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Weekly News Summary No 151 compiled from Federal parliamentary and other sources relevant to Australiaís obligations to the United Nations ISSN 1035-218X No 235 November 10, 2000 Editor: Ian Mathews Ph:
(02) 6281 4025
Fax (02) 6285 2529 Earlier editions on website: www.unaa.org.au/fset.html Submissions called for IVF discrimination inquiry Defence review backs peacekeeping Women in war Peace monitoring team in Solomons 'Bioprospecting' inquiry opens Olympics discrimination payment Scrutiny of Bills seeks answers ... and gets some ministerial replies East Timor 'mistreatment' inquiry re-opened Climate Change conference, Protocol Australian Parliamentarians for West Papua NZ supported on nuclear disarmament at UN Treaty-making process alert Annual Reports:
APEC Action Plan and directory World Heritage Conference in Cairns Right to negotiate asserted Youth conference in Nepal UN news daily UN job websites and vacancies Diary dates and parliamentary inquiry hearings Submissions called for IVF discrimination inquiry The Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee wants submissions on its inquiry into the Sex Discrimination Amendment Bill (No 1) 2000 by November 13 and will hold public hearings on the legislation in Sydney on November 20, in Melbourne on November 21 and in Canberra on November 28. The Committee will report by December 4. The Federal legislation arises from a Federal Court decision in July which ruled that Victorian law prohibiting single women from accessing IVF programs in that state was in contravention of Federal anti-discrimination law. The court ruled that women in Victoria are not required to be married or in a de facto relationship in order to qualify for infertility treatment. Although the Federal Court ruling is being appealed to the High Court by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Women's Electoral Lobby will fight to have it upheld, the Federal Government announced that it would so amend the Commonwealth's Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to allow the States to make laws which against single women without breaching the Act. The Senate Legal and Constitution Legislation Committee has called for interested organisations and individuals to address the Bill's objective: "to enable the States and Territories to legislate to restrict access to assisted reproductive technology services on the basis of a person's marital status." No specific terms of reference have been set. For more information about the inquiry, call the Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 3560. Submissions should be transmitted by e-mail to: legcon.sen@aph.gov.au or posted to the Committee at Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600. For information on the proposed legislation and its text, access: www.aph.gov.au/senate_legal HREOC's Sex Discrimination website: www.hreoc.gov.au/sex_discrimination Women's Electoral Lobby (Vic) Ph (03)9614 1128 Fax (03)9629 2904. Catholic Church: www.catholic.org.au or call Jackie Brady on (02) 6201 9859 Earlier references in UNity Nos 139, July 28; 140 August 4,141, August 11; 150 November 3, 2000. To access these editions go to: www.unaa.org.au/fset.html
Defence review backs peacekeeping The public consultation process on Australia's defence, now published as Australian Perspectives on Defence: the Report of the Community Consultation Team, reveals strong support for the Australian Defence Force to have the ability to undertake peacekeeping missions, particularly in regions close to Australia. The consultation process was conducted by former Liberal Party leader Andrew Peacock, Dr David MacGibbon, Stephen Loosely and Major-General Adrian Clunies-Ross (Rtd). Copies of the report are available at: www.defence.gov.au/consultation/ or call 1800 444 034
The United Nations Security Council has called for the UN to conduct a global study into the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the role of women in peace-building, and the gender dimension of peace processes and conflict resolution. The Security Council's call was the subject of talk by the Director of the UN Information Centre, Sydney, Juan Carlos Brandt, on November 8, hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs and UNAA (NSW). Copies of Mr Brandt's
address available
from UNIC, Sydney (02) 9262 5111 and the text of the Security
Council's 18-point
resolution is available on website: http://www.un.org/events/scmtg241000.html
Peace monitoring team in Solomons Australia is leading an International Peace Monitoring Team (IPMT) in the Solomon Islands, responding to the call for such a team in the Townsville Peace Agreement of 15 October 2000. Its role is to support the indigenous Solomon Islands Peace Process under the aegis of the Peace Monitoring Council. Its main tasks are the supervision of the surrender of weapons, regular inspection of the stored weapons, confidence-building within affected Solomon Islands communities, and reporting to the Peace Monitoring Council. The monitors - some already in position - will be a completely neutral, unarmed group deployed at the invitation of all the main parties to the ethnic tension. The International Peace Monitoring Team is being led by career diplomat, Simon Merrifield, of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The initial deployment comprises 35 Australians and 14 New Zealanders. The monitors will be drawn from the Australian Federal Police and civilian public servants from DFAT, Defence and AusAID, with some logistic support provided by the Australian Defence Forces. The full rotation of 49 will be in Solomon Islands by early December. For more information, call the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (02) 6277 7500 or his department on (02) 6261 1555 website: www.dfat.gov.au
'Bioprospecting' inquiry opens The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services is to hold an inquiry into "bioprospecting" - the search for naturally occurring chemical components, genes or other parts of organisms that have potential economic value. According to Committee chair, Fran Bailey, the Committee's inquiry will investigate the regional development of bioprospecting industries to determine Australia's capabilities to manufacture biota products and achieve economic gains from the production stages. The inquiry will look at several issues relevant to Australia's obligations and responsibilities as a member of the UN. These include biota industry standards where they might impact on local indigenous communities; intellectual property; and environmental considerations especially in respect of endangered species. Submissions are required by the end of February and the Committee will set dates for public hearings after assessing them. For more information,
including the inquiry's
terms of reference and instructions on how to make submissions,
access: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/primind Submissions (preferably by e-mail) should be sent to: primary.industries.reps@aph.gov.au For comment, contact Fran Bailey MP (02) 6277 4280
Olympics discrimination payment The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has ordered SOCOG to pay Mr Bruce Maguire $20,000 in compensation for the hurt and humiliation he experienced as a result of the failure of SOCOG to make the Olympic website fully accessible. Mr Maguire, who is blind, lodged a complaint in 1999 stating that the SOCOG website was inaccessible to him. Commissioner Carter who heard the complaint on 24 August 2000 found for Mr Maguire and declared "that the respondent should do all that is necessary to make the web site accessible to the complainant by 15 September 2000 by:
Commissioner Carter found that SOCOG had either failed to comply with some aspects of the original order or had only partially complied with others. His reasons for the decision will be available soon and will be posted on website: www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights The full decision in the original Hearing can be found at
Scrutiny of Bills seeks answers Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2000, which allows for the new tribunal to take over jurisdiction from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal has prompted the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee to question the Attorney General on its "Henry VIII clause" which would permit making regulations to amend primary legislation. The Committee feels this is an inappropriate delegation of legislative power and seeks advice from the Attorney. The Committee questions also the Bill's wide power of delegation to officers of the new Administrative Review Tribunal which, it says, "may be considered to make rights, liberties or obligations unduly dependent upon insufficiently defined administrative powers..." Charter of Political Honesty Bill 2000, introduced as a private Senator's Bill by Democrats Senator Murray, proposes to establish enforceable guidelines for political advertising campaigns, set a required code of conduct for ministers and other politicians; establish an office of Commissioner for Ministerial and Parliamentary ethics; and establish a merit-based code of practice in relation to ministerial appointments to public bodies. The Committee notes the Bill's non-reviewable discretion given to a committee comprising of the Auditor-General, the Ombudsman and one other person. It asks Senator Murray why no provision has been made for the involvement of a judicial officer, and considers the Bill may make rights, liberties or obligations unduly dependent upon non-reviewable decisions. Electoral Amendment (Political Honesty) Bill 2000, another private Senator's Bill from Senator Murray, would impose commercial advertising standards of probity and honesty on political advertising, under the Trade Practices Act. It is also questioned by the committee on the grounds of reversal of the onus of proof and, therefore, may trespass unduly on personal rights and liberties. Source: Alert Digest No 15 of 2000 [ISSN 1229 668X] is available from the Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 3050 website: www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/scrutiny/index.htm For text of Bills, access: www.lawsearch.gov.au The Scrutiny of Bills Committee is continuing its objections to the Aged Care Amendment Bill 2000 despite the long response it received from the Minister for Aged Care, Bronwyn Bishop. The Committee's prime concern has been provisions that would penalise care providers if they have been convicted of an indictable offence, where the offence is unrelated to the provision of care. Ironically, non-indictable offences which could relate to provision of care would not attract penalties under the proposed Bill. In returning the Bill again to the Minister, the Committee points out anomalies which, as drafted, "appear somewhat arbitrary". Source: Fifteenth Report of 2000 An amendment will be moved by the Government to rectify "an unintended drafting error" in the Child Support Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2) 2000, following the Scrutiny of Bills Committee's