BRIGHTON DEANERY

BRIGHTON CATHOLIC DEANERY

FORUM
in support of the
UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Brighton Catholic Deanery recently held a Public Forum in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Community minded people came to hear about the dominant theme, and to address the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY goal. There was a great turn out, and the speakers did not disappoint.

It is a BIG goal, to Make Poverty History. But seeds were sewn that night, and new enthusiasm born. Most people attending remember and know ofLive Aid, so it is an issue we're quite fondly aware of. Many connections were made, and ideas propagated. You will hear of more forums in the future. So now to a brief rundown of the night.

Mary Ann Collins from Caritas Australia gave a very telling demonstration of how privileged (in every sense) the majority of us are in Australia. Not that any one was surprised to know that, but we were reminded of how 'over privileged' we are compared to 80% of the world's population. We were reminded that the balance of power and therefore responsibility were part of that privilege. From her personal work base and experience, she inspired all with 'food for thought'. And how we take our next meal for granted...

Bruce Duncan CSsR, Co-ordinator of the Social Justice Studies at Yarra Theological Union Box Hill, gave us the economic news. And that is that Australia is not reaching the UN Aid target of 0.7%. Military spending, economic and market 'fundamentalism', weak trade policies that benefit already wealthy nations, are making a mockery of Australia's 'commitment'. Bruce's immense experience and knowledge educated and inspired.

All political parties were represented at the Forum. Kathy Foley from the Liberal Party, Sue Pennicuik from the Greens, Paul Kavanagh from the Democrats, Barney Cooney from Labour, and John McSwinney from Family First. They all spoke of their party’s commitment to foreign aid, debt relief, and the importance of community effort. Lets hope the bureaucratic tape doesn't block this enthusiasm.

Young and old were there to listen and ask questions. We now know there are more of us to inspire and inform others, along with the videos, CDs, booklets and contacts. We hope to see you at the next Forum!


Speakers at the Brighton Deanery Forum (L to R)
Cameron Eastman [Family First Party], MaryAnne Collins [Caritas Australia], Collette Foxworthy [Deanery Resource Co-ordinator] KathyFoley [Liberal Party - representing Andrew Robb], Paul Kavanagh [Australian Democrats] Fr Bruce Duncan CSsR, Sue Pennicuik [Greens Party] Barney Cooney [Australian Labor Party]


Fr Bruce Duncan explains the importance of achieving the UN Millennium
Development Goals at St James Gardenvale   


Political speakers listen attentively to Mary Anne Collins from Caritas Australia

"It remains an obligation in justice and the service of human dignity to attain and even surpass the Millennium Development Goals, thereby establishing an essential pre-condition for peace and collective security...the poor cannot wait."

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State,
United Nations Summit, New York, September 2005

“I wish to state that failure to honour the repeated promises of government aid for development, the still unresolved question of the heavy foreign debt of African countries and the failure to give those countries special consideration in international commercial relations, represent grave obstacles to peace which urgently need to be addressed and resolved.”
 
JOHN PAUL II

Brighton Deanery