Thursday, September 30, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Psychological research calls for change in detention policy
Following on from my previous post:
The detriment of detention centres on mental health
The use of immigration detention has been shown to have a detrimental affect on the psychological wellbeing of asylum seekers. These people most often arrive in a fragile mental state, already suffering trauma from having from human rights abuses, including torture and persecution in their own country. On arrival at our shores, asylum seekers are then detained for any length of time.
According to one of Australia’s most eminent researchers in the field, psychologist Zachary Steel, the devastating psychological consequences of detention centres and onshore treatment of asylum seekers can be understood in terms of basic human rights.
“It’s been long understood that infringements of human rights causes mental health to significantly deteriorate,” said Dr Steel. “The way asylum seekers are detained under Australian Law infringes on their civil rights – whereby our system arbitrarily places these people in detention, with no merit-based review.”
“Following the trauma they have fled, asylum seekers need a safe recovery environment to help them overcome the issues of their past. Detention centres do not promote this positive healing process. Therefore, the health and
wellbeing of these people is diminished.”
In Australia, more than 90 per cent of detained asylum seekers are let into the community. For many of these people, the psychological consequences of being detained lasts a lifetime and can include depression, trauma, psychological
damage and anxiety.
“These people are permanently affected by their detention experiences and are found to have serious long-term mental health issues. Once let back into society, they may be incapacitated from reaching their full potential,” said Dr Steel.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Dr Steel said the Centre for Population Mental Health Research has built a strong evidence-base for a case to influence Australian policy.
The detriment of detention centres on mental health
The use of immigration detention has been shown to have a detrimental affect on the psychological wellbeing of asylum seekers. These people most often arrive in a fragile mental state, already suffering trauma from having from human rights abuses, including torture and persecution in their own country. On arrival at our shores, asylum seekers are then detained for any length of time.
According to one of Australia’s most eminent researchers in the field, psychologist Zachary Steel, the devastating psychological consequences of detention centres and onshore treatment of asylum seekers can be understood in terms of basic human rights.
“It’s been long understood that infringements of human rights causes mental health to significantly deteriorate,” said Dr Steel. “The way asylum seekers are detained under Australian Law infringes on their civil rights – whereby our system arbitrarily places these people in detention, with no merit-based review.”
“Following the trauma they have fled, asylum seekers need a safe recovery environment to help them overcome the issues of their past. Detention centres do not promote this positive healing process. Therefore, the health and
wellbeing of these people is diminished.”
In Australia, more than 90 per cent of detained asylum seekers are let into the community. For many of these people, the psychological consequences of being detained lasts a lifetime and can include depression, trauma, psychological
damage and anxiety.
“These people are permanently affected by their detention experiences and are found to have serious long-term mental health issues. Once let back into society, they may be incapacitated from reaching their full potential,” said Dr Steel.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Dr Steel said the Centre for Population Mental Health Research has built a strong evidence-base for a case to influence Australian policy.
The Australian Pyschological Society calls politicians to 'reduce detention time for asylum seekers, especially children'
I was just visiting the Australian Pyshcological Society Website and looking at thier media releases. I found this article particularly interesting.
It says:
"The Australian Psychological Society is calling on both political parties to minimise psychological trauma on asylum seekers by processing asylum claims as soon as possible and reducing overall the time that refugees spend in detention."
"The Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society Professor Lyn Littlefield said, "Prolonged periods of detention have negative psychological effects, especially on children and young people. We hope both political parties can commit to reducing detention periods for the mental wellbeing of these vulnerable people, most of whom will go on to become Australian citizens."
You can read the full article at
http://www.psychology.org.au/news/media_releases/18aug2010-2
I think it is worth reading and considering the effect that detention has on asylum seekers when figuring out your position on the topic. I personally was encouraged to see the psychological society addressing these issues with the major political parties, both of whom need to seriously consider their policies on refugees.
It says:
"The Australian Psychological Society is calling on both political parties to minimise psychological trauma on asylum seekers by processing asylum claims as soon as possible and reducing overall the time that refugees spend in detention."
"The Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society Professor Lyn Littlefield said, "Prolonged periods of detention have negative psychological effects, especially on children and young people. We hope both political parties can commit to reducing detention periods for the mental wellbeing of these vulnerable people, most of whom will go on to become Australian citizens."