expression of concern that part of the Bill contained an apparent abrogation of the privilege against self-incrimination thus trespassing unduly on personal rights and liberties. Source: Fifteenth Report of 2000 While the Committee has accepted several explanations from the Minister for Justice and Customs in relating to its concerns about aspects of the Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Bill 1999, it has again referred the legislation for the minister's advice on reversal of onus of proof in which it requires a defendant to adduce evidence about the content of foreign law will operation in practice. Source: Fifteenth Report of 2000 Copies of the Fifteenth Report of 2000 [ISSN 0729-6258] is available from the Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 3050 website: www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/scrutiny/index.htm For text of Bills, access: www.lawsearch.gov.au
East Timor 'mistreatment' inquiry re-opened A combined military and Australian Federal Police investigation is being conducted into allegations that Australian soldiers had mistreated detainees at an interrogation centre in East Timor, last year. An earlier inquiry had reported the allegations were unfounded. According to the Department of Defence, the allegations plus some new allegations had been raised by a News Ltd publication. For more information, call the Department of Defence (02) 6265 1807
Climate Change conference, Protocol The Sixth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in the Hague from November 13 to 24. It will discuss:
A key issue preventing Australia and the US from ratifying the Protocol is the lack of agreement on a time frame for developing countries to take on emission reduction commitments. Australia's delegation to the conference will be led by the Ambassador for the Environment, Dr Ralph Hillman. Greens Senator Bob Brown is arranging to circulate 2000 copies of a brochure at the Hague conference showing the record levels of logging, burning and poisoning of Tasmania's tall forests. Last Friday, November 3, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties continued its inquiry into whether Australia should ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The Committee is examining:
Evidence was given at the hearing by Dr Brian O'Brien, Professor Richard Lindzen, representatives of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association; representatives of the Climate Action Network Australia, representative of the Gas Association of Australia and of the Australian Gas Light Company; representatives of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Dr Clive Hamilton, executive director of the Australia Institute. The Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee has table its report into global warming, titled The Heat Is On: Australia's Greenhouse Future. Copies are available at www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee then find ECITA; or from the Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 3526 For more information: About the Hague conference, call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (02) 6261 1555 website: www.dfat.gov,au About the Treaties Committee hearing, Susan Cardell (02) 6277 4318 e-mail: Susan.Cardell.Reps@aph.gov.au Texts of evidence: www.aph.gov.au/hansard/committees Senator Brown (02) 6277 3170
Australian Parliamentarians-for-West Papua Ten Federal parliamentarians have set up a group, Parliamentarians for West Papua. The group was addressed last week by two West Papua leaders, John Koknak, of the Free Papua Movement and John Ondawame, who has been appointed to undertake international liaison and diplomacy. The group"s interim convenor Greens Senator Bob Brown, said it would promote information and dialogue on West Papua to parliamentarians and the wider public. The group will ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, to spell out the government's attitude to the establishment of a West Papuan information office in Australia. For more information: Ben Oquist (02) 62773170 website: www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
NZ supported on nuclear disarmament at UN New Zealand has won more support for nuclear disarmament at the annual United Nations disarmament session, says Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Matt Robson. The UNís First Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution "towards a nuclear-weapon-free-world: the need for a new agenda" on November 1 in New York, with 146 votes in favour, three against, and eight abstentions. New Zealand is one of seven countries which has lobbied to convince nuclear powers of the need to adopt a new approach to disarmament. Other "New Agenda" states are Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden. The United States, Britain, NATO countries, Australia, Japan and China voted in favour of the resolution, compared to last year when they either opposed the resolution or abstained from voting. France and the Russian Federation shifted ground from straight-out opposition to an abstention. NZ Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Matt Robson, said, "I am very pleased with the outcome. At this yearís meeting, our ambition has finally been rewarded. The prize of the session is the new support for the "New Agenda" approach to nuclear disarmament - a massive upswing of 56 votes over last year. "The New Agenda countries have plugged away on the practical disarmament steps agreed, with New Zealand in the Chair, at Aprilís Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Our persistence is paying off: the strategy to draw these countries on to a new path to nuclear weapons elimination is working," said Mr Robson. The idea of a Southern Hemisphere free of nuclear weapons, being developed by Brazil and New Zealand, also won overwhelming support, although not from the United States, Britain and France. The First Committee decisions will be put to the General Assembly formal plenary next month for final adoption. For more information: NZ High Commission, Canberra (02) 6270 4211 websites: www.executive.govt.nz and www.mft.govt.nz For MAPW comment, Clare
