AUTUMN 2019 VOL XX NO 1 JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE link

Staff and volunteers at our new Women's Space

change for people seeking asylum in JRS in the community . JRS invites other parishes The JRS community does not solely JRS’s work in parishes. across Sydney and NSW who are consist of the clients that we serve Many Catholic parishes across interested in galvanizing their parishes and our staff and volunteers. It also NSW and Australia would like to to help serve, accompany, and advocate consists of the wider community; see Australia treat refugees, people for the rights of refugees and people people in parishes, schools and other seeking asylum and migrants fairly seeking asylum to contact us. individuals who care; people like and with dignity. A few weekends you. Right now, many people seeking ago, St Columba’s Parish in North JRS’s work in communities. asylum live in our own communities Leichhardt hosted JRS’s Community Last month, JRS was invited by and face various forms of injustice. Organiser, Anne Rutherford, to speak our partners, Sydney Alliance, to Recently JRS caseworkers report at three masses about JRS’s work in the participate as experts at two table talks substantial increases in food insecurity community and how to get involved. in Springwood in the Blue Mountains. and homelessness amongst children, This parish will feature information in Table talks are a unique platform for women, and men seeking asylum as a their bulletin on resources needed by refugees and people seeking asylum result of the government cuts in Status JRS to feed, clothe, and help empower to share their stories. Participants are Resolution Support Service (SRSS). people with jobs. Our Community encouraged to ask experts questions on Similarly JRS foodbank coordinators Development Officer, Joanna Brooke, issues concerning forced migration. also noticed significant increases in worked closely with Fay and David During the Springwood talks, JRS’s people needing to access emergency Hair of the parish social justice group Maeve Brown, Services Manager and food rations. Such stories indicate to make this possible. JRS Australia is Leonie Dyer, Employment Coordinator that basic services have been denied grateful to the St Columba’s parish and participated as experts. Hosted over to people seeking asylum in Australia. thankful to Fr Peter Smith (also the two days, Hava Rezaie, a Hazara In this context, it is more important Promoter of Justice and Peace, Catholic community leader and women’s rights than ever to join the JRS community to Archdiocese of Sydney), the parish advocate and Kane Alkoraghooli, a walk with people seeking asylum and social justice group and the work of young Syrian leader; gave powerful refugees and advocate for their rights. Fay and David for facilitating positive accounts of escape from cont on p2 link 1 cont from p1 persecution and family School participated in a table talk can raise awareness about refugee separation. Politicians from both major organised by JRS and Sydney Alliance. issues among students whilst meeting parties also attended the event. Throughout 2019, JRS will also essential criteria for the school The Blue Mountains table talks were continue our Refugee Voices (RV) curriculum. Table talks and RVs are particularly special because they were program, which brings students face to excellent programs for students and interfaith events co-organised by the face with leaders of lived experience, have a positive impact on the entire Presbyterian, Anglican, Uniting, and who share their stories and answer community. Right now, JRS’s Schools Catholic churches in the area. The Blue questions. The RV program is intended Engagement Coordinator, Anne Nesbitt Mountains Refugee Support Group also for students and youth groups so is is organising table talks and RVs across helped coordinate the event. In total, popular amongst school teachers who schools in Sydney. 180 people attended the talks over the two days. This year, JRS will be hosting JRS in the community. Get involved! table talks in Sydney communities and JRS is eager to work with schools, parishes, individuals and community parishes. If interested, please get in groups. Please see contact details below. touch. Schools: JRS’s work in schools. Anne Nesbitt. E: [email protected] This year, JRS continues to work with Parishes/community groups: schools that want to empower people Anne Rutherford. E: [email protected] seeking asylum. Earlier this March, Individuals: [email protected] the teachers at St Columba’s Catholic Promoting Women’s empowerment with JRS’ new Women’s Space! Last year, JRS Australia launched a asylum include lack of income and JRS Australia is committed to new women’s space for our “Finding access to housing and community bringing the voices of women Safety” programme in . services. Additional barriers include seeking asylum into the public arena, JRS also released the groundbreaking fears of deportation and/or violent and supporting them to advocate Free from Violence Against Women repercussions for reporting cases for change. Finding Safety, JRS and Girls (VAWG) Report. of domestic violence to the police. Australia’s new 3-year project funded The women’s space is part of an Insecure visa status often contributed by Women NSW, is the first step in overall programme to effectively to asylum-seeking women perceiving this journey. respond to the specific challenges domestic and family violence (DFV) JRS’s women’s space in Parramatta faced by women seeking asylum and as an issue of lesser importance as is a place of safety, shelter and girls who are survivors or at risk of compared with seeking asylum. One empowerment for women seeking Sexual and Gender Based Violence woman interviewed for the Report said; asylum. On International Women’s (SGBV). “Sometimes you have this big problem… Day, JRS collaborated with an And then you have another problem, like “Women seeking asylum are organisation called “Support the sexual violence or…maybe you’re beaten incredibly resilient and are agents of Girls,” which specialises in providing by your partner or your husband, so your change. For us, it is crucial that they women with professional bra fittings. mind becomes so much occupied by this are the main drivers of this project,” An advocate, lawyer and artist asylum seeker thing, you end up thinking said JRS Australia Director, Carolina named Amani Hayder also delivered these other ones are just… not as serious.” Gottardo. a powerful speech on resilience. The Finding Safety aims to promote the women enjoyed lunch together and “Unfortunately, violence against empowerment of women who have participated in an art session. women and girls is endemic and it experienced or are at risk of violence, affects women seeking asylum in Earlier this month, Finding Safety to develop prevention efforts and very specific ways as a result of the also began a weekly open day on educational sessions on DFV against multiple layers of discrimination that Wednesdays. Each fortnight, the women. It also endeavours to facilitate they face on the grounds of their space will have a peer support group links and referrals in between the DFV gender, race and migration/asylum for women. On alternate fortnights, and refugee sectors and to support status,” said Ms Gottardo. women leaders will cook food from women seeking asylum to advocate for their home countries and share a Common issues for women seeking policy change where it is needed. cont on p2

