TEAR Representatives are a vital link between TEAR's work overseas and our supporters in Australia.
Date: 25-27 July 2008
Location: Stanwell Tops Conference Centre
Key Speakers/leaders/musicians: Vinoth Ramachandra from Sri Lanka, Ched Myers and Elaine Enns from the US, Kuki Rokhum from India and Trish Watts from Australia.
For many years, TEAR has partnered with Indigenous Christian groups in Australia. In 2008, we have launched the Common Wealth program to bring these partnerships together under one banner.
Talking about the use of revenue raised from the Government's proposed Emissions Trading Scheme, the Treasurer recently told Channel 9:
There will be revenue raised from an emissions trading system and every cent of that revenue will certainly be used to assist either households or the business community with the impacts of this scheme.
TEAR Australia agrees it is important to ensure that low-income households in Australia are able to cope with the price rises from emissions trading. But there are other households around the world already being affected by climate change, and other important uses for the money too. We can't let the Treasurer ignore our international obligations when he decides how to allocate revenue from the emissions trading scheme.
Please take action now to ensure that some of this revenue is used to support poor countries as they cope with the effects of climate change.
In July and August, federal politicians take a break from Parliament House in Canberra. It's the perfect opportunity to visit them in their electorate and encourage them to take action against poverty and in support of the Millennium Development Goals.
TEAR Australia for the Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History campaigns, has developed a clear and concise MP visit kit that will make your visit easy and effective. The kit includes:
Join in to write hand-written letters with your church, school, group, friends - or on your own - to tell Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that we want to do our fair share to halve global poverty by 2015.
Voices for Justice
Micah Challenge National Gathering
Canberra, 11th-14th October 2008
Come and join us for four days in Canberra during Anti-Poverty week to be a voice for justice for the poor. Beginner and seasoned campaigners of all ages are welcome. Learn about poverty and advocacy, pray and worship together, then put it all into action as we hold events and engage in conversations with our nation's leaders at Parliament House. Our specific ask last year for an additional $300m annually by 2010 for water and sanitation has been committed to by the government. That's the power of ordinary people speaking up. But much more needs to be done if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and halve global poverty by 2015. Raise your voice with us to encourage our politicians to keep our promises to the poor.
This year includes fantastic international speakers and a special program for under 18s.
Can't come to Canberra? You can still add your voice by taking part in the Offering of Letters to contribute to the letters we will present to the Prime Minister at Parliament House. A step-by-step kit will be available on the Micah Challenge website.
Early bird discounted regos close 1st August. Final registrations close 1st September. Numbers are limited. Get in quick. See the attached brochure or register online now at http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/pages/content.asp?plid=205
After the great success and wonderful feedback from last year's exhibtion - Create to Advocate 08 Art Exhibition & Competiton is now on!
Create to Advocate Art Exhibition, Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History proudly present:
Create to Advocate 08 Art Competition and Exhibition
Parliament House, Canberra
6 October– 2 November2008
Subscribe (TAS):