Henderson Ph: (02)
6262 9345
The Opposition spokesman for foreign affairs, Laurie Brereton, has called on the Government to defend its own treaty-making process against a proposal by the NT Chief Minister, Denis Burke, that treaties be approved by a two-thirds majority of both House of Parliament. Emphasising the bi-partisan support the treaty-making process currently has, Mr Brereton, said treaties had to be tabled for at least 15 sitting days before binding action could be taken; all treaties were subject to review by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; the consultation process involved discussions between the Federal and all State and Territory Governments. All proposed treaty actions are published in National Interest Analyses and even when treaties are signed and ratified they require complementary domestic legislation passed by Parliament to give them effect in Australian law. The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties held a public hearing into three treaty actions on November 6:
For more information, call Laurie Brereton's office (02) 6277 4717 website: www.alp.org.au
Annual Reports Women, greenhouse, nuclear, electoral, defence + Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency has as its mission statement "To inspire Australian employers to take action to improve equal opportunity outcomes for women in the workplace by developing a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach; and developing strong business/organisational relationships so that they fully capitalise on their female talent, and improve their business competitiveness." In her report, EOWA director Fiona Krautil reports that, under the new Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999, employers were no longer required to report to the agency. "This enabled EOWA to focus its resources on educating employers on the new requirements of the Act and develop new educative material ..." she says. This included the new voluntary report form. The report [ISSN 1444-4232] is available at selected libraries; or call EOWA on (02) 8255 6300 or access website: www.eowa.gov.au e-mail: eowa@eowa.gov.au Australian Greenhouse Office annual report says the agency played an instrumental role in developing Australia's international negotiating position in the past year, in relation to "the Kyoto Protocol's flexibility mechanisms." It has the lead role in developing Commonwealth policy positions on the treatment of land use change, and forestry activities, as well as how the Kyoto Protocol should monitor, report and review countries' greenhouse gas emissions. It was involved in the Fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, last year. The report [ISSN 1442-8947] is available at selected libraries; or call the Australian Greenhouse Office on (02) 6274 1859 or access website: www.greenhouse.gov.au Australian Heritage
Commission is
concerned with the conservation of Australia's cultural and national
heritage which
is listed on the Register of the National Estate. It is not
responsible for Australia's
World Heritage sites which are the responsibility of the Department of
the Environment
and Heritage. For a copy of the commission's report [ISSN 0155-1434],
call (02)
6274 2111. World Heritage issues were dealt with in the annual
report of Environment
Australia [UNity 148, October 20, 2000] That report [ISBN 0 642
45042 0 and
ISSN 1441-9335] is available from selected libraries or call the
department 1800
803 772 or (02) 6274 1550 or access: www.environment.gov.au/publications.html Australian Electoral Commission annual report gives a comprehensive account of Australia's contribution to UN and other international electoral processes. The most significant of these was the process of popular consultation held in East Timor which resulted in vote for independence from Indonesia. The AEC compiled a computerised voter register, supplied the bulk of equipment and materials required for the vote; developed the vote counting system; arranging for East Timorese in Australia to take part in the vote. The UN's Electoral Assistance Commission director, in thanking the AEC for its "incredible contribution" said that without AEC team the Consultation could not have happened. Other UN-related activities of the commission included devising a course for experienced personnel from other countries and the UN for electoral work in developing countries. An additional area of UN-related activity was a continuation of training for Australian Defence Force peacekeepers in electoral matters. The report [ISSN 0814-4508 & ISBN 0 642 44954 6] is available at selected libraries; or call AEC on (02) 6271 4411 or access website: www.aec.gov.au e-mail: info@aec.gov.au Australian Nuclear
Science & Technology
Organisation report lists its activities with a number of its UN
bodies and agencies
including the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health
Organisation, UN Development
Program, and in connection with international conventions on
radioactive materials.
