A basic human right

For the past four years, I have spent my Friday afternoons in the home of a Sudanese family who came seeking asylum from their country. Each Friday, I work with three of their children and last night was no different. Except for an announcement from our government. 

While I was in the warmth of their home, Kevin Rudd, the man who calls himself leader of our country, was announcing that asylum seekers who arrive by boat will have simply no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees. Instead of keeping our agreement to the Refugee Convention and our values as Australians with “boundless plains to share”, our government has agreed for asylum seekers to be processed and resettled in Papua New Guinea. 

Papua New Guinea, the poorest country in the Asia-Pacific that has endured many years of political instability and in-country conflict resulting in a breakdown of infrastructure. This is the country Kevin Rudd has deemed suitable for the immense and complicated task of processing and resettling refugees. Just recently I finished working on the Live Below the Line campaign, where I was raising awareness and funds for the people of Papua New Guinea as more than half their population are living on less than $2AU each day. These funds were to go towards assisting the young people of Papua New Guinea to access education where there is a severe lack and to gain the necessary skills needed for employment. Yet, this is the same country where Kevin Rudd believes is the right place for the already vulnerable people seeking asylum from their countries. 

I currently have a family friend who is working with Save the Children in Papua New Guinea. I have heard first hand of the conditions there. The conflict and instability has not passed with time. Each day, there are large armed guards at her hotel and place of work. Even our own government recognises the dangers of travelling there and warns Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea” through their Smart Travellers website. Yet, this is the country Kevin Rudd has agreed to send those seeking asylum at our shores. 

“Australia has international obligations to protect the human rights of all asylum seekers and refugees who arrive in Australia, regardless of how or where they arrive with or without a visa.”

~ Australian Human Rights Commission

How can it be that our government can pass such a ridiculous and unjust policy that goes against our international obligations and the compassion of the Australian people? I do not understand one iota what went through Rudd’s head as he signed that document. Kevin Rudd, a fellow Christian, was certainly not asking himself the question of “what would Jesus do?” Jesus, who I may point out, had to seek asylum and flee from his home country just like those seeking refuge at our borders. But Kevin Rudd did not think. He just signed.

We can make him think. We will make him listen. We have to do what is just.

Australia must take action and rally against this unbelievable injustice. So please, I ask of you to call, write, email, paint the sky with messages of human rights. Seeking asylum is not illegal, we will help our neighbours.

Australia has obligations to not return or send people to countries where they will face risks of violation of human rights, whether they are proven to be refugees or not. Kevin Rudd, I believe has lost his sense of human rights. 

We need to make Kevin Rudd see that he is not leading Australia in a positive direction.

The latest antics of Tara Lee

It has been awhile since I have had a chance to just sit beneath the Peace Tree. I am at an exciting moment in my life where I have received my final results for honours and can begin to embrace the real world outside of my cocoon of study.

So in the past month, I have thrown all my energy into a campaign I am incredibly passionate about.  Live Below the Line, is an Oaktree Foundation initiative where participants feed themselves on $2 a day for five days while raising funds and awareness for the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty each day. 

Personally, I love this campaign as it is more than just a fundraising campaign. Live Below the Line encourages personal awareness through experiencing a "taste" of what it is like to live in extreme poverty while also creating countless conversations about this important issue and what can be done about it.

My role as Geelong Coordinator has had its share of challenges but nothing beats that feeling when you are surrounded by people who are as passionate as you are. My lovely Geelong LBL ninjas helped me paper Geelong with posters and chalked messages of ending extreme poverty. 

I have also hosted a Whovian Dinner Below the Line, given presentations to local community groups, contacted MPs, about to hold a Live Below the Line kitchen tea, started organising a celebration fundraiser, and have very talented friends who created an amazing Live Below the Line video.

As you can see it's been a busy month of Live Below the Line but I love it. 

Outside of the world of Oaktree, I have started my search for employment. I believe that working in early intervention is where my heart lies and I look forward to embracing the world of the paediatric occupational therapist very soon. 

So where am I now? Quite literally sitting in a library about to do a Live Below the Line presentation. But where am I really? I can confidently say, I am in a happy place. 

You can join Live Below the Line or sponsor me here. 

UK leading the way

The United Kingdom, the land that has brought Enid Blyton tales and the wonderful world of Doctor Who into my life. Now, the United Kingdom has brought hope. Not just into my life but into 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty and those who are campaigning for an end to extreme poverty. 

Yesterday it was announced that the United Kingdom will now allocate 70 pence out of every 100 pounds of their national budget towards foreign aid. This is such an exciting and historic moment as the UK become the first country to reach this target of 0.7% GNI. 

With such important steps, the United Kingdom is now leading the way for an end to extreme poverty. Now for Australia to follow. 

To join the Movement to End Poverty and encourage our nation to follow in the UK's footsteps by committing to 0.7% GNI for foreign aid head to www.endpoverty.com.au

A reminder of values

Today I was asked to do a presentation at Clonard College, my old high school. The focus of my presentation was the Movement to End Poverty and the power young people have to make a difference in our world. 