2 link The global compacts At the end of last year, major the Coalition’s decision and seeking developments occurred in the it to be changed. In November, international arena on key issues 2018, JRS facilitated the production surrounding refugees and migration. of a public letter with 34 key peak On the 10th and 11th December bodies, international NGOs, and faith 2018, the international community organisations expressing both our met at the Marrakech United Nations concern with government’s non- (UN) Conference for the final adoption and asking it to reconsider. adoption of the Global Compact for Australia has committed to adopting Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration the GCR. Carolina Gottardo at the UN (GCM). The Global Compact for During the UN Conference, leaders Refugees (GCR) was also adopted in from 164 countries chose to adopt the government to adopt the GCM. This is New York in December 2018. Compact whilst only a few countries an instrument that they helped to shape The GCM is a pioneering decided not to adopt. Furthermore, through their active participation in international instrument because there was a vote on the GCM at the UN the consultations and negotiations that it provides common principles, General Assembly on 19th December resulted in the final text of the GCM.” frameworks, and specific objectives and only 5 countries voted against What’s next? JRS Australia to improve cooperation and the GCM. Australia abstained on the presented at a conference on the coordination in addressing the vote but mentioned that it won’t be implementation of the global complexity of global migration. adopting. compacts organised by JRS Cambodia The GCR focuses on strengthening JRS Australia’s Director, Carolina in late November 2018. The Jesuit international responses to large Gottardo attended the Marrakech Asia Pacific Conference (JCAP) movements of refugees and UN Conference for the adoption of Migration group has identified addressing protracted refugee the GCM, as part of what was named advocacy on the Global Compacts as situations. as “Migration Week.” During the a key priority for this year, following JRS Australia is committed to implementation of the GCM, Aljazeera Pope’s Francis clear commitment to advocating for refugees, people interviewed Ms Gottardo about the these historic instruments and his 20 seeking asylum and migrants in GCM and its importance; “It is beneficial Action Points. vulnerable situations at national, for member states to adopt the GCM. It is Later this year, JRS Australia will regional and international levels. actually a collective effort of 192 member also attend the JCAP workshop Throughout the consultations and states that have worked together to agree on the implementation of the negotiations of both Compacts, JRS on a framework that is fair on human compacts in South Korea. JRS Australia and the Asia Pacific Refugee mobility. It is based on internationally and APRRN are also involved with Rights Network (APRRN) were agreed standards that have worked for broader discussions on Compacts’ committed and active participants. the last 70 years. It is a concerted effort implementation at the UN and to expand the state’s ability to work in a Ironically, the Marrakech UN civil society level to ensure that coordinated and cooperative framework Conference almost immediately they translate into real changes to that is beneficial for all of them.” followed the Australian Liberal the lives of refugees and migrants government’s own decision not to In an op-ed in Eureka Street called, on the ground. JRS will continue adopt the GCM. JRS has led efforts “Australia misses GCM boat but it’s not advocating for the adoption of the of many civil and social justice too late,” Ms Gottardo made it clear GCM in Australia and for effective based organisations, all critical of that it “is not too late for the Australian implementation of both Compacts. cont from p2 communal meal with other women in the possibility, indicating that they had limited time and group. In the afternoon, different activities such as art resources to see Taronga otherwise. 30 women and their classes, dance and cake decorating will allow women to children had a day at the zoo and enjoyed themselves. connect with others and take their minds off some of JRS Australia wishes to thank Women NSW for funding the difficulties in their lives. this important project. We also thank the women of the In early March, JRS also organised a Sunday trip to Finding Safety space for their strength and resilience. Taronga Zoo. Women leaders in the group raised the

link 3 Save the date: 14th April 2019 PALM SUNDAY “2019 MARCH FOR REFUGEES” Event details: 1.15pm Meet at (near the Panda Express) at Central Station.Together, we then will go to Belmore Park for a 30 minute "Circle of Silence." 2.00pm We march for refugees.

Each year, Australians stand with people seeking asylum and refugees on Palm Sunday. This year, JRS Australia will be coordinating a contingent of supporters to participate in the March for Refugees on Palm Sunday in Sydney. We invite you to march with us! Pope Francis tells us to offer humanity to refugees and people seeking asylum. As Christians, it is our mission to welcome, protect, promote and integrate them into our communities. RSVP. Come along! All welcome. Get your community group, family, friend, parish or school involved. Ahead of the event, JRS will also be making banners, signs and posters. For more details on marching with JRS and to RSVP please email Anne Rutherford: [email protected] P: (02) 9356 3888

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Jesuit Refugee Service Australia • ph: 02 9356 3888 • fax: 02 9356 3021 • email: [email protected] • web: www.jrs.org.au

If undeliverable return to: Jesuit Refugee Service Australia PRINT POSTAGE PO Box 522 POST Kings Cross NSW 1340 PAID PP236873/00020 PP236873/00021 AUSTRALIA