It reports also on issues involving the Australian Safeguards and
Non-Proliferation
Office, Australia's overseas aid program as well as climate research,
the environment
including greenhouse gases. As if that wasn't enough, the report notes
that one of
ANSTO's outcomes involved carbon dating seals on letters associated
with the Spanish
conquistador Pizarro and the conquest of the Incas! Department of Industry, Science and Resources annual report, running to 433 pages, lists among its UN-related activities disaster mitigation, greenhouse policy and the Kyoto Protocol, intellectual property. Among its international activities it has had dealings with the UN's International Maritime Organisation as well as the International Convention on the Law of the Sea. It also reports on its contribution to the Senate inquiry into the tailings leak at the Jabiluka project. The report [ISSN 1443-8267 & ISBN 0 642 72108 4] is available at selected libraries; or call the department on (02) 6213 6297 or access website: www.isr.gov.au Department of Defence annual report has copious references to UN operations with the emphasis on East Timor. Expenditure on ADF involvement in East Timor for 1999-2000 for both Interfet and UNTAET is shown as $607.5 million. There is a comprehensive appendix detailing ADF peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations around the world. It also publishes a table of expenditure on such programs which shows gross actual costs of $67.5 million. The report [ISSN 1323 5036 & ISBN 0 642 29542 5] is available at selected libraries; or call the Department of Defence on (02) 6265 6277 or access website: www.defence.gov.au/budget/99-00dar.htm e-mail: DPRE@cbr.defence.gov.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commercial Development Corporation outlines the investment acquisitions of the corporation, including 50 % of Global CDC Insurance Services Pty Ltd; a further 3.4% of Foxleigh Coal bringing CDC's holding to 16.4%; purchase of the NT Government Centre in Katherine; and other smaller joint ventures. The corporation now has assets of $64.8 million. For a copy of the report call the corporation (02) 6285 3031 website: www.cdc.gov.au APEC Action Plan and directory The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has published APEC: Australia's Individual Action Plan 2000. While it has no direct bearing on Australia's UN membership, the plan does note where there is requirement to conform to UN obligations. For instance, under the section devoted to foreign entry of air services compliance with the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation is noted. In the chapter on Customs procedures there is a reference to the Australian Custom Service working with the Oceania Customs Organisation to promote acceptance of the revised text of the Kyoto Convention. Emphasis is placed in the plan of action on the WTO's intellectual property obligations. However, there is reference to a joint Australian-World Intellectual Property Organisation working group for the coordination of projects. There are many references to Australia's obligations to the WTO. The publication contains detailed contact references for all aspects of the plan and is available on the APEC website: www.apecsec.org.sg or for a hard copy, e-mail: apec@dfat.gov.au
World Heritage meeting in Cairns The 24th session of the World Heritage Bureau and the World Heritage Committee will take place in Cairns from November 23 to December 2 for the 50 countries that are parties to the World Heritage Convention. Other associated meetings will be the World Heritage Pacific Youth Forum and a workshop on representation of Indigenous traditions associated with World Heritage areas. For more information, access www.environment.gov.au/heritage/awhg/whu/auswha.html or call Environment Australia (02) 6274 2813
The Federal Labor Opposition and the Australian Democrats in the Senate have disallowed parts of the Western Australian Native Title regime tabled in the Parliament on November 7 by the Attorney General, Daryl Williams. Last week he said certain mining tenements and compulsory acquisitions on pastoral lease land and reserved land in Western Australia would not be subject to the Federal right to negotiate - unless disallowed. For more information, Opposition spokesman for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Bob McMullan (02) 6277 4803 Attorney's office (02)
6277 7300
The International Youth Coordination Council, Nepal, is seeking help to run an International Youth Conference at the Tigertops, Chitwan,Nepal. and is requesting youth and social organisations to send suggestions. For more information,
contact: Chauyen
Lai Shrestha
UN Wire is a free daily news service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation and its sister organisation, the Better World Fund, which are dedicated to supporting United Nations efforts on behalf of the environment, population stabilisation and children's health. Its reports and the complete issue of each day's UN Wire can be found on the Web at http://www.unfoundation.org The Web version includes hot-links to the complete text of cited articles, a fully searchable archive and easy access to recent issues.
