Tasmanian schools'
Justice Action Network
The Justice Action Network is a collection of students and teachers from schools in Hobart who work together on justice issues. The network has existed for more than 10 years. Members meet monthly at different schools.
In 2008, the Justice Action Network won the inaugural Tasmanian Human Rights School Award.
Background | Recent Actions | Justice Action Day | Next meeting | Contact
May 10 2008:
Protest of information
censorship in China
Students got together on Parliament House Lawns
on 10 May to protest the censorship of information, particularly on the
internet, in China. Restricting the internet helps Chinese leaders to
hide information on activities such as the death penalty, torture and
the persecution of human rights defenders.
The
students arrived at 10am and decorated the lawns with streamers, banners
and a brick fence made of cardboard, representing the ‘Great Firewall of
China.” Speakers for the event included Lisa Singh from the ALP, Nick
McKim from the Greens, Sonam, a former Tibetan Buddhist monk and
students Jamila Fontana from Elizabeth College and Jack Tegg from
Guilford Young College. Some
great justice songs were performed by
Guilford Young College’s Mr. Tony Brennan. The Friends School provided
an excellent drama performance. Many of those present, including passers
by were daubed with face paint. A petition was circulated and many
signatures gathered.
We were lucky to have a guest speaker who happened to be at the
Salamanca markets that day. This woman was from Burma and formerly
lectured at Rangoon University. She told us about human rights abuses in
Burma/Myanmar and the devastation caused by the recent cyclone. She had
the crowd sing a Buddhist peace chant to finish her presentation.
It was great to see students and staff from the Government, Private and
Catholic sectors working together for a more just world.
The following article and photo are taken from JustNet, Volume 6, Issue 8, Sept/Oct 2008
Organisers
for Justice Action Day 2008 say they were overwhelmed with the responses
from both private and state schools from across the State for attendance
at what has become an annual event. 500 students from 22 schools, some
coming from as far away as the North-West Coast, attended the one day
event at the Hobart College in early September, said student organiser,
Jamila Fontana.
“This was an overwhelming response to an event where young people can see themselves making a difference in the issues of poverty and social justice not just in Australia but across the world,” Ms Fontana said.
“The theme focus of Justice Action Day 2008 was to encourage the Federal Government to implement millennium development goals as a matter of urgency in order to tackle issues of poverty and homelessness.
The keynote speaker this year was Father Frank Brennan AO SJ, a
Jesuit priest and lawyer. Fr Brennan is Professor of Law in the
Institute of Legal Studies, at the Australian Catholic University.
Senior politicians, Michael Hodgman, Lisa Singh and Cassie O’Connor,
made a forum, along with Fr Brennan, during which issues of social
justice were debated.
Following the keynote address and forum, students moved into workshops
where they covered issues such as advocacy, making poverty history,
indigenous rights, voluntary work and politics and action. Ms Fontana
said that as a result of Justice Action Day in 2007, a delegation of
students and teachers from the Justice Action Network had gone to
Canberra to present the outcomes to senior politicians.
“It is hoped that given the potential strength of Justice Action Day
2008 that, as advocates for the young people of Tasmania, we can relay
these outcomes back to Canberra with the request for continuing action
by the Federal Government.”
To find out more about Justice Action Day 2008 download the brochure or the school invitation.
The Justice Action Network started life as the Amnesty Schools network about 12 years ago. The first Amnesty Schools meeting was on Sunday 6th May 1996 at The Friends' School with 11 students; the guest speaker was a Chinese academic working at the University of Tasmania.
The initiator of the group was Peter Jones from The Friends' School, who is still a member and strong supporter of the Justice Action Network. The idea has always been that the network includes students from government, Catholic and other independent schools and is run by students with the support of teachers.
Over the years, other than The Friends' School, schools involved have included , Hobart College, Guilford Young College, Ogilvie High, Fahan School, Sacred Heart College, Elizabeth College, St Virgil's, Collegiate, MacKillop College, St Mary's College and New Town High.
The main activities have included many protests on Parliament House lawns, the Battle of the Bands, Youth Summits, drama performances, organising Justice Action Day and letter writing.
Justice Action Day 2008 was attended by 500 secondary students from
around Tasmania. The day provided students with the opportunity to learn
about human rights and effective action from organisations such as
Amnesty, Caritas, World Vision and Oxfam.
Student representatives of the Justice Action Network have also visited
Canberra to present their views to members of Parliament on how
Australia should be progressing the Millennium Development Goals.
Many of the students involved in the Network have gone on to careers and
leadership positions in social justice and human rights.
The group met recently to plan for 2009. Students attending included representatives from St James College and Claremont High, two new schools to the network, so the future is looking bright.
Eamonn Pollard, a teacher at Guilford Young College, is the current
coordinator.
To find out more about the Network contact Eamonn Pollard (03) 6211-7916.