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New Call from the Society of Jesus to Support JRS SPRING 2019 VOL XX NO 3 JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE accompany | serve | advocate link New Call from the Society of Jesus to support JRS In May 2019, Father Arturo Sosa, the of the most punitive policies affecting that the “mission of JRS must be Superior General of the Society of people seeking asylum in the world.” shared by all our institutions…[This] Jesus, renewed the Jesuit Society’s On multiple occasions, the United shared mission of reconciliation and commitment to JRS. In a letter entitled Nations, as well as Jesuit and other justice...dedicates itself anew to the “Renewed Commitment of the Jesuit Catholic leaders have condemned accompaniment, service, and defence Refugee Service” that was addressed Australia for inhumane treatment of of refugees around the world.” We “To the Whole Society of Jesus and many people seeking protection. These wish to thank you, our friends and Partners in Mission,” Fr General are the policies that JRS Australia seeks collaborators, for sharing this mission outlined the realities of the current to influence, each and every day, the with JRS and for walking with us. policies that result in so many women, global refugee crisis in explaining Father Arturo Sosa, the Superior the necessity for full support for men and children suffering. General of the Society of Jesus JRS. “With such grave and urgent Fr General quotes Pope Francis who needs, JRS must strive to be even has called on the international more effective in its programmes and community to have a shared response advocacy.” to refugees and migrants that can “No one can be unaware of the many be articulated in four verbs “to political movements that stoke welcome, to protect, to promote and resentment against refugees for to integrate.” Pope Francis has also electoral gain,” wrote Fr General. insisted that what is needed is a change Unfortunately, and as JRS Australia’s in attitude “to overcome indifference Director, Carolina Gottardo has and to counter fears.” repeatedly outlined “Australia has one In his letter, Fr General reminds us link 1 JRS Australia’s post-election parliamentary engagement Advocating for positive change. JRS Australia's Director, Carolina Gottardo (third from right) and Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Nishadh Rego (second from left) come with leaders with lived experience of seeking asylum to meet with MPs, Michelle Rowland (centre) and Shayne Neumann (fourth from right); along with parishioners and Uniting Church. In the aftermath of the 2019 federal with the PM’s office, government risk of homelessness come through election, JRS Australia reconvened ministers, and members of the cross- our doors in Western Sydney. The on how we can best achieve bench. JRS Australia has also been Australian government denies systemic change in the coming meeting with federal government, them adequate support. Prospects years. We are proud to promote opposition and independent MPs in of finding decent work are limited. the leadership of people with lived Sydney, including Fiona Martin, Chris But these people -- women, experience. Communicating their Bowen, Julie Owens, and Mehreen children, men -- must be afforded stories and also systematically Faruqi about a range of specific issues a safety net, the chance to secure gathering evidence to enable policy impacting people seeking asylum. employment, and a fair hearing change are top priorities for JRS. JRS works with parishes and schools of their claims. Decisions about We are also part of the growing that advocate for change. Across the returning people to countries of movement of Australians who are Catholic Archdioceses of both Sydney origin must be truly voluntary and calling on our leaders to adopt a and Parramatta, parishes and schools carried out in ethical ways. culture of welcome and protection. are hosting actions such as community Since the opening of JRS’ In late July 2019, JRS Australia conversations and providing funds for “Finding Safety” women’s space joined key organisations from the emergency rent, food and clothing. in Parramatta in late 2018, sector to raise some of these issues Catholic parishes are also organising we have directly worked with delegations to visit their MPs, including women seeking asylum who have Our Lady of the Way’s proactive encountered sexual and gender effort to meet Zali Steggall and Trent based violence. Many women fear Zimmerman. that reporting this violence will But what are some of the policies that result in the loss of all support or need to change and their impacts on that their families’ visas could be women, children and men seeking cancelled. Reforming this system is asylum? one of JRS’ priorities. Each month, JRS Australia is seeing In the last two years, JRS has 35–40 new people in poverty and at worked with over 60 cont on p2 Pictured left are Sarah Brown (Project Officer) and Shatha Jajo (Information and Referral Officer) from the JRS "Finding Safety" women's space. 