"Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men who were not opposing you.” James 5:4-6
Voices for Justice
Dates for Voices for Justice 2009
The dates for Voices for Justice 09 have now been announced. The Micah Challenge national gathering and lobbying trip will take place in Canberra on 12-15 October, 2009. Please put the dates in your diary now!
NEWS**
Click here to download a report for MPs about Voices for Justice, delivered to Parliament House in November 2008.
Voices for Justice 08 was a great success. Participants made a huge impact on our Nation's leaders with more than 100 visits with politicians and their advisors and 28 speeches made in parliament so far. Thank you to everyone who came to Canberra and used their voice to speak up for those in need.
__________________________________________________________________________
The participants pack with essential and extra reading is now ready. Click here to download the pack.
Voices for Justice Public Events - click here to download an invitation.
Registrations for Voices for Justice have now closed. To get involved in raising your voice for justice, please take part in Offering of Letters. The kit is now available to download. Take part with your church, school or group between July and September to add to the letters that we will present to the Prime Minister at Parliament House during Voices for Justice.
Bruce Baird will join us for Voices for Justice on Sunday to share his experience from many years as a member of State and Federal Parliament.
Rev Joel Edwards, one of our keynote speakers, is to become the new International Director of Micah Challenge and also joins Tony Blair's Faith Foundation. Click here for more information.
Join us in Canberra this October as we speak out, pray, worship, learn and engage in conversations with our nation's leaders calling for global poverty to be halved by 2015. The 2008 program, held during Anti-Poverty week, promises opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to be transformed by the Spirit, so we can help transform our world.
Speakers
Program Highlights
Important Details
Can't make the conference?
Live in Canberra?
Create to Advocate
Help Needed
Click on one of the headings above to go to the section you wish to view.
Speakers include:
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Rev Dr Joel Edwards - Chair of Micah Challenge International and Chairperson of the World Evangelical Alliance. Joel has many years experience linking faith, media, social issues and politics, in the UK and internationally. For more on Joel, click here.
Dr Melba Padilla Maggay - Founder and President of the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC), in the Philippines. Melba has combined Biblical perspectives on the Kingdom and politics with practical insights on campaigning.
For more info on Melba, click here.
Tim Dixon - Political advisor, lawyer and economist. Tim combines intelligent, honest insight and humour as a person of faith in the political system.
Bruce Baird - Serving in State and Federal politics for many years, Bruce Baird will share his insights from a Parliamentarian's perspective.
PLUS...
Alex Maroya - former Government and Economic Coordinator for the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), now works for Universities Australia.
Scott Higgins - Advocacy and Education Officer, Baptist World Aid Australia.
Jack de Groot - CEO, Caritas Australia.
Amanda Jackson - National Coordinator, Micah Challenge Australia.
Program Highlights:
Saturday 11 October
Registration from 1pm
Lobby group preparation
World Cafe, live music and interviews with main speakers
Sunday 12 October
Insider Insights with Tim Dixon and Bruce Baird
Seminars and Workshops
Lobby group preparation and prayer
Worship service with Melba Maggay and Joel Edwards
Monday 13 October
Devotions and prayer
0.7 Paper Launch
Politician visits
Seminars and workshops
Parliamentary Question time
Panel discussion on Faith and Politics
Tuesday 14 October
Devotions and prayer
Politician visits
Opening of Create to Advocate Art Exhibition
Forum on Politics and Poverty
Final prayer, concluding 6.30pm
*Program is subject to change.
Important details:
Date:
Saturday 11 October, 1pm - Tuesday 14 October, 6.30pm 2008.
Registrations close 1st September.
Venues:
Parliament House, Canberra and Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest. (Venues are within walking distance from each other)
Accommodation:
If possible, please organise your own accomodation (a list of accommodation options can be provided). Otherwise, you can request accommodation with billets for a small fee.
Meals:
Dinner will be provided on Saturday and Sunday evening. Participants will need to arrange other meals (Lunch can be purchased at Parliament House on Monday and Tuesday).
Transport:
Participants will need to make their own way to and from Canberra. If transport is required within Canberra between venues/airport/bus interchange, please indicate this on your registration.
Please Note:
Final registrations close 1st September.
Click here to download a brochure.
Essential reading material for Voices for Justice participants will be made available on this web page in September. Keep this page bookmarked!
Can't come to Canberra?
You can still make an impact by:
- Committing to pray for lobby groups as we visit politicians.
- Entering an artwork in Create to Advocate.
- Taking part in the Offering of Letters. We would love to have thousands of letters from Christians around the country to present to the Prime Minister in Parliament House during Voices for Justice, encouraging him to help make poverty history. Get your church, school or small group to join in between July and September. Download the step-by-step kit.
Live in Canberra?
Are you part of a church, school or group in Canberra? Help us make a big impact in the host city by getting your group to:
- Display a Micah Challenge banner during October (order one from Micah Challenge or create your own!)
- Take part in the Offering of Letters between July and September
- Host a Micah Challenge speaker on Sunday morning 12th October
- Volunteer for Voices for Justice (see all the fun options below)
If you can say yes to any of these options, please fill in this response form and contact Kerstin Wallace at voicesforjustice@incanberra.com.au or (02) 6288 7894 or 0415 632 502.
Create to Advocate:
The Create to Advocate art competition and exhibition is run by Micah Challenge to encourage artists to use the creativity to speak up about justice for the poor. Successful entrants will have their artwork displayed in Parliament House during October, with the official opening of the exhibition and winning artists being announced during Voices for Justice. Click here for more information.
Voices for Justice helpers needed:
We need lots of helpful people in order for Voices for Justice to run smoothly! Could this be you?
Volunteer Internships:
We are currently advertising for volunteer interns in the areas of Media Relations and Events Management. The positions will provide the interns with valuable professional experience.
Click here to download the position descriptions.
Sydney-based volunteers needed:
Office volunteers needed. Please contact our office.
Canberra-based volunteers needed:
- Meals - Volunteers needed to help with cooking and serving meals on 11 & 12October during Voices for Justice in Canberra
- Venue team - Volunteers needed for set up and pack up of venue, 11-14 October
- Art exhibition - Volunteers needed to help install and de-install the Create to Advocate art exhibition in October and November.
- Transport - Volunteers with vehicles needed to help transport Voices for Justice delegates around Canberra from 10-14 October.
- Billeting - Hosts in Canberra needed to provide bed and breakfast for Voices for Justice delegates between 10-15 October
If you are in Canberra and can help, please contact Kerstin Wallace at voicesforjustice@incanberra.com.au or (02) 6288 7894 or 0415 632 502.
For more information please contact:
Carlyn Chen:
voices@micahchallenge.org.au
Ph: 0411 772 918
(02) 9453 1586