You can read the full article at
http://www.psychology.org.au/news/media_releases/18aug2010-2
I think it is worth reading and considering the effect that detention has on asylum seekers when figuring out your position on the topic. I personally was encouraged to see the psychological society addressing these issues with the major political parties, both of whom need to seriously consider their policies on refugees.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Shift Happens
I don't know about you, but I find this scary. It makes the future look even more uncertain than what it already did. Realistically, we can't even fathom the implications of these changes to our world, how they will affect us and our children.
On the other hand, it is watching stuff like this that makes me so appreciate the unchangingness of our God - the Alpha and Omega, who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In a constantly changing world, I need to be able to rely on an unchanging God.
One Love | Playing For Change | Song Around the World
'Playing For Change is a movement to connect the world through music. The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.'
~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change
Purely from a muscial perspective, music often can become so much more richer when we blend the use and treatment of various instruments in different cultures together.
Have a listen and see what you think
Don't Worry | Playing For Change | Song Around the World
'Playing For Change is a movement to connect the world through music. The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.'
~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change
Purely from a muscial perspective, music often can become so much more richer when we blend the use and treatment of various instruments in different cultures together.
Have a listen and see what you think
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Stop the Traffik Part Three
We can all do are bit to STOP THE TRAFFIK by signing the Declaration and adding our voices to the global petition which is drawing the attention of our government to the traffiking that exists here in Australia and around the globe, and is calling them to respond.
You can complete this declaration on line at
http://www.stopthetraffik.org.au/stt/help/declaration.asp
This petition asks the House of Representatives to:
1. Urge and support all countries in the Asia-Pacific region becoming parties to, and effectively implementing, the international treaties that deal with people trafficking and exploited child labour.
2. Support international programs to deal with exploited child labour and people trafficking within the Asia-Pacific region including:
• An annual contribution of US$2.1 million to the International Program for the Elimination of Child labour (IPEC); and
• The Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) program to tackle trafficking in the Mekong region.
3. Pass legislation to enhance the Australian Government response to the needs of women being trafficked into Australia and improve access to visas and support service for victims
4. Increase support for poverty alleviation programs by increasing overseas aid to 0.7% of Gross National Income by 2015, to address poverty as a factor in facilitating people trafficking.
http://www.stopthetraffik.org.au/stt/help/declaration.asp
45,000 reasons to swap to fairtrade chocolate
Not going to comment further, this speaks for itself. Buy fair trade!!!
Stop the Traffik Part Two
Allarming Stats:
■ People trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are enslaved, the fastest growing international crime, and one of the largest sources of income for organised crime
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime
■ 1.2 million children are trafficked every year
Estimate by UNICEF
■ At least 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking.
A global alliance against forced labor, International Labour Organisation, 2005
■ 600,000-800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors.
US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2005
■ The majority of trafficked victims arguably come from the poorest countries and poorest strata of the national population.
A global alliance against forced labor, International Labour Organisation, 2005
■ Human trafficking in the second largest source of illegal income worldwide exceeded only by drugs trafficking.
(belser 2005)
■ There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk.
Un office on drugs and crime
■ People are trafficked into prostitution, begging, forced labour, military service, domestic service, forced illegal adoption, forced marriage etc.
■ Types of recruitment; include abduction, false agreement with parents, sold by parents, runaways, travel with family, orphans sold from street or institutions.
Stop the Traffik Part One
What is Traficking???
■ TRAFFICKING IS…
to be deceived or taken against your will, bought, sold and transported into slavery for sexual exploitation, sweat shops, child brides, circuses, sacrificial worship, forced begging, sale of human organs, farm labour, domestic servitude.
■ TRAFFICKING IS…
where family members and friends deceive parents to release their children or sell them for as little as $20 each, selling them on to local gangmasters or serious organised international trafficking rings.
■ TRAFFICKING IS…
growing. 2–4 MILLION men, women and children are trafficked across borders and within their own country every year. More than one person is trafficked across borders EVERY MINUTE, which is equivalent to five jumbo jets every day. a trade that earns twice as much worldwide revenue as Coca Cola.
■ TRAFFICKING IS…
where victims usually suffer repeated physical abuse, fear, torture and threats to families to break their spirits and turn them into saleable commodities. a person can be sold and trafficked many times.
Visit www.stopthetraffik.org to sign a declaration to put an end to trafficking.
Holy Frustration
You see Bones, I see an Army by Floyd McClung
an excerpt:
I was tired of meetings, Especially supersized over the top worