SUPPORTING MARGINALISED GROUPS…
In Australia, as much as in the rest of the world, there is a growing divide between the rich and the poor, the privileged and the oppressed, the “haves” and the “have nots”. This is an increasing source of fear, hatred, and often violent tension on both sides of the divide. The situation cannot improve so long as we continue to reproduce social structures and cultural practices that allocate power, voice, and privilege to some groups, leaving other groups marginalised, silenced, and lacking resources to live well. Healthier relationships must be forged across this divide – relationships based not on a desire to “help” or “be helped” but rather on mutual respect and a genuine desire to grow in understanding of one another’s needs, histories, and perspectives.
Relevant Sydney Peace Prize Winners
PATRICK DODSON, 2008 - Yawuru man; the ‘Father of Reconciliation’; former Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, former Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and former Catholic priest.
“We behave schizophrenically. Internationally, we present a front about Australia as a tolerant nation, about mateship and the land of the fair go. But domestically we don’t acknowledge that we are
swimming in a backwater because we haven’t advanced our social discourse on change.” - Pat Dodson.
In 2008 Pat Dodson was awarded with the Sydney Peace Prize “for his courageous advocacy of the human rights of Indigenous people, for distinguished leadership of the reconciliation movement and for a lifetime of commitment to peace with justice, through dialogue and many other expressions on non violence.”
Read more about 2008 Sydney Peace Prize recipient Pat Dodson HERE.
MARY ROBINSON, 2002 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, former President of Ireland.
“The poor, beleaguered people of Iraq are not better off.” - Mary Robinson.
In 2002 Mary Robinson was awarded with the Sydney Peace Prize for “her leadership in advocating respect for human rights and for her courage in standing up for the powerless against the interests of powerful individuals and governments.”
Read more about 2002 Sydney Peace Prize recipient Mary Robinson HERE.
SIR WILLIAM DEANE, 2001 - Former Governor General of Australia.
“Racism is cruel and unjust. It cuts deep and lingers long in individual and community memories. And it is not a thing of the past….We all have a duty to do what we can to turn this around.” – Sir William Deane.
In 2001 Sir William was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize “for his consistent support of vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians and his strong commitment to the cause of reconciliation.”
Read more about 2001 Sydney Peace Prize recipient Sir William Deane HERE.
YPI Projects
The following projects designed and run by Australian young people are dedicated to the cause of “Supporting Marginalised Groups”: