School students address United Nations on climate change and refugees - Photo:canva.com
The Marist Brothers Province in Australia, recently released a Media Statement that two students from Parramatta Marist High School in Sydney had prepared to address the United Nations Human Rights Council on July 8th ‘calling out Australia’s approach to climate change and its treatment of refugees.’
Columbans recognize that climate change is a threat to life and that vulnerable communities around the world including refugees and asylum seekers are among the most impacted. Columbans serve economically poor and marginalized peoples, including refugees and asylum seekers in their struggle for justice.
Two students from Parramatta Marist High School in Sydney prepared Statements and video clips in preparation to address the United Nations Human Rights Council on July 8th. The Marist Brothers Province in Australia Media Statement said the students who were part of a group ‘researched and made recommendations on human rights issues that they considered to be the most important in Australia – climate change, asylum seekers, refugees and domestic violence.’
The videos prepared by the students feature their recommendations and concerns including the need for age inclusive climate change action that recognizes the impacts on older Australians, renewable energy commitments, equal rights for asylum seekers and greater support for education in schools on domestic violence.
The students are particularly concerned that many asylum seekers in Australia are ‘not permitted to work, not able to access Medicare or obtain permanent protection.’ The students are also concerned about the ‘insufficient action taken by the Australian Government regarding climate change,’ as evidenced by more extreme weather events and worsening drought.
The videos prepared by the students feature their recommendations and concerns including the need for age inclusive climate change action that recognizes the impacts on older Australians, renewable energy commitments, equal rights for asylum seekers and greater support for education in schools on domestic violence. (See link below)
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM is a team member of the Columban Peace, Ecology & Justice office in Australia.
