Major Award to the ERC in Sydney
14/12/06 10:29 Filed in: Events
The Edmund Rice Centre in Sydney,
Australia, has been awarded the Australian Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Human Rights Award for Community
Organisations 2006. The Award recognised the Centre's work
uncovering the fate of deported asylum seekers, as well as the
broader human rights work of the Centre.
Marking Human Rights Day, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) held its annual Human Rights Lunch and Awards, hosted by Julie McCrossin. The Awards recognise the efforts of those in a range of fields working to promote human rights.
Senior researchers Zeena Elton and Dr Ben Spies-Butcher received the Award on behalf of the Centre.
"Receiving this human rights award is a significant honour. The award specifically recognises research into the fate of deported asylum seekers, but more broadly recognises the importance of achieving rights based Reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, sharing our history and our country, and ensuring we treat those who come to our shores seeking asylum with dignity and compassion" Dr Spies-Butcher said.
"It is a tribute to the many volunteer networks, and the broader social movement of which we are apart. From researcher Margaret Hetherton and Dominican Sisters Mary Britt and Carmel Leavey, who helped to uncover the fate of deported asylum seekers, to the many other volunteers, from all backgrounds, faiths, cultures and ages who we work with to fight for human rights and the dignity of the person." he said.
"The Edmund Rice Centre staff would also like to thank the continuing support of Indigenous elder Patrick Dodson who has been a great inspiration and mentor for our work" said Ms Elton.
ERI congratulates ERC Sydney on this major award. It is testimony to the power of advocacy and to the capacity of the Edmund Rice spirit to mobilise so many different people on behalf of the poor, the dispossessed and the marginalised.
Well done ERC Sydney!
Marking Human Rights Day, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) held its annual Human Rights Lunch and Awards, hosted by Julie McCrossin. The Awards recognise the efforts of those in a range of fields working to promote human rights.
Senior researchers Zeena Elton and Dr Ben Spies-Butcher received the Award on behalf of the Centre.
"Receiving this human rights award is a significant honour. The award specifically recognises research into the fate of deported asylum seekers, but more broadly recognises the importance of achieving rights based Reconciliation with Indigenous Australians, sharing our history and our country, and ensuring we treat those who come to our shores seeking asylum with dignity and compassion" Dr Spies-Butcher said.
"It is a tribute to the many volunteer networks, and the broader social movement of which we are apart. From researcher Margaret Hetherton and Dominican Sisters Mary Britt and Carmel Leavey, who helped to uncover the fate of deported asylum seekers, to the many other volunteers, from all backgrounds, faiths, cultures and ages who we work with to fight for human rights and the dignity of the person." he said.
"The Edmund Rice Centre staff would also like to thank the continuing support of Indigenous elder Patrick Dodson who has been a great inspiration and mentor for our work" said Ms Elton.
ERI congratulates ERC Sydney on this major award. It is testimony to the power of advocacy and to the capacity of the Edmund Rice spirit to mobilise so many different people on behalf of the poor, the dispossessed and the marginalised.
Well done ERC Sydney!