Justice and Peace Events

Peace Gathering
to mark the 2nd anniversary of the illegal US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq
and Australia's complicity in the war.  An informal gathering in a public place to mourn the 100,000 dead,  to call once again for non-violent alternatives to war, and to experience solidarity with others who feel the same.

Alford Place
(cnr. Victoria & Margaret Sts., next to City Library)
Saturday, March 19th, 2005
9.00am to 12.00noon  (byo banners, flowers, signs & symbols of peace)

Tutors Needed

Weekly secondary homework tutoring classes which run from Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support Centre (TRAMS) require extra tutors.  If you have an hour and a half of your time to share, you will be making a great contribution to a young person’s life.  Tutoring sessions take place every Thursday between 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.  For more information contact Mark on 46130895 or TRAMS on 46329285.

Living in Harmony

A six a side soccer tournament will take place this Sunday 20^th March at 1.30 p.m. at Harristown State High School Playing Fields.  This is part of a Living in Harmony Grant which has a number of Sudanese children playing soccer with the Hawks soccer club.  There will be African food and a game with the Sudanese Youth Team and the local Police.  For all Harmony Day Events see www.harmony.gov.au

Anniversary of Death of Archbishop Oscar Romero

This Holy Thursday (24^th March) marks the 25^th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero.  Archbishop Romero was a wonderful advocate for his people and his prayerful actions for peace have inspired many people across the world. There will be a simple (half hour) reflection on the life and thought of Oscar Romero.  Shrine Chapel 5.15 p.m.  Thursday 24^th March.  For more information contact Mark Copland on 46130895 or email justice@twb.catholic.org.au

Chris Sarra – First Aboriginal Principal of Cherbourg and Queenslander of the Year will be delivering a keynote address for the annual Social Justice Commission Reference Group Gathering.  Saturday 9^th April, St Anthony’s School Hall 10 a.m.  All are welcome.  For more information contact Mark Copland on 46130895 or email justice@twb.catholic.org.au

Trafficking of Women 

Sr Louise Cleary, congregational leader of the Brigidine Order will make a presentation on the international issue of the trafficking of women.  Tuesday 12^th April 7 p.m.  St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Centre.  For more information contact Mark Copland on 46130895 or email justice@twb.catholic.org.au

Warwick Peace Festival (23^rd April – 1^st May)

            Peace Education Seminar

Saturday 23^rd April. This seminar will focus on peace studies in schools (e.g. SOSE and other curriculum areas) school culture (including anti-bullying and peer mediation) and inner peace (e.g. use of quiet time in schools).

            Positive Communication in Relationships

Wednesday 27^th April. Linda Pullen, Mercy Family Services, Goodna. Linda co-ordinates the Men and Relationships Program at the Peace Centre in Goodna.

            “The Third Way” –an introduction to the philosophy and practice of active non-violence.

Tuesday 26^th April. Garry Hills, Secretary of Peace Partners (Southern Queensland). This workshop asks the question must we accept that a violent world is inevitable and a peaceful one impossible and explores ways to break cycles of violence.

            Family Squabbles – Sorting it out Peacefully

Wednesday 27^th April. Jan Dugan (Psychologist) and Pam Burley (Youth worker) will explore ways of making family  life more peaceful.

            Personal Stories – Ordinary Blokes Finding Peace

Thursday 28^th April, 7-9 pm, Warwick Cowboys Club Rooms.

This forum will present the personal journeys of three “ordinary blokes” who have found ways of dealing with anger and aggression in non-violent ways. With diverse backgrounds and experiences, they will provide young men with role models of how to tackle issues on their own path to maturity.

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            Forum: Peace – Your Own Contribution

Sunday 1^st May. An extraordinary Australian, Donna Mulhearn, who travelled to Iraq to become a human shield has made herself available for the Peace Festival.  She will look at the issue of the ordinary person’s contribution to peace.

            Culture of peace workshops

Tuesday 26^th and Wednesday 27^th April. These facilitated workshops aim to provide the individual with practical guidance on a number of topics pertaining to the culture of peace and personal development.