As I listened to the teacher introduce me to her young Year 10 students, I realised just how far I have come since sitting in those very same school chairs. My confidence and approach on life has changed since my own Year 10 days. I have always shown an interest in helping others but now I know just how much of a difference I can make. 

I began to speak about the impact the Oaktree Foundation has had on my life. Through campaigns, camps and trainings I have learned so much. I learned that I have a voice! That I can truly make a difference in our world. The Oaktree Foundation was one of the first organisations where I really felt listened to and valued as a fellow activist. I learned that I was not alone in working towards an end to extreme poverty!

I continued with my presentation highlighting the strong voice and power that young people have in creating positive change in our world. The importance of aid and what it has done for our global community was discussed with some great questions asked. I remember feeling confident in all I said. I have come a long way in confidence and knowledge of my self and social justice issues since I sat in the classroom in my dress and blazer. 

After my presentation, I was invited to stay and assist in their classroom while they worked on their community service projects. It was such a great experience talking with students in smaller groups as they explained their understanding of the Catholic social justice principles and how they relate to the work that organisations do within the global community. 

Having these conversations discussing the Catholic social justice principles was a lovely reminder of the values I believe in. These principles are the foundations that have shaped the work that I do. To me, these social justice principles are no longer just print in a book but are now incorporated throughout my life. 

Human dignity, working towards a common good, assisting the poor, participation and social inclusion, solidarity and subsidiarity, and to show stewardship for all creation. This is what I believe in and follow each day.

I will continue to work for a peaceful and just world for all. I hope that you will join me. 

Difficult decisions

My roadtrip bag just sits there. My campaign flag is folded up neatly. My ambassador T-shirt and lanyard resting on top. 

Day one into the road trip and my knee decided to have a hissy fit. Well not exactly a hissy fit but I did manage to aggravate an old knee injury. End result: return home from the road trip. 

Life really is made up of difficult decisions and I can honestly say this was one of them. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to be able to go on this road trip. Especially after the last road trip I had been accepted as an ambassador but couldn't go because I was on crutches at the time.  I remember thinking just last week how brilliant it was that there was nothing physically stopping me for going on this road trip and it felt good. Till the end of day one that is.

So I had to make the tough decision to return home and not continue campaigning my way to the lawns of parliament. Now, it would be all to easy for me to feel defeated by this Roadtrip. I mean I didn't even make it out of the state but I refuse to feel defeated or knocked down. Yes my knee hurts, yes I'm not physically on the RT but it doesn't mean I can't continue campaigning. 

All day I have been having conversations about ending extreme poverty. With friends, family, colleagues and even strangers. Yesterday alone I collected 54 signatures. Because of my knee I had to see my doctor yesterday ... walked out with his signature on the petition. Every person, every opportunity. 

I may still be in my home town but I am determined to have my voice heard. I will continue to campaign for what I know is right.

An end to extreme poverty, that's what I'm working towards. Will you join me?

You can sign the petition here at endpoverty.com.au
 

Our voices loud and clear

The Oaktree Foundation has shown me time and time again the power of young people. Yesterday began the Roadtrip to End Poverty, an amazing initiative where 1000 young, passionate Australians will be campaigning across our nation. 

Through the road trip, I have been blessed with brilliant new friendships. The road trip has offered opportunities that allow us to become the amazing, confident individuals that we can be. 

From ambassadors overcoming challenges of stepping out of their comfort zones as well as tackling the tricky questions, to the young ambassador who spoke these words at her school, I am proud to know them all.

"We may be young. We may not have much money, or be able to vote, or be old enough to drive. But we all have a voice and our voices together make noise loud enough to change the world."

~ Ebony Brown, 16

They all understand the importance of ending extreme poverty and show such inspiring determination in achieving this goal. 

One person can speak up, one person has a voice.

Imagine the sound of one thousand voices united with the Australian communities. With that volume they will have to listen and they will have to take action.

What we're asking is for the Australian Government to commit to 0.7% GNI by 2020. 
That's only 70c out of every $100. 

We have the potential to end extreme poverty in our lifetime. 

Australia should be a part of that movement. So will you use your voice?

You can sign our petition at endpoverty.com.au

Thank you for joining me in the movement to end poverty. 

The road awaits

Only three more nights spent at home in my bed before I will be venturing into communities across Australia with 1000 other young Australians with one message on our lips...will you join the movement to end poverty?

How are we planning on doing this? Well, young people have an amazing power to be heard, to make change in this world. So, imagine the energy of a thousand young people travelling and campaigning all across the nation with the same message: We can end extreme poverty in our life time, will you join the movement?

A week long of travelling, campaigning, petition signing and conversations about extreme poverty await us. We are ready. We are pumped. We can do this!

By Thursday, we will be on the lawns of our parliament. With the support of our communities behind us, we aim to get the government to commit to 0.7% GNI to foreign aid by 2020. If our country can commit to just 70 cents in every $100, we will have the potential to be a part of the end to extreme poverty.

Together we can end extreme poverty!


To join the movement head to endpoverty.com.au or text your name, post code and email address to 0467 777 333.