Firstly, what is the ICM? Good question! At AIA (Amnesty International Australia) we love our acronyms! ICM stands for the International Council Meeting. This is the largest decision making forum at Amnesty International and was held in August this year in Rome. I had the privilege of being able to volunteer at this important event. …
Type Archives:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe”: 5 questions with Stonefield on supporting refugees
1000 musicians, 300 homes, 60 countries… all for one act of welcome you don’t want to miss. Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds have joined forces to create small-scale gigs taking place all across the world on the same night, to support refugees worldwide. It’s happening on 20 September and people have until 10 September to …
Acknowledgement of Country: What does it mean to you?
The practice of Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to welcome visitors to their land. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups have clear boundaries separating their Country from other groups. Crossing into another group’s Country required permission to enter — like gaining a visa — and when …
Continue reading “Acknowledgement of Country: What does it mean to you?”
Let National Wattle Day end the Australia Day arguments
Today marks the first day of spring and National Wattle Day – a century-old celebration of Australia and its people. President of the Wattle Day Association, Terry Fewtrell, believes linking Australia Day with Wattle Day could unite the country. Mark of progress First it was Fremantle, then Hobart and now Melbourne. Something is stirring. Local …
Continue reading “Let National Wattle Day end the Australia Day arguments”
Activist insight: Georgina Perry
Long term supporter, activist and former Amnesty President, Georgina Perry chats to Charles Rozario about what inspires her continued support. Georgina shares how it all started from her days as a secondary school student to life today as a mum and community lawyer. When did it all begin for you? I think it was during …
Human rights reads for kids and young adults
It’s never too early to learn about human rights. Check out our list of inspiring books for children and young adults to take you and your family into spring. Younger readers aged 3–7 Welcome by Barroux This book tells the story of three polar bears adrift in the ocean after part of their ice float …
Continue reading “Human rights reads for kids and young adults”
For human rights, winter is coming
By Anna Neistat, Senior Director for Research, Amnesty International Even if you haven’t seen Game of Thrones, you know the iconic, sinister saying. In the TV show, it is muttered meaningfully as a warning not only that after a long summer a harsh winter is ahead, but that winter brings with it an existential threat …
Indigenous girls at risk in detention
A year on from the Four Corners episode exposing the torture and abuse of Indigenous boys at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in the Northern Territory, independent inquiries reveal Indigenous girls are also being abused in centres around Australia. The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in detention is rising. According to the …
Craig Quartermaine: The highs and lows of being an Indigenous comedian
By Craig Quartermaine 9 August is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. To mark this day we asked comedian, NITV journalist and Nyoongar man Craig Quartermaine to chat with us about the highs and lows of being an Indigenous comedy performer. The life of a travelling comedian isn’t the most glamorous occupation when you’re …
Continue reading “Craig Quartermaine: The highs and lows of being an Indigenous comedian”
VPNs are a vital defence against censorship – but they’re under attack
You have probably heard of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), right? They’re those things you use to stream movies online in other countries that are annoyingly blocked in yours. If VPNs were banned, how would you watch the latest robot apocalypse blockbuster online without having to wait a whole year? Now imagine that the online content …
Continue reading “VPNs are a vital defence against censorship – but they’re under attack”