckland

The power of Song with the Newcastle Peoples Chorus. Support Act: “Union Made” For more information contact: Ph: tbristow

September 19 to October 3
“The Power of Song” New Zealand Tour : The Newcastle People’s Chorus was formed by delegates and friends from Newcastle Unions in 1988. The choir is formed labour movement activists. and supporters and are having a return New Zealand tour with gigs organised in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Blackball and Christchurch. Influences on the repertoire include the traditional plus Flying Pickets, Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger. The choir will be performing with local union support acts in:

• Auckland – Sat 19th Sept. at 7pm Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road.
• Palmerston Nth – Wed 23rd Sept. at 7pm, Globe Theatre, 312 Main St.
• Wellington – Frid 25 Sept. at 5.30pm, St John’s Conference Centre – cnr of Dixon & Willis streets.
• Blackball – Wed, 30th Sept. at 7pm, Workers Club.
• Christchurch–Frid.2nd Oct.7pm,KnoxHall, cnr Bealey Ave & Victoria St.

Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, Sir Paul Reeves Building, Auckland University
A World without war conference. The Peace Foundation is holding the World Without War: Action for Peace Conference on the 19th and 20th of September. A number of speakers will share their knowledge as the basis for understanding the threats and developing realistic actions that might make a difference. This conference will only be worthwhile if we can find and agree to actions that will make a difference. We would be delighted if you were able to join in this quest with us. The web address is: http://action4peaceww100.org.nz/content/main-programme for the most up to date programme

Saturday, September 19, Gladstone Primary School in Mt Albert, Auckland
Wahine Toa – the Future for Gen Z Women Dreams. New Zealand Women’s Watch (PWWNZ) annual half day conference is being held this year on Suffrage Day – Saturday 19th September. The theme is – “Wahine Toa – the Future for Gen Z Women Dreams, Desires and Decisions for younger women in Aotearoa New Zealan. Keynote speaker is Soana Pamaka Principal of Tamaki College. She is the first Tongan woman to lead a New Zealand secondary school. A panel of young women will share their dreams and desires and explore the decisions they face and lead us in workshop discussions. The venue is Gladstone Primary School in Mt Albert, Auckland. The access to the hall is from Seaview Terrace which is off Carrington Road opposite UNITEC. If you require further details of how to get there please contact Christine King phone (09) 575 1523 Mobile 021 612 416

Thursday, September 24, 7pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland
Pax Christi invites you to the inaugural David Wakim Memorial Lecture on Who helped ISIS? How the West contributes to radicalism. Speaker: Joseph Wakim OAM.

Wednesday, September 23, 5.30pm, AUT City Campus,
Will you join us on the journey to a child labour free world. NZ Work Research Institure seminar.

Thursday, September 24, 6pm, Room 039, in the Old Arts Building, Princes Street, Auckland.

The National Office of the NZIIA has invited Professor Sahar Amer to visit New Zealand, to provide a perspective on relations between Europe and the Islamic world. This is a very current topic, with the sudden irruption of Syrian refugees into the German-speaking world. Educated in the USA and based in Australia, Professor Amer is an expert in Arabic Studies at the University of Sydney. Her scholarly interests extend to the significance of Muslim women’s head covering. The veil and similar head coverings continue to be a point of difference for the growing Islamic communities in various parts of Europe. Those communities have an increasing influence over domestic policies on international affairs. Professor Amer will be speaking at various cities on both Islands. She will give an address in Auckland on Muslim Women’s Rights in Post-Colonial Europe, which no doubt will include some reference to the vexed topic of veils under French law. The Committee has decided to engender a greater sense of sociability among members of the audience. To that end, those who wish may gather from 5 p.m for a drink beforehand, on a “no-host” basis. The venue will be the foyer bar of the Pullman Hotel, on the corner of Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street. Look for the Chairman. A drink may provide the opportunity to meet other people

Wednesday, September 30, 6pm, 039, Old Arts Building, Princes Street, Auckland.
Prof Jane Kelsey Speaks on TPPA. The New Zealand Government has proven adept at initiating, negotiating and concluding Trade Agreements, on both a bilateral and a multilateral basis. The Agreement with the Peoples Republic of China is a shining example. Senior Government officials are heavily involved in the current negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Within New Zealand, and in other nations involved in the TPPA negotiations, individual citizens have voiced objections to the TPPA, in its entirety or as to significant parts. Professor Jane Kelsey has established a reputation as an academic, a scholar, an author, a participant, and an activist in the area of Trade Agreements generally, and the TPPA in particular. She has agreed to give an address at 6 p.m. on 30 September 2015, under the aegis of the NZIIA and the International Law Association. To promote sociability among members of the audience, we can gather from 5 p.m. for a drink beforehand, on a “no-host” basis. The venue will be the foyer bar of the Pullman Hotel, on the corner of Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street.

Saturday, October 3, 2-3pm, Downtown shopping centre, Cnr Queen and Customs Streets, Auckland

Rally for Palestine. Add your presence and make a difference at the only regular public display of support for Palestine in Auckland!
Monthly Rally at Downtown Shopping Centre 2pm to 3pm, 4 July 2015 and every first Saturday of each month

Saturday, October 3, 7pm, Quad 2 lecture theatre, Otago University, Dunedin

Bryan Bruce child poverty talks in Auckland and Dunedin. In 2015 the Quakers have been hosting events around the country with Bryan Bruce speaking on child poverty. Bryan Bruce is the author and maker of documentaries such as Inside Child Poverty and Mind the Gap. He will discuss the growing inequality in NZ society and how it impacts on our children. Bryan Bruce will be talking in both Auckland and Dunedin over August and October.

October 12-17
National speaking tour

Tuesday, October 13, 12 noon, Civic Square

Friday, October, 16, 6-8.30pm, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT University, City Campus
SEMINAR: EFLIDA BAUTISTA OF PEOPLE SEARCH PHILIPPINES
Eflida will be addressing issues relating to disaster relief in the Philippines, in particular associating it with the misdirection of funds provided for relief purposes and corruption at various levels of government. Given the rise in the frequency of such events, almost certainly related to climate change, this is a topic very relevant to civil society groups who are often heavily engaged in relief efforts. Organised by the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Coalition (APHRC). Supported by the Pacific Media Centre

Save the date: Hikoi for homes – 28th November
On Saturday 21st November CPAG will join with grassroots housing and other organisations to hold a Hikoi from Glen Innes to to Britomart as a protest against the terrible housing situation the most vulnerable New Zealanders are facing right now. More details on the Hikoi will be coming soon.

Come To Waihopai Spy Base Protest, January 22-24, 2016

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminder: Entries are Open for 2015 Jesson Journalism Awards

Have you got a journalistic project that you want to complete, but can’t get enough money or time to do it? If so, a Bruce Jesson journalism award may be able to help. Applications for the 2015 awards are now open, and close on Friday 18 September. There are two awards, a senior one to fund a planned journalistic project and a journalism student award for work that has already been published. The senior award is unique in New Zealand because it funds time and research costs of up to $4000 in advance for projects that could be newspaper or magazine articles, reports on the internet, books, films, radio or TV documentaries or “any other publication which is aimed at, and accessible by, the general public of New Zealand or any part of New Zealand”.
Projects must be “critical, informed, analytical and creative journalism or writing which will contribute to public debate in New Zealand on an important issue or issues”. Past winners have included Nicky Hager, Max Rashbrooke and Rebecca Macfie for books; Jon Stephenson, Amy Richardson and Peter Malcouronne for magazine articles; Tina McIvor for a research report; and Alister Barry for his 2014 film on New Zealand’s climate change policies, Hot Air. Applicants should submit an outline of their proposed project and explain how it meets the criteria set out on the foundation’s website www.brucejessson.com. It is usual to submit references and/or examples of previous work, and a budget for the project.
The Emerging Journalism Prize for student journalists offers $1000 for “outstanding recent work by New Zealand print journalism students.” It is nominated by the heads of New Zealand journalism schools or journalism programme leaders for work by student journalists published between the closing date of last year’s award, 26 Sept 2014, and this year’s closing date 18 Sept 2015. Entries for both awards will be assessed by members of the Foundation’s Journalism Sub-committee: Geoff Kemp (convenor), Camille Guy, Joe Atkinson and Simon Collins.
Applications and nominations can be submitted online, or mailed to the foundation’s secretary Dr Anita Lacey, c/- Political Studies Department, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland (a.lacey). The deadline is 5pm, Friday 18 September 2015.
Contacts: Dr Geoff Kemp, 021 445 721; Camille Guy, 021 299 2995; Dr Joe Atkinson, 021 320 069; Simon Collins, 021 612 423

The Roger Award For The Worst Transnational Corporation Operating In Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2015
Here is the link to the 2015 Roger Award online nomination form
http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/roger-award-2015-form.html You can also download the hard copy nomination form from there.

Campaign Bootcamp NZ – For people between 18 – 30 years – Campaign Bootcamp NZ

Learn how to effect change. Our aim is to empower the next generation of campaigners in New Zealand to accelerate the pace of change. Campaign Bootcamp NZ gets the best campaigners in New Zealand to deliver a one week intensive training to 30 young people from September. The bootcamp will run over six days, and will involve participants learning a complete set of skills to run campaigns, as well as simulating campaigns throughout the course of the training. Follow-up will involve four group follow-up days throughout the year, and a connection with a mentor who will be expected to meet four times with the individual or group to provide support. Additionally, there will be a newsletter for community updates, ongoing support and work opportunities, and if the project is successful, participants will be invited to be trainers and mentors in the subsequent Bootcamps. The boot camp will run over six days. Each day will have a specific focus. For each day we’ll bring in an expert in the relevant field who has been creating change for over a decade.

DVDs Available For Sale Of CAFCA’s 40th Anniversary Speakers

Sam Miller filmed all of CAFCA’s 40th anniversary celebration event, held in Christchurch on May 2. He advises that DVDs are available of the five speakers – myself, Bill Rosenberg, Warren Thomson, Jane Kelsey and Robert Reid. Details of cost and from where to order them are below. Please communicate directly with Sam Miller about this, not with CAFCA. Best wishes, Murray, CAFCA 40th Anniversary speakers’ DVDs available $20 for twin disc 3h 45m set inc postage/packaging and Jewel Case. Individual 2x speakers single DVD’s available for $10 on application. Orders: samuel or 021 147 4019 – payment by Internet Transfer or Cheque.