Concerts and Arts Workshops

            TaikOz Concerts

The extraordinary energy and virtuosity of internationally acclaimed drumming group TaikOz will open the Peace Festival at their concert on Saturday 23^rd April The concert will be promoted to towns further afield such as Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Stanthorpe, so that more country people have the opportunity to experience musicians of such a high calibre. Tickets will go on sale soon.

            TaikOz workshops

TaikOz will offer “Introduction to Wadaiko” workshops for the general public during their visit to Warwick. These workshops will be on Sunday 24^th and Monday 25^th April, and are suitable for beginners. More experienced drummers might like to participate in the advanced workshop, a series of three sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings.

            Concert for Peace

A free concert will bring to a close the Peace Expo in Queens Park on Saturday 30^th April. This concert will be headlined by the internationally acclaimed duo, Stringmansassy and will have performances by the Boat People, as well as local artists. For more details please see the Festival website.

            Youth Arts Workshops

An Arts Mentoring project has been conceived as one of the ongoing activities associated with the Peace Festival project. The first workshops in this program of activities will  commence on the first weekend of the Festival (the Anzac Day long weekend : 23rd – 25th April). The workshops include rock band and rap workshops mentored by experienced young people currently playing and rapping in the Brisbane music scene; and poetry, singing and acting workshops conducted by professional performers whose chosen field of expertise is arts education for youth.

            Peace Expo Workshops

                        There will be a range of workshops on offer at the Peace Expo on Saturday 30^th April, including explorations of colour, “found” instrument making, Middle Eastern dance, African drumming, rap, knitting, crochet, Gospel singing and more. Details will be available soon on the Festival website at www.peacefestival.org.au.

Film Festival

            Forest of Love (30 mins. Documentary)

                        Interviews Australian artist and mystic William Ricketts in the setting of his world-famous sanctuary in the Dandenong Ranges.

            The Man Who Planted Trees (30 mins. Animation).

                        The true story of Frenchman who transformed a desert region in the French Alps to a beautiful, thriving landscape and an economically vibrant region.

            A Force More Powerful

                        This series of films dealing with historical examples of non-violence, each film will  be introduced by a peace scholar or worker, who will facilitate audience discussion at the end of the screening.

            Peace One Day

                        The inspiring story of Jeremy Gilley, who as a young man was inspired to do something for world peace. He took a video recorder and knocked on the door of world leaders, galvanizing support for a UN resolution calling for combatants to lay down their weapons and have peace for one day each year.

More films will be posted on the Festival website as they are confirmed.

Schools Program

Images and Words of Peace

Primary  and secondary school students are being invited  to express their thoughts on poeace in paintings, drawings, poems and stories. These will be displayed during the Festival at the Rose City Shopping Centre.

Greenhouse Lab

The Greenhouse Lab from Griffith University has been hired for the duration of the Festival. It includes practical models illustrating renewable energy and energy conservation in a simple and attractive way. It will be displayed and demonstrated at the Sustainable Living Expo 0n April 23-24.

Music Workshop

Music and lyrics for a musical work with peace as the core theme will be developed in workshops, culminating with a performance at the Peace Expo on Saturday 30^th April.

Sustainable Living Expo

Living within our means  regarding water and energy and living in harmony with nature are important for our future. Primary and secondary science students are invited to submit designs, models or projects on sustainable energy usage to be exhibited at the Sustainable Living Expo on the weekend of 23-24^th April.

            You Can Make a Difference – Roadshow for Secondary Schools

                        Friday 29^th April, Warwick Town Hall

Speakers: Merlin Luck – musician and human rights activist

            Ross Daniels – lecturer in human rights, QUT

            Andrea Perry-Petersen – lawyer and Amnesty International

These outstanding speakers will present material relevant to all students, particularly those studying social sciences.

For more information on the Peace Festival Contact Jan on Phone: 4661 3340  Fax: 4667 1333 

Email: jgudkovs@gil.com.au.