The Rights Stuff
Read about some of the social justice issues on our radar...
Human Rights
If we don't protect human rights, we can't live in a society that is peaceful, inclusive and safe.
Talk of human rights has been on the tips of Australians' tongues since the Federal Government started considering a National Human Rights Charter.
When we think about Human Rights breaches, our minds immediately turn to the plight of our brothers and sisters in third world countries. We hear a lot of scary statistics.1 in 6 people in the world are forced to go without food. Every 5 seconds a child dies from hunger-related causes...
A few months ago, TEAR came to speak to us about the situation in Cambodia. We were told about extreme poverty, homelessness, maltreatment, explotation, illness and death...We saw photos of families living in crowded huts above masses of raw sewage. And truckloads of girls being shipped off to work in factories for almost no money. We heard that young boys walk hundreds of miles each day just to fetch drinkable water for their families.
Yes, our world is a mess. But there are ways we can help. To find out more, check out the websites of these development organisations.
Talk of human rights has been on the tips of Australians' tongues since the Federal Government started considering a National Human Rights Charter.
When we think about Human Rights breaches, our minds immediately turn to the plight of our brothers and sisters in third world countries. We hear a lot of scary statistics.1 in 6 people in the world are forced to go without food. Every 5 seconds a child dies from hunger-related causes...
A few months ago, TEAR came to speak to us about the situation in Cambodia. We were told about extreme poverty, homelessness, maltreatment, explotation, illness and death...We saw photos of families living in crowded huts above masses of raw sewage. And truckloads of girls being shipped off to work in factories for almost no money. We heard that young boys walk hundreds of miles each day just to fetch drinkable water for their families.
Yes, our world is a mess. But there are ways we can help. To find out more, check out the websites of these development organisations.
Jesus Christ: Human Rights Superstar
Human rights are about recognising and respecting the inherent value and dignity fo all people.
The Bible tells us that Jesus dined with the bad eggs of society. He healed lepers when no one else would go near them. He accepted and loved adulterers and prostitutes. He cared for children.
His actions constantly showed his belief in the value and dignity of all people- He was a true champion of human rights!
The Bible tells us that Jesus dined with the bad eggs of society. He healed lepers when no one else would go near them. He accepted and loved adulterers and prostitutes. He cared for children.
His actions constantly showed his belief in the value and dignity of all people- He was a true champion of human rights!
Watch This Space
Click on the video below to watch a short film about Human Rights. The film "What Human Rights Mean To Me won First Place in the NSW Human Rights Charter Group very short video competition.
Children
Australia is a signatory to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which means our country recognises that kids have human rights, and they also have the right to special protection because of their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.
Some rights include:
Some rights include:
- The right to survival and development
- The right to an identity, including a nationality, a name and a family
- The right to express views and opinions on matters concerning them
- The right to be free from physical and mental violence
Need Help?
But life can still be pretty tough for kids. If you are young and have some difficult questions, if you need advice, or just someone to talk to, there are a number of places you can call.
Reach Out is a web-based service that helps young people get through hard times. Their website is www.reachout.com.au
Kids Helpline is a 24 hiour telephone and online counselling servicefor children and young people in Australia. You can ring the Kids Helpline at any time from anywhere in Australia on their freecall number 1800 55 1800. Their website is www.kidshelp.com.au
To get some information about issues like leaving school, moving out of home, drugs, driving, and other stuff, check out this website www.lawstuff.org.au
Reach Out is a web-based service that helps young people get through hard times. Their website is www.reachout.com.au
Kids Helpline is a 24 hiour telephone and online counselling servicefor children and young people in Australia. You can ring the Kids Helpline at any time from anywhere in Australia on their freecall number 1800 55 1800. Their website is www.kidshelp.com.au
To get some information about issues like leaving school, moving out of home, drugs, driving, and other stuff, check out this website www.lawstuff.org.au
Kids @ Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones runs a number of programs for kids to come and spend time with their parents or carers, to hang out with other kids, and to play in a safe environment.
Read about our Children's Activities on our webpage "Kids Stuff!". Click here.
Read about our Children's Activities on our webpage "Kids Stuff!". Click here.
Don't It Matter If You're Black or White?
*Image taken from Bennetton
Racial discrimination is illegal in Australia. The Racial Discrimination Act is a Federal Law created to protect Australians from being vilified on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
But how are we going at stamping out racism? Read these comments made at the Humsn Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission"Consultations with Civil Society on Racism in Australia":
They say "Go home to your country!" But some of us don't have a country to go to. (Canberra consultation, ACT, July 2001)
We hold 75% of the voting power here, yet we can't get a black local government. (Indigenous Women's Forum, Brewarrina, July 2001)
We want our kids in offices, not out with shovels. Indigenous Women's Forum, Walgett, July 2001)
Racism is about putting in systems which stop us working together as a community. (Kalgoorlie Consultation, WA, June 2001)
Racial discrimination is illegal in Australia. The Racial Discrimination Act is a Federal Law created to protect Australians from being vilified on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.
But how are we going at stamping out racism? Read these comments made at the Humsn Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission"Consultations with Civil Society on Racism in Australia":
They say "Go home to your country!" But some of us don't have a country to go to. (Canberra consultation, ACT, July 2001)
We hold 75% of the voting power here, yet we can't get a black local government. (Indigenous Women's Forum, Brewarrina, July 2001)
We want our kids in offices, not out with shovels. Indigenous Women's Forum, Walgett, July 2001)
Racism is about putting in systems which stop us working together as a community. (Kalgoorlie Consultation, WA, June 2001)
Not so Whacko?
I think it's safe to say Michael Jackson had a few ideas about race, skin colour, and discrimination.
Read the lyrics to the King of Pop's legendary song Black or White, and watch the video below!
Protection for gangs clubs and nations.
Causing grief in human relations, it's a turf war on a global scale. I'd rather hear both sides of the tale.
See, it's not about races, just faces. Where your blood comes from is where your space is.
I've seen the bright getting duller- I'm not going to spend my life being a colour!
Read the lyrics to the King of Pop's legendary song Black or White, and watch the video below!
Protection for gangs clubs and nations.
Causing grief in human relations, it's a turf war on a global scale. I'd rather hear both sides of the tale.
See, it's not about races, just faces. Where your blood comes from is where your space is.
I've seen the bright getting duller- I'm not going to spend my life being a colour!
Media Spot
How does ethnic diversity fare on the international front?
Check out these media highlights by clicking on the headlines below...
Police acted 'stupidly' arresting professor: Obama
Sarkozy's state of the nation dress: no burqas, please
Africans face 'racist abuse'
Veils and vegemite
Attacks on international students have racial underpinning
Check out these media highlights by clicking on the headlines below...
Police acted 'stupidly' arresting professor: Obama
Sarkozy's state of the nation dress: no burqas, please
Africans face 'racist abuse'
Veils and vegemite
Attacks on international students have racial underpinning
"Sorry"
Let's Talk About Sex, Baby
In the Old and New Testaments, God uses sexuality as a symbol for the spiritual closeness he wants to have with his creation. For Christ-believers, sex is not just about physical gratification, but is a symbol of spiritual intimacy with Christ. In the book of Ephesians, Paul says:
For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Crist and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-2)
But what does our society have to say about sex? Let's look at a few pop songs:
"You and me baby aint nothing but mammals so let's do it like they do in the discovery channel." (Bloodhound Gang)
"I am into having sex I'm not into making love so come give me a hug." (50 Cent)
"Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick." (Lady Gaga)
"No, we're never gonna quit. Aint nothing wrong with it, we're acting like we're animals." (Nickelback)
"All my girls at the party look at that body. Got a nice package alright, guess I'm going to have to ride it tonight." (Janet)
"It's not a slow dance, this modern romance. Feels like we've already waited too long." (Teddy Geiger)
Is this the way it was meant to me? Sex seems to have lost all its intimacy. Tracy Chapman's song 'Baby Can I Hold You' is a telling portrayal of 'love' in today's world:
" 'Sorry' is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still the words don't come easily. Like sorry. Like sorry.
'Forgive me' is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still the words don't come easily. Like forgive me. Forgive me.
But you can say 'Baby. Baby can I hold you tonight.' Maybe if I told you the right words at the right time you'd be mine.
I love you is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still. The words don't come easily. Like I love you. I love you."
For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Crist and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-2)
But what does our society have to say about sex? Let's look at a few pop songs:
"You and me baby aint nothing but mammals so let's do it like they do in the discovery channel." (Bloodhound Gang)
"I am into having sex I'm not into making love so come give me a hug." (50 Cent)
"Let's have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick." (Lady Gaga)
"No, we're never gonna quit. Aint nothing wrong with it, we're acting like we're animals." (Nickelback)
"All my girls at the party look at that body. Got a nice package alright, guess I'm going to have to ride it tonight." (Janet)
"It's not a slow dance, this modern romance. Feels like we've already waited too long." (Teddy Geiger)
Is this the way it was meant to me? Sex seems to have lost all its intimacy. Tracy Chapman's song 'Baby Can I Hold You' is a telling portrayal of 'love' in today's world:
" 'Sorry' is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still the words don't come easily. Like sorry. Like sorry.
'Forgive me' is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still the words don't come easily. Like forgive me. Forgive me.
But you can say 'Baby. Baby can I hold you tonight.' Maybe if I told you the right words at the right time you'd be mine.
I love you is all that you can't say. Years gone by and still. The words don't come easily. Like I love you. I love you."
THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM FREEFOTO.COM: www.freefoto.com
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