“Students will be continually reviewing the issues throughout the two year campaign, and be equipped with the necessary skills to take action on local and national levels based on their faith,” Mai said.
The Conference was attended by around 45 students from all around the country as well as by Bishop Biancinni of Geraldton, and Bishop O’Kelly of Port Pirie. Hannah Stavrou, the 16 year-old Conference Co-ordinator from Barmera, South Australia stated that “this conference gave like-minded and passionate students the chance to create great action that will transform not only themselves but their communities and the world.”
The first action of the Youth Refugees and Asylum seekers campaign took place on Australia Day and was the biggest nationally co-ordinated action from the movement for very many years. Almost 1000 people from across the country attended the Facebook event ‘bare skin for refugees and asylum seekers’ which asked people to write ‘for those that come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share’ on their skin. This was a huge success, with hundreds of photos uploaded onto the ‘Australian YCS’ Facebook page in support of refugees and asylum seekers. These will be forwarded to politicians to bring about just policies and practises that uphold the human dignity of these young people.
The previous National Chairperson, Liam McGuire of Townsville is excited about the campaign despite finishing school in 2011.
“With all members excited about the new campaign, having their say and already taking action, we hope this is going to be the most effective campaign in our recent history.”
