Editor: Judy Cannon - 07 3358 2623
Email: judycnnn@yahoo.com.au
Contributing Editor: Ian Mathews - 02 6281 4025
Email: ian.mathews7@bigpond.com
Earlier editions of UNity 2004-05, 2006 and 2007 are on the
UNAA website: www.unaa.org.au or email the editor.
(Please note some email addresses will need to be copied and pasted into browser).
[A] DIARY DATES AND INTERNATIONAL YEARS
[B] JOB VACANCIES
[C] RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIPS, CALLS FOR PAPERS
[D] REPORTS
[A] DIARY DATES, UN OBSERVANCES
For your organisation's events to be included in the Unity Supplement, please email brief details to: judycnnn@yahoo.com.au by WEDNESDAY for the best chance of swift inclusion. Accessible Events a Guide for Organisers, developed by Meeting Events Australia (MEA) and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, helps organisers to make their events more accessible to the millions of Australians with a disability.
Accessible Events a Guide for Organisers is available through the MEA website at www.meetingsevents.com.au and www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/index.html
HREOC EVENTS CALENDAR
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has a calendar of upcoming human rights related events and occasions. This is a brief and easy to use guide of what's happening in the world of human rights, gender equality, racial or disability discrimination, equal opportunities in the workplace, racism in sport, age discrimination, human rights education, anti-discrimination laws, etc.
It will be kept as up-to-date and accurate as possible. Check out the calendar at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/events/The calendar relies on information from the human rights community, so if you have an appropriate listing,call 02 9284 9618. HREOC reserves the right to select and edit submissions.
DIARY DATES
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 21 International Day of Peace - video message from UN Secretary-General.
SEPTEMBER 25 Protecting Human Rights Conference, Melbourne Law School, Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law (UNSW) and RegNet (ANU) conference. One day event to discuss developments in the protection of Human rights by Australian charters and human rights acts. Details: More information, http://cccs.law.unimelb.edu.au; +61 (02) 9385 2259; 0414 241 593; fax +61 (02) 93851175; http://www.law.unsw.edu.au/staff/WilliamsG/; email: law-cccs@unimelb.edu.au SEPTEMBER 25 Australia in the Asia-Pacific: The Un-sexy Business of Trade, Ted O’Brien, at 6pm, Brisbane Institute, Long Room, Customs House, 399 Queen Street, Brisbane. Ted, a business strategist, has been responsible for shaping and negotiating large complex deals across the Asia-Pacific region. DETAILS: www.brisinst.org.au and 3220 2198 or rsvp@brisinst.org.au.
SEPTEMBER World Maritime Day, (last week of September).
SEPTEMBER 28 The Indigenous Law Centre, Crime and Justice Research Network, Faculty
of Law, NSW University and the Human Rights Equal Opportunity Commission to jointly host a conference to commemorate 10th anniversary of the Bringing them Home Report and to discuss implications of the recent Trevorrow compensation decision. Venue: Barnet Long Room, Customs House, Circular Quay, Sydney from 9am-5.30pm. DETAILS: www.humanrights.gov.au/pdf/social_justice/ILCConf0907.pdf or www.ilc.unsw.edu.au; also Denise Lester on 02 9385 9623 or denise.lester@unsw.edu.au for registrations.
SEPTEMBER 28 The Indigenous Law Centre, Crime and Justice Research Network, Faculty of Law, NSW University and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission jointly hosting a conference on 10th anniversary of the Bringing them home Report and to discuss implications of the recent Trevorrow compensation decision; 9am to 5.30pm, Barnet Long Room, Customs House, Circular Quay, Sydney. DETAILS: www.humanrights.gov.au/pdf/social_justice/ILCConf0907.pdf or www.ilc.unsw.edu.au; or Denise Lester on 02 9385 9623 or denise.lester@unsw.edu.au.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 1 International Day of Older Persons.
OCTOBER 2 World Habitat Day (first Monday of October).
OCTOBER 3/4 London Nuclear Weapons: The Final Pandemic — Preventing Proliferation And Achieving Abolition. Conference in partnership with the Catastrophes and Conflicts Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine and IPPNW's UK affiliate, Medact. See www.ippnw.org.
