An Exciting Event Organised by Syndal Catalyst
Syndal Baptist Catalyst group organised a superb forum on slavery that was held at Mt Waverley Secondary College at the end of April. Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision, and Anna Burke, MP for Chisholm and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke passionately about the issue of trafficking both within Australia and internationally. Scott Higgins, convenor of Catalyst Australia chaired the event. A crowd of around 160 people from the church and local community were present and motivated to lift their voices to end slavery. The House of Coffee, Sassafras, provided Fair Trade coffee and many volunteers assisted with parking, supper, welcoming and general chores. Check out the videos below.
In summarising the speakers, some of the ways that we can assist in ending slavery include:
1. Learn – about the issues, checkout websites, such as www.catalystonline.org.au, read books (e.g. David Batstone’s “Not for Sale”)
2. Speak out – Lobby for Fair Trade products at your café, speak or write to your local parliamentarians, manufacturers or local papers.
3. Consume ethically – Research how the goods you purchase are produced, consider whether your superannuation is invested ethically.
4. Give generously – Give to organisations who are working to meet the millennium development goals which will give people options rather than bonded servitude. Also support groups who are working directly rescuing, advocating for and helping rescued slaves.
Future events planned by Syndal Catalyst include:
Prayer/reflection evening for people enslaved and those people helping eliminating slavery.
An evening with a member of the Sudanese community – hear first hand about the experience.
A financial planning seminar – how to invest ethically so you are not support the trade of people
For further information about the work of Catalyst contact: Amanda Jackson via the church office.
Tim Costello:
Audio of Tim Costello:
Anna Burke:
Audio of Anna Burke:
Questions:
Audio of question time:
