Illawarra students mobilise for refugees

Issue 

BY GRANT COLEMAN

WOLLONGONG — Four hundred of the Illawarra Grammar School's 600 students attended a voluntary assembly on August 16 to discuss the plight of refugees in Australia's detention centres. The meeting was organised by about 20 students involved in the school's Social Action Group. The majority of teachers also attended the assembly.

Addressing the assembly, action group member Simon Cunich described what many refugees face upon arriving in Australia, focusing particularly on the federal Coalition government's policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers and the restrictive temporary protection visa that are issued to many judged to refugees.

Another activist involved in the group, Mark Cunich, stated that the students' aim is to "build a network of groups in schools in the Illawarra to further involve and inform students about human rights issues, particularly refugees' rights". He added that "the success of the group is a great indication that young people aren't apathetic".

The student activists talked to the school chaplain about supporting the assembly. Following this discussion, the chaplain decided to dedicate his entire 30-minute weekly address to human rights, in particular refugees' rights. He applauded the efforts of the students and encouraged others to get involved.

As part of their studies this semester, year 11 and 12 students will be able to study a text by a refugee. Riz Wakil, an Afghan refugee currently on a temporary protection visa, will be speaking at the school in a few weeks and it is hoped that his speech will be turned into the text that will become part of the curriculum.

The students hope to make Illawarra Grammar a refugee safe haven by passing a resolution at their next assembly. The action group has also begun preparations for a Tampa Day concert on August 26. The school band will be performing and the Social Action Group is to distribute 200 black armbands for the day.

From Green Left Weekly, August 21, 2002.
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