http://www.detya.gov.au/iae/international/AIRSSite/airshome /airshome.htm For more information, contact Steve Price, the site manager, e-mail: Stephen.price@detya.gov.au or phone (02) 6240 9012 Alternative sites for employment opportunities with the United Nations and its field operations and list of professional posts vacancies in the International Civil Service, job classification, salary scales and daily subsistence allowances are at the following websites: (to apply for field employment and to download P-11 application form) UNDP operations management register The United Nations Development Programme Office of Human Resources is compiling an operations management roster to meet the growing demand for outstanding individuals to serve in international operations positions in its country offices. UNDP is at the centre of UN system country operations Individuals with a strong background in operations management are invited to apply for the upcoming Operations Management Competency Assessment Programme. Successful applicants will be placed in a pool of candidates eligible for consideration for operations management positions that will be filled as part of UNDP's year 2001 Reassignment Exercise. If selected, applicants must be prepared to accept an assignment in one of UNDP's programme countries by mid-2001. Those not immediately assigned will be retained on the roster. For more information, e-mail: Florence Sykes florence.sykes@undp.org *** ILO Project For the Promotion of ILO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples requires two (2) Indigenous experts. The Project to Promote ILO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples was established in 1996, for an initial two-year period, as a means of establishing a more efficient mechanism for addressing the needs of indigenous and tribal peoples. The Project was conceptualised within the framework of the International Decade for the Worldís Indigenous People, and co-operates with governments, employersí and workersí organisations, indigenous and tribal peoplesí organisations and NGOs. Ms. Marianne Jensen Tel: + 41 22 799 8056 Fax: + 41 22 799 6344 E-mail: jensenm@ilo.org
UNA/P/00/29 - Team Leader, Caribbean Team & Intercountry Programme Adviser, P.5, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Dept of Country Planning and Programme Development. Deadline Dec 15 2000 Hard copies of the vacancy notices are available in HRM and also available on the UNAIDS Internet Homepage: http://www.unaids.org REGISTERED NURSES: Australian Volunteers International is seeking registered nurses to undertake two rewarding and challenging volunteer placements.
For more information, e-mail: tjuusti@ozvol.org.au Projects Officer, International Dept. Australian Red Cross. Written applications, marked 'Confidential - Job Application' should be addressed to the Manager, International Operations, Australian Red Cross National Office, PO Box 196, South Carlton, Vic, 3053 by 4pm 15th November 2000. Info: (03) 9345 1800 Expressions of Interest for Overseas Placements with the Australian Red Cross Australian Red Cross is requesting applications from candidates wanting to proceed through a selection and recruitment process, for overseas work in the field of humanitarian aid: Logisticians / Water and Sanitation Engineers; Graduate Studies in Humanities / Law / International Relations; Registered Nurses / Doctors. Preference will be given to French. Spanish or Portuguese speakers. Send detailed resume with a covering letter to ARC Field Personnel Unit PO Box 196 CarIton South Victoria 3053 by Friday 24 November 2000. Successful applicants will be notified. *** Komnas HAM, Indonesia, is seeking:
All inquiries re these vacancies to Komnas HAM phone + 62 21 392 5230 or info@komnas.go.id
Diary updates, including parliamentary committee hearings November 10 Victorian conference on Convention on Rights of the Child in Victoria; Melbourne Legal Services. Info: (03) 9328 1885 E-mail: nmls@vicnet.net.au November 10 ó12 Human Rights, Human Wrongs: Bigotry, Government and Social Change in Australia since 1949, at the Humanities Research Centre, ANU, Canberra. Website: www.anu.edu.au/hrc/freilich/activities/conferences_2000/hrhw.h tml November 10 "Water Policy for a Dry Land", Parliament House, Canberra. Info: Manning Clark House (02) 6295 9433 November 10-18 Pan Pacific & South East Asia Womens Association International Conference, Rarotonga Cook Islands. Theme "Ignite the Power of Peace". November 11 All-day workshop "Bringing home human rights to the individual - where they belong" Info: UNAA (Vic) Phone (03) 9482 3655 e-mail: unaa.vic@bigpond.com November 11-12 Cultures of Peace News Network (CPNN) internet-moderator's training session, Melbourne University. Info: cpnn@psych.unimelb.edu.au November 13 International seminar on landmines "Breaking the Curse", Melbourne, hosted by World Vision Australia. Info: Sally Stott, SMS Marketing (03) 5680 8588 e-mail: sms@zedweb.com.au November 14 International Diabetes Federation & WHO World Diabetes Day November 16 International Day of Tolerance November 16-17 Peacemaking/keeping course, Melbourne (University of Melbourne) by Griffith University and Paximus Pty Ltd. Info: E-mail: s.lockwood-lee@mailbox.gu.edu.au Ph: (07) 3875 3563 Fax: (07) 3875 6634 Website: http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/kceljag/home.html November 17-19 Inaugural Refugee Conference of The Myer Foundation & The Refugee Council Of WA. Info: Jackie King (08) 9440 6970 e-mail: jeznjack@iinet.net.au November 19 Australia/East Timor Aid Walk/Run in aid of East Timor. Info: Caritas (02) 6201 9800 (Canberra) or (02) 9956 5799 (Sydney). November 20 Africa Industrialisation Day www.un.org/Depts/eca November 20 Public hearing House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage inquiry into the impact of environmental measures impact on landholders, Sydney. Info: Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4580 website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/environ/ Transcripts: www.aph.gov.au/hansard November 21 World Television Day www.unesco.org November 25-26 Peacemaking/keeping course, Brisbane (Griffith University) Sydney (University of Sydney) November 28-29 by Griffith University and Paximus Pty Ltd. Info: E-mail: s.lockwood-lee@mailbox.gu.edu.au Ph: (07) 3875 3563 Fax: (07) 3875 6634 Website: http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/kceljag/home.html November 27 Workshop on prisoners' rights, Sydney. Info: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and the Australian Human Rights Centre. Janis Constable: Tel:( 0)2 9284 9602; E-mail: janisconstable@hreoc.gov.au website : www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/prisoners/index.html November 27-December 2 World Heritage Committee, Cairns Info: UNESCO Commission (02) 6261 2037 November 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People December 1 World AIDS Day www.unaids.org December 1-2 National Conference on Reconciliation, Multiculturalism, Immigration and Human Rights, University of Technology, Sydney, www.Diversity-Conference.com December 1 "Lost in the whitewash: Aboriginal-Chinese encounters from federation to reconciliation", ANU, Canberra. www.anu.edu.au/culture/whitewash/index.html< FONT SIZE="1" FACE="Arial, Helvetica"> December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery www.un.org/rights and www.universalrights.net December 3 International Day of Disabled Persons www.who.org.ch/ December 4 Report due Senate inquiry into replacement reactor at Lucas Heights. Info: www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/lucasheights_ctte/index.htm Or Clare Henderson Ph: (02) 6262 9345 e-mail: clare.henderson@bigpond.com.au December 4-6
International Conference
on Social Transformations in the Asia Pacific Region. Info: E-mail:
capstrans@uow.edu.au
Ph: (02) 4221 3780 Fax: (02) 4228 6313 Web:
December 4-5 Constructing Law and Disability - ANU, Canberra.Info: www.anu.edu.au/HRC/activities/conferences_2000/marks_jones.htm l December 6 National Press Club address' by Dr Evelyn Scott, Chair of the Reconciliation Council. Info: (02) 6273-3644 fax (02) 6273-4657 e-mail npc@npc.org.au December 5 International Volunteer Day for Economic & Social Development www.un.org/ecosocdev December 6 Chair Reconciliation Council Dr Evelyn Scott, National Press Club ph 02-6273-3644 e-mail npc@npc.org.au website: www.npc.org.au December 6-8 International conference "Human Rights: A Fair Go For All" Curtin University of Technology and the National Committee on Human Rights Education, Perth, WA. Info: Janferie Williams Ph: (08) 9266 4235 Fax: (08) 9266 4071 e-mail: williamj@resources.curtin.edu.au December 7 International Civil Aviation Day www.cam.org/Icao December 10 Human Rights Day. www.unhchr.ch and http://www.un.org/rights and www.universalrights.net December 11 World Asthma Day. WHO info: e-mail: rozovi@who.ch website: http://www.who.ch/ December 11-13
International Conference
on a Culture of Peace, Madrid, Spain. Info: Isabel Montes. December 29 International Day for Biological Diversity www.unesco.org 2001 January 8-26, 2001 58th session of UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in New York. April 12-13 NGOs and humanitarian action conference, La Rochelle, France. Info: Prof Johanna Simeant Tel: (+33) (5) 4645-8520 E-mail: jsimeant@univ-lr.fr April 13 National Press Club address, ATSIC Chairperson Geoff Clark, Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the handing down of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Info: (02) 6273-3644 fax (02) 6273-4657 e-mail npc@npc.org.au June/July 2001 International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, Geneva. Info: www.un.org/news June 11-15 Third Substantive Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2001 General Assembly special session following up on the 1990 World Summit for Children 2001. Info: Alanna Sherry (02) 9261 2811 x204 fax: (02) 9261 2844 June 25 UN International Day In Support of Victims of Torture June 26 UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture www.un.org/right s and www.universalrights.net July 8-13 Second International Aviation Safety Management Conference, Hong Kong. Conference website at www.ismf.org August 31-September 7
2001 World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerance,
South Africa. To encourage support for activities within Australia
towards the
Conference, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is
posting future e-mail
messages concerning the World Conference on the electronic Race
Discrimination list.
To be listed, send an email to listhreoc@hreoc.gov.au with the message "SUBSCRIBE
RACEDISCRIM". Or
for more information, contact either Mary Dimech marydimech@hreoc.gov.au or Tim Goodwin timgoodwin@hreoc.gov.au To visit the World Conference on
Racism website:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/index.htm September 19-21 (tbc) Special UN General Assembly Session on Children. Steve Barnes, Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section, DFAT. (02) 6261 2069. E-mail: stephen.barnes@dfat.gov.au website www.unicef.org/specialsession/
United Nations International Years: This year (2000) is the International Year for the Culture of Peace For a full list of International Years from 1959, call the UN Information Centre, Sydney, (02) 9262 5111 or Fax (02) 9262 5886
If you have a project for the International Year of the Culture of Peace, contact the Conflict Resolution Network which has registered more than 50 projects. People can indicate support for UNESCO's six pledges which are the principles of the International Year for the Culture of Peace: 1. respect all life 2. reject violence 3. share with others 4. listen to understand 5. preserve the planet 6. rediscover solidarity The UNESCO website also has artwork for flyers and posters. For more information: UNESCO website: www.unesco.org/manifesto2000 CRN's Beverley Pavey is seeking comments or feedback: www.crnhq.org/IYCP.html Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (UNESCO Commission) Ian Anderson (02) 6261 2037 Minister for Foreign Affairs (02) 6277 7500 www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/gc/asp/activities.htm< FONT SIZE="2" FACE="Arial, Helvetica"> Tasmanian IYCP Web address: http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/unaa/iycp< FONT SIZE="2" FACE="Arial, Helvetica"> or call Dr Ian A Newman Phone: (03) 6226-2422; Fax: (03) 6226-2410 Email: ian.newman@utas.edu.au *** For aid agencies which are signatories to the ACFOA Code of Conduct contact ACFOA (02) 6285 1816 e-mail: acfoa@acfoa.asn.au website: www.acfoa.asn.au For the latest on where emergency aid is required, contact ReliefWeb, a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: www.reliefweb.int e-mail info@dha.unicc.org |