AMNESTY UOW

University of Wollongong. Dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all people.

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Joining Amnesty UOW

Emma Peden / B Journalism

For eighteen months I studied a Bachelor of Performance at UOW.  Although fun and engaging, I felt I was getting left behind in the world.  I spent all my time rehearsing, studying or trying to catch up on sleep.  Meanwhile the war raged on in Syria, Donald Trump gained popularity for the US presidential election, the Stanford rape case horrified the world and I was none the wiser.  I wanted out of this theatrical bubble.  I had fallen behind and the world was not going to stop for me.  I yearned to learn about politics, global events and crisis, to play a greater role in this world.  I have always been a keen writer, so the switch to study a bachelor of journalism was an obvious decision.   I saw UOW Amnesty International not only as a way of keeping up to date in this fast paced world, but also as a way to raise awareness in others.  I hope my time with Amnesty helps me grow as a person and become an influential member of our society.  I am very excited and can’t wait for what is to come!

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The Hot Potato The Republic of Everyone with The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Certain people’s attitudes about the Asylum seeker debate and about human rights in general used to surprise and confuse me. But at the same time, I didn’t really see any way that I myself could make a difference or change the way a large portion of the Australian population thought about these things. I wasn’t in Australia when the hot potato van travelled around Australia but I heard about it and later saw the film. I shared the film in class while I was studying in the UK and saw how it was able to start conversations about important human rights issues and how a foodtruck travelling to rural Australian towns could even get a bunch of English people rethinking the recent European (and World) refugee crisis. Amnesty International provides a way for everyone to get involved and to start conversations like this all over the world. I’m hoping that through UOW Amnesty we’re able to keep that going on a more local scale. Mitchell Communications Co-ordinator UOW Amnesty 

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The Way It Is - Bruce Hornsby and the Range Howdy! My name is Zia and I am the Treasurer of the UOW Amnesty International Society. I’ve only recently joined the UOW Amnesty team (late last year), but being part of an entirely new team of execs has made it an enlightening experience so far.

I’ve always kept a keen interest on the discourse around various human rights topics. I firmly believe that the first step in influencing policy on any issue is to facilitate constructive discussion. You can change people’s perceptions on an issue by informing them on it, thus raising awareness and making sure as many passionate voices on an issue are heard.

That’s why UOW Amnesty (and Amnesty Int’l) does what it does. Raising awareness on an issue may seem minor, but it’s an invaluable part of making progress on important human rights issues.  

And when people say that some things are inevitable and that it’s pointless to try and pursue change, I’m often reminded of a song by Bruce Hornsby and the Range – The Way It Is. A subtle reminder that nothing ever remains that way.

Zia Treasurer UOW Amnesty

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Ready or Not - Fugees

Hey there, I’m Lisa. I’ve been involved with Amnesty for less than a year, and I’ve learnt many valuable things.

One of the best things is that small conversations can be really meaningful. I try to appreciate others’ willingness to share their thoughts and experiences on contentious and potentially personal issues. It can take courage sometimes. Conversation needs to include hearing from diverse voices, even if opinions opposing our own are hard to listen to.

I hope that Amnesty UOW can encourage the type of open discussion that brings together passionate and curious people. It gives us all the chance to teach, to progress our ideas and to pave movement together, regardless of how little we think our impact may be.

‘The Score’ is an album I enjoy listening to by Fugees – a group which awesomely produced social awareness in their music.

Lisa President UOW Amnesty

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6 reasons why we still need International Women’s Day

Since 1975, 8 March has been a rallying point for feminists worldwide. Established by the UN, it has traditionally been a moment to celebrate women’s achievements while highlighting serious inequalities between the sexes. But 41 years later, is it still necessary?

Although Amnesty International and voices like yours have helped defend Women’s rights on a global scale, there are still Women all over the world that need our help and your voice!

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9 ways you defended women’s rights worldwide

Thousands of you joined us in standing up for sexual and reproductive rights through Amnesty’s My Body My Rights campaign.

As we continue to mark International Women’s Day, Amnesty International looks back at how your campaigning for My Body My Rights has changed women’s lives around the world. 

Get involved with UOW Amnesty to continue the fight for Women’s rights .

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Sammie Prasser, 19

B International Studies

I joined Amnesty because I believe in equality for all humans. Since beginning my degree I've learnt about the important of social justice in this world and how far we have to go to get there. I thought by joining amnesty I could contribute to something I'm passionate about and help others learn about the importance of social justice and equality.

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Australia can learn from Dutch courage on marriage equality

Next week, a marriage equality bill is likely to be introduced in the Australian Parliament. It will no doubt produce the same kind of intense discussions and soul searching as in the 18 other countries that have passed these laws. The first was the Netherlands. In 1994, I became a member of the Dutch Parliament and proposed introducing marriage equality legislation. Years of debate ensued.

Read more

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BBC News: China silences netizens critical of “disgraceful” blast coverage

Authorities in China have over the past 24 hours silenced social media users who have criticised the coverage of the Tianjin explosions.

Posts condemning "disgraceful" local TV coverage of the two blasts on 12 August have been removed from Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like micro-blogging platform, as have posts suggesting that local authorities restricted international media reporting on the incident.

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Lisa Phanthavady, 20

B Communication & Media / B International Studies

“I realised that I needed to be active in my community. Spending four years of my life, only for a degree, isn't going to fulfill me. Rather than simply studying about unjust histories and systems and whatever, I thought that joining Amnesty would drive me to do and think a little further - and it has. Amnesty reminds me that to be a 'do-gooder' isn't something to be embarrassed about, nor is it naive to think that I can be influential as a young person.”

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Brazil ‘prepares’ for the Olympic Games

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/08/brazil-trigger-happy-military-police-kill-hundreds-as-rio-prepares-for-olympic-countdown/

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Maddie Burkitt (President), 22

B Media and Communications / B International Studies

“I became involved with Amnesty because I really believe in what it stands for. ‘Human rights for all’ is a simple concept but an immeasurably powerful one; it’s something that has already changed so many lives. More broadly, I’m an activist because I believe we have a duty to take a stand for injustices which we perceive. We are saturated with stories of pain and hardship - it’s overwhelming, but inaction isn’t an option.”

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Kids deserve healthy, happy childhoods. This semester, Amnesty UOW will be promoting 'Community is Everything', supporting Indigenous-led community solutions against the over-representation of Indigenous youth in detention. 

 For more about this Australia-wide campaign: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/37328/