The ASCI (Asylum Seekers Christmas Island) is an organisation that delivers letters from everyday Australians to people (of a similar age) in a detention centre. These letters are a way of communicating to these asylum seekers that they are not alone and are not unwelcome in the country they hope to, one day, call home. These letters provide hope to the people in detention centres who have very little hope and very little of anything. In some cases, the asylum seekers can write letters back but that cannot be guaranteed, the one guarantee is that your letter will reach someone who is in a detention centre and it can be guaranteed to bring hope and happiness in an otherwise desolate situation. The letter writing project is a simple but truly valued way to make a difference to someone's life - something that the receiver will treasure forever. Come and join us by writing a simple letter to know that you are making a difference to someone who really needs it.
“For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share” – Australia’s National Anthem
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” – Matthew 25: 43
At the recent ACU Youth Social Justice Forum, Dr Deborah Zion reported that Australia is the only western country that detains refugees in detention centres, that this is a human rights violation, and that Australia has been condemned by the UN and other countries for our treatment of asylum seekers. She also said that the issue of asylum seekers will be a major election issue at the next federal election, but that it shouldn’t be – that both parties should agree to treating refugees with dignity, respect, and in a sense of welcome. So why is it an election issue? Because there is clearly a large proportion of our population who think we should “turn back the boats” or to continue to treat refugees the way we currently do. Our purpose for this year’s World Refugee Day is to raise awareness about the plight of asylum seekers to try and change that opinion, to create an environment of welcome to these the most vulnerable of people.
The theme of World Refugee Day this year is “One Refugee Without Hope is Too Many”. To support this campaign these are the two main things we want everyone to do (there will be lots of other things too!):
1. Find out more about the issue and help us share info with your friends via email / facebook etc
2. Give hope to one asylum seeker in detention by writing them a letter to let them know they are welcome here in Australia.
We will add more posts with other ideas in the lead up to World Refugee Day. Please read, like and re-post on your own walls. Thanks!!