OCTOBER 4 Australian Human Rights Centre (AHRC). The AHRC Annual Public Lecture Transforming rights: the role of the South African Constitutional Court at NSW University; Professor Sandra Liebenberg, HF Oppenheimer Chairperson in Human Rights Law, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. At Law Auditorium, Law Building, NSW University at 6.30pm. and will be followed by drinks.DETAILS: 02 9385 1803.
OCTOBER 4/10 World Space Week.
OCTOBER 9 World Post Day.
OCTOBER 10 World Mental Health Day.
OCTOBER 11 International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (second Wed of October).
OCTOBER 12/14 Queensland UNAA Student State Conference, Luther Heights Youth Camp, Coolum Beach. Details: Virginia Balmain on 3254 1096 and 0430 469242; emailto: unaabalmain@optusnet.com.au.
OCTOBER 14/20 Anti-Poverty Week.
OCTOBER 16 World Food Day.
OCTOBER 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
OCTOBER 18 SOSE – Worth Saving? Open forum to discuss current federal initiatives that threaten the continuing teaching of society and environment in our schools at the Global Learning Centre, Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Road, Windsor at 7pm.
OCTOBER 24 United Nations Day.OCTOBER 24 World Development Information Day.
OCTOBER 24/30 Disarmament Week.
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 6 International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.
NOVEMBER 16 International Day for Tolerance.
NOVEMBER 20 Africa Industrialisation Day.
NOVEMBER 20 Universal Children's Day.
NOVEMBER 21 World Television Day.
NOVEMBER 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
NOVEMBER 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
‘ Human Rights 2007 The Year in Review: Human Rights and the Environment
The CUB Malthouse, Southbank, Melbourne, 9am - 5pm. DETAILS: on +61 03 9905 3327 and castan.centre@law.monash.edu.au.
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1 World AIDS Day.
DECEMBER 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
DECEMBER 3 International Day of Disabled Persons.
DECEMBER 5 International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development.
DECEMBER 7 International Civil Aviation Day.
DECEMBER 10 Human Rights Day www.ohchr.org.
DECEMBER 11 International Mountain Day.DECEMBER 18 International Migrants Day www.ohchr.org.
DECEMBER 19 United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation.
DECEMBER 20 International Human Solidarity Day.
SPECIAL OBSERVANCES AND EVENTS
International Decade for Action: Water for Life (2005-2015);
United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012);
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010);
Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001-2010);
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa (2001-2010);
United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006).
Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People commenced on January 1 2005.UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: From January 1, 2005 to 2014.
For more information: Mirian Vilela, Executive Director, Earth Charter Initiative, c/o Earth Council Institute, PO Box 319 _ 6100, San Jose, Costa Rica, on + 506 205 16 00; fax: + 506 249 35 00; email: info@earthcharter.org or contact ‘SUSAN ZIPP’ email: suezipp@mcn.org or Global People's Assembly network www.ourvoices.org.
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YEARS
For the UN Website for UN international days, years and decades go to Calendar of Conferences and Events at: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/Reference_Paper_No_45.doc.htm.
[B] JOB VACANCIES
JOBS AND VOLUNTEERS - AND WHERE TO FIND MORE
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
There are several non-ongoing employment opportunities available for 12 months with the possibility of on-going employment arising during this time.
The commission administers Commonwealth discrimination and human rights laws. The commission has experienced an increase in complaints lodged under these laws and needs additional staff to investigate and conciliate complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches. The role requires superior analytical, communication and written skills and demonstrated experience in complaint handling and/or dispute resolution is desirable. Ability to travel interstate is also a requirement. The total package includes base salary of between $58,730-$65,825 plus superannuation.
Selection documents: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/jobs/index.html.
Selection for current vacancies advertised on the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website are based on job specific selection criteria. Applicants should obtain a copy of the documentation from the commission's website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/jobs or on 02 9284 9660 or write to The Human Resources Officer, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001 or by email: personnel@humanrights.gov.au.
Selection criteria and more information is available on the HREOC website:www.humanrights.gov.au/jobs/index.html.The commission encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities and women.
MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION INC. VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Address: 512 Stanley Street, South Brisbane Q 4101.Ph (07) 333 75428; fax on 07 3337 5444’ email: lorrainea@mdane.org.au; MDA Reception on 07 3337 5400:http://www.unaids.org/en/Careers/Professionalvacancies/default.asp.
RECRUITMENT AGENCY ESTABLISHED FOR NGOS
An international recruitment agency has been set up to respond to the globalisation of non-governmental organisations. Global Charity Jobs aims to provide web-based recruitment solutions within the not-for-profit sector for charities, foundations, higher education institutes, the cultural sector and United Nations agencies. The agency is designed to help those looking to fill senior posts in leadership, development, fundraising, finance, administration, marketing, human resources, new media, communications, campaigning and advocacy. For more information, visit www.ipsterraviva.net/Europe/article.aspx?id=3205.
UNAIDS POOL VACANCY NOTICES
This kind of pool recruitment process will be started twice a year in March and October, during that time the vacancy will stay open for applications. A UN system Personal History Form (electronic copy available on UNAIDS website: www.unaids.org or a comprehensive curriculum vitae should be addressed to: Human Resources Management, Email: HRM@UNAIDS.ORG or UNAIDS 20, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland or fax on +41 22 791 4784.
UNAIDS VACANCIES
New UNAID vacancies currently listed:
Senior Adviser to Executive Director
International Procurement and Supply Management Adviser: See:
https://erecruit.unaids.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=17925&vaclng=en
Closing date for applications: October 10.
OTHER VACANCIES
Diplomacy Training Program is seeking an Administrator. The successful candidate will possess previous administrative experience and will play a vital role working with a small team to advance the work of a regional human rights advocacy training organisation. This is a full-time position for a 12 month contract (with the potential for renewal). DETAILS: email: dtp@unsw.edu.au or call 02 9385 3549; Lillian Dang, Administrator/ Accounts, Diplomacy Training Program Faculty of Law, UNSW, Sydney; also on +61 2 9385 3549; F + 61 2 9385 1778 and website: www.dtp.unsw.edu.au.
AUSTRALIAN YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Become a participant or Australian Partner Organisation for the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program.The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program places young Australians between 18 and 30 on short-term assignments (3-12 months) in developing countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. AYADs exchange skills and knowledge with local counterparts to strengthen the capacity of overseas host organisations.
AYADs also develop linkages and networks between partner organisations in Australia and those in developing countries, and gain overseas professional experience. A distinctive feature of the AYAD Program is its relationship with Australian Partner Organisations (APOs). An APO is any organisation that develops an assignment in partnership with an organisation in the Asia Pacific region.The program is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and provides in-country support and living and assignment support allowances to successful applicants during their period overseas.
With program expansion, 400 AYADs will be mobilised each year. The next Intake will focus primarily on trades based and Vocational Education and Training (VET) assignments. Some of the exciting assignments available in past Intakes have been:Vocational Teacher Trainer, Indonesia - Information Technology Assistant, Tonga - Community Ecotourism Officer, Cambodia - Construction Assistant, Vietnam - Chef/Hospitality Trainer, Samoa - Sailing Instructor, Vanuatu - Offset Printing Trainer, Philippines - Small Business Skills Technical Advisor, East Timor - Human Resources and Administration Advisor, Solomon Islands - Technical Advisor (Construction Trades), Laos.
For further information about the AYAD Program and/or to interview a returned Australian youth ambassador, please contact Ruth Daugalis, Marketing and Alumni Project Coordinator at email: rdaugalis@austraining.com.au or 1800 225 592.
For more information on opportunities available to APOs: Ruth Daugalis Project Coordinator Alumni & Marketing AYAD Program Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program, Level 2, 81 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia on 08 8232 3050 Freecall (Australia): 1800 225 592 www.ausaid.gov.au/youtham.
VOLUNTEERING FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FROM AUSTRALIA
VIDA is Australia's latest international volunteer program. VIDA places skilled Australian volunteers in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. VIDA volunteers work with local counterparts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in the communities in which they work through skills exchange, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
VIDA is funded by the Australian Government’s International Aid Agency, AusAID, as part of the Australian Volunteer Program. A range of assignments are available across sectors that include education, environment, governance, health, infrastructure, rural development and trades.
VIDA is currently sending volunteers to PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It is also concerned with sending volunteers to Burma, China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.Assignments can be one month to three years in length.WHO CAN BECOME A VIDA VOLUNTEER?Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 18+ are eligible to apply.
