Claudia Karvan speaks to school students who attended the Friday Forum.

Keeping up the campaign for refugees

By Gary Zadkovich

Federation continues its work to oppose the Howard Government's unfair policies on asylum seekers and refugees.

At the Friday Forum on March 12, about 100 people gathered to hear from actor Claudia Karvan and A Just Australia national director Howard Glenn.

These guest speakers encouraged people to keep up the campaign for government policies that respect human rights and uphold the values of tolerance, compassion and humanitarianism.

They paid tribute to the work of Federation for this cause, and specifically emphasised the importance of public education and the positive contribution teachers make to children's lives.

About 150 children and their families are detained in appalling conditions in detention centres in Australia and Nauru. Some have been detained like this for three years. This awful reality reinforces the importance of campaigning against the regressive policies of the Howard Government, which have so diminished our nation in the eyes of the world.

It was heartening for all in attendance to reaffirm their commitment to this crucial human rights issue, and to share news of on-going campaign activities.

Gary Zadkovich is the Administration Officer (Media and Communications).

Plight of asylum seekers outlined

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