2 link The Compacts This year has also been busy with developments at the International Pacific Refugee Rights Network’s regional and international advocacy Office. This was followed by our (APRRN) Regional Forum entitled, work. In April 2019, JRS Australia participation at the United Nations Towards a Whole of Society approach joined the Jesuit Asia Pacific High Commissioner for Refugees in the Implementation of the Global Conference (JCAP) Migration (UNHCR) Annual Consultations in Compacts, attended by more than Network on a Forum on the Global Geneva where Carolina presented as 80 people from the region (pictured Compacts in Seoul, which was joined part of a panel (with UNHCR, Act below is JRS Australia Director, by representatives from 13 Jesuit Alliance, International Detention Carolina Gottardo). institutions in 12 different countries. Coalition and Talent Beyond The forum was also the regional We discussed how to better welcome, Boundaries) on the protection of rights consultation with civil society for protect, promote and integrate in situations of mixed movements, the preparations of the upcoming migrants and refugees and the best way which was very well attended. We were historic Global Refugee Forum that to build a network and work together. also part of the panel at the Human will take place in December 2019. In July, JRS Australia’s Director Rights Council on Gender Responsive APRRN’s forum followed the Asia joined other Country Directors at Migration policies, alongside the UN Pacific Network on Refugees second a meeting in Rome which was an Special Rapporteur on Migration, meeting in Bangkok highlighting the important opportunity to exchange Felipe Gonzalez Morales. importance of leadership of refugees experiences and also to learn about In September 2019, JRS Australia was in the debates and decisions that the new JRS strategic plan and new one of the key organisers of the Asia affect their lives. cont from p2 individuals and families and people seeking asylum. JRS’ strong arguments for why this transferred from Manus and Nauru. submission to a government Bill Bill should be rejected in total. Ensuring they obtain safe, adequate proposing to repeal the Medevac Separately, the Joint Standing treatment is crucial to closing the legislation on medical transfers of Committee on Migration, is latest dark chapter in asylum policy people from Nauru and Manus to conducting an Inquiry into in our country. Australia recommended that Migration in Regional Australia. Medevac is kept in place. Submissions to Senate inquiries JRS put forward a submission on on refugee and asylum issues The National Visa Cancellations the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Policy has a direct impact on the Working Group, which JRS Australia (SHEV). SHEVs attempt to facilitate people that we serve. The Australian is a part of, also put in a submission refugee migration into regional Senate Legal and Constitutional to a government Bill proposing to areas, and if reformed, could have Affairs Legislation Committee introduce additional circumstances greater success. These activities recently conducted inquiries into in which a person will mandatorily form a core part of our policy three new Bills that have significant fail the so-called ‘Character Test.’ The analysis and engagement work. impacts on the lives of refugees Working Group made a number of link 3 Youth support JRS! Two year 6 students, Sam and Angus, are amongst the wonderful people of St Aloysius' College Junior School in Milsons Point who have used their talents to create an exciting new SchoolAid crowdfunding website and video to support JRS. The school has done much to support JRS’ work including a “food drive”, a table talk, as well as plans for an upcoming disco. The entire JRS team really appreciate this kind initiative. All funds raised will contribute to enhance the living conditions of people seeking asylum, particularly children. Recently, JRS hosted a “Table Talk” at St Aloysius' Junior School that demonstrated the multifaceted discrimination that people seeking asylum face due to Australia’s punitive policies. This struck a chord with the humanity of the students who are driven by Jesuit values. We are also looking forward to hosting boys from year 6 at JRS’ centre in Westmead. JRS is deeply impressed with the mission of the school to “produce men for others” and how it is being put into practice. Special thanks to School Principal Joe El-Khoury, as well as School Teachers Julianne Little and Michelle Reay for their ongoing support. Big thanks to the young School Ambassadors, and champions for refugees. Sam and Angus from St Aloysius' College Junior School social media donate Follow JRS: Facebook or Twitter How your donation will help We track and highlight the latest in policies and attitudes General donations will directly fund: for people seeking asylum, not just in Australia but Emergency assistant, casework services, legal advice, around the world. Let us know what you think at: employment support, foodbank, homework clubs, www.facebook.com/JRSAustralia community kitchen and many other activities.
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