Register your interest online and apply for a specific volunteer assignment advertised at www.vidavolunteers.com.au.Financial assistance including airfares, living and accommodation allowances, comprehensive insurance, in-country support and pre-departure training are provided to successful applicants.VIDA Volunteers: www.vidavolunteers.com.au Free call 1800 995 536.
AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS VACANCIES
Australian Volunteers is recruiting skilled professionals from the following sectors: health, education, IT, Finance, Agriculture, Environment and Community Development. DETAILS: email: recruit@australianvolunteers.com; website: http://www.australianvolunteers.com.
VACANCIES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (ICSC)
ICSC is an independent expert body established by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mandate is to regulate and coordinate the conditions of service of staff in the United Nations common system (see below), while promoting and maintaining high standards in the international civil service. http://icsc.un.org/vab/index.htm.For all UN positions vacant, access:https://jobs.un.org/release1/vacancy/vacancy.asp.
Alternative sites for employment opportunities with the United Nations and its field operations and list of professional posts vacancies in the International Civil Service, job classification, salary scales and daily subsistence allowances are at the following websites:www.un.org/Depts/icsc; www.un.org/Depts/OHRM; www.un.org/Depts/dpko (to apply for field employment and to download P-11 application form).
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACFID publishes details of vacancies in the NGO area. Details are available on the ACFID website at http://www.ACFID.asn.au/ or on 02 6285 1816.
SPECTRUM EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CO-OPERATIVE
Spectrum is a largely self funded, not for profit organisation, committed to a Vision of “an economic and social environment which creates professional training and fulfilling employment opportunities for all”.
Originally established as a labour co-operative in the early 1990s to provide employment opportunities for unemployed people in inner city areas, Spectrum has expanded its scope of operations across metropolitan and suburban Sydney, with offices in Marrickville, Bidwill, Claymore, Campbelltown and Padstow.As a community-based service, Spectrum’s purpose is to alleviate poverty and improve the prosperity of the communities in which we work. We do this by providing training, education and employment opportunities for the unemployed and working with employers, community organisations, government and the unemployed to maximise the available opportunities.
Spectrum Employment Services have offices located across Sydney, servicing government and commercial customers.DETAILS: http://www.spectrumemployment.com/and on 02 9573 0444.
[C] NGO RESEARCH, COURSES, SCHOLARSHIPS, PAPERS PhD RESEARCH
ASSISTANCE FOR REFUGEE WOMEN GRADUATES
The International Federation of University Women is offering limited financial assistance for women refugees who have mostly or fully completed their university degrees, and who need further training in language or professional practices in order to find employment in their new country.Small grants are designed to help some already qualified women get established faster in their new environment, so that they can then support their families and get involved to encourage their less fortunate 'sisters'.
This assistance is open to refugee graduate women anywhere in the world. The grants are usually around $US1000 and are intended as short-term help for a woman to get a few necessary courses or certification so that she can work as a professional.The women must have valid refugee status in their new country; and are not available to those who are waiting to be processed or to be sent back to their country of origin.
They must have permission to study (and eventually, to work) in their new country of residence, and be legallyrecognised. Proof of this status is required.To apply, contact the nearest affiliate of the International Federation of University Women (seehttp://www.ifuw.org/nfas/index.shtml for a list of national organisations) for assistance with their application. The affiliate can confirm the applicant's credentials and status, and the appropriateness of the courses or training desired, as well as monitoring her progress, and hopefully providing some moral support and friendship.
The application form for grants is available in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format at: http://www.ifuw.org/hegg-hoffet/grant.htm It should be accompanied by the appropriate documentation, if available, or else letters of recommendation and validation of expertise from local educational authorities.
IFUW will also contact the local IFUW affiliate to assist in processing the application, so it helps if the applicant has already been in contact with them. More details: http://www.ifuw.org/hegg-hoffet/index.htm or email the Refugee Council of Australia at info@refugeecouncil.org.au.
[D] REPORTS
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission report by chairman, Dr Hans Blix, Weapons of Terror: Freeing the World of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Arms. The full text of the Report (PDF format, 227 pages, 3,494Kb) and related materials are available at URL: http://www.wmdcommission.org/.
Amnesty International Report 2006: the state of the world’s human rights: www.amnesty.org.au and 02 9217 7620.State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report: www.savethechildren.org.au.
Australia's Foreign Wars: Origins, Costs, Future?! at: http://users.cyberone.com.au/ibuckleyFact sheet on Australia’s Foreign Wars: Origins, Costs, Future?! with examples of some key historical developments: Dr Ian Buckley, email: ibuckley@cybermac.com.au.
The World Health Report: http://www.who.int/whr/en/ Aid Report of Core Group at AusAID contains 46 recommendations. Core Group’s Report is at www.ausaid.gov.au.
Violence against women: http://www.unfpa.org/swp/swpmain.htm. Chapter 7 states 'Gender-based violence is perhaps the most widespread and socially tolerated of human rights violations. The cost to women, their children, families and communities is a significant obstacle to reducing poverty, achieving gender equality and meeting the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Access Economic report summary: http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/ViolenceAgainstWomen.htm.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (Australia)
Discussion Paper on Discrimination in Employment on the basis of Criminal Record' : http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/criminalrecord/discussion.html http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/criminalrecord/submissions/index.htmlor email: criminalrecord@humanrights.gov.au.
The HREOC Report on disability rights and employment and other material from its inquiry: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/employment_inquiry/index.htm.
Indigenous Young People with Cognitive Disabilities and Australian Juvenile Justice Systems Report:http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/index.html.
HREOC report 'Rights of Passage: A Dialogue with Young Australians about Human Rights': http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/rights_of_passage/ or call HREOC www.humanrights.gov.au/ or Paul Oliver on 02 9284 9880.
HREOC Human Rights On Line: Volume 20 of the Human Rights Law Bulletin, covering developments in domestic and international human rights law during the period April - August 2007 is now available online: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/bulletins/volume_20.html.
Federal Discrimination Law Supplement: The latest Federal Discrimination Law Supplement: 1 March 2005 - 1 July 2007 is now online at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/fed_discrimination_law_05/index.html.
Rights Australia has material on the following topics:Immigration Detention: http://www.rightsaustralia.org.au/articles62.html.
Full pdf of Inquiry into the Circumstances of the Immigration Detention of Cornelia Rau by Mick Palmer [ISBN 0 646 44945 1] is at http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2005/v05030.htm.
Productivity Commission's Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report: http://www.pc.gov.au or (03) 9653 2244.Australia: The impact of indefinite detention - the case to change Australia's mandatory detention regime, http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maadHwnabikbSbfE1obb/.
Guide for ‘climate refugees’: Download the Guide for ‘climate refugees’ http://www.foe.org.au/download/Citizen's%20Guide%20to%20Climate%20Refugees-1.pdf(PDF format, 1.1MB) and FoE Australia’s on-line opinion piece on Climate Refugees: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=3569.
Make Poverty History Email Bulletin: http://www.acfid.asn.au/fairshare%20folder/emailnew7.pdf.Email: mph@acfid.asn.au or call Michaela Sargent, Campaigns Coordinator, Australian Council for International Development on 02 6281 9227 and www.acfid.asn.au.
Plight of women in Afghanistan: http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/615D4B5628D7E547C125704200343ECB?opendocument.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS AND STATEMENTS
Relevant to the United Nations and to specific country reports on human rights including the death penalty can be accessed via http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/apro/APROweb.nsf/pages/baza_aipub and
http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/apro/aproweb.nsf/pages/takeaction.
Online Atlas of Millennium Development GoalsThe new World Bank Online Atlas of the MDGs is a visualisation of the Millennium Development Goals:· Explore maps of key indicators for each of the eight MDG goals. It is designed to make a wide range of data for over 200 economies easily accessible· Resize countries to reflect comparative values.· Zoom in on countries and pull up quick tables of supporting indicators. Website: http://devdata.worldbank.org/atlas-mdg/ and http://ddp-ext.worldbank.org/ext/GMIS/home.do?siteId=2.
The Millennium Development Goals Map: Charting Progress toward a Better WorldData and Research MDGs:
http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/0,,contentMDK:20637864~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469372,00.html.The World Bank’s Data Group and National Geographic are in a partnership to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by producing and disseminating a large-format, full-colour wall map highlighting progress toward the goals.The map, entitled A Global Agenda to End Poverty, is a tool to increase understanding of the MDGs among all audiences. It has a special focus on educating secondary school students about the substance of the MDGs and what is needed to meet them.
