Social Justice News
Refugee Week - Sun June 20 to Sat June 26
‘Unity’
To feel united is powerful at any time, especially so this week as we celebrate Refugee Week. Students and staff were encouraged to reflect on those within Australia and on a global scale whose lives have been challenged by displacement, isolation, loss and relocation and the effect this has on a person’s mental health and physical health.
Through the theme of 'Unity’, we worked to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the journeys of refugees, each requiring our acknowledgement and compassion. The Social Justice Leaders decided it would be interesting to know the stories of our Mazenod Community - who amongst us had arrived in Australia as refugees; who had travelled here as migrants; how many of our current students were born in Australia? It was with these questions in mind that they created a Google Form survey for students and staff titled ‘If Mazenod was a village of 100 people…’.
We are still collating the data but an interesting snapshot to date shows us that:
9% one or both of my parents came to Australia as refugees (fleeing armed conflict or persecution; it was too dangerous for them to return home, and they needed sanctuary elsewhere - UNHCR definition)
(blue) 9% one or both of my parents came to Australia as refugees (fleeing armed conflict or persecution; it was too dangerous for them to return home, and they needed sanctuary elsewhere - UNHCR definition)
(green) 5.7% one or both of my grandparents came to Australia as refugees
(purple) 36.7 % one or both of my parents came to Australia as migrants (chose to move mainly to improve their lives; they could have chosen to return home and receive the protection of their government - UNHCR definition)
(orange) 27.8% one or both of my grandparents came to Australia as migrants
(light green) 7.8% I came to Australia as a migrant
The Year 8 students researched facts and advocated to the College community by sharing the details on the Quadrangle.
The Social Justice Leaders compiled a series of prayers on Mazcom for our College community, including:
God bless our eyes so that we will recognise injustices.
God bless our ears so that we will hear the cry of the stranger.
God bless our mouths so that we will speak words of welcome to newcomers.
God bless our shoulders so we will be able to bear the weight of struggling for justice.
God bless our hands so that we can work together with all people to establish peace.
Source: http://ulen.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/a-lent-prayer-for-asylum-seekers-and-refugees/
Ms Jacinta Girolami
Social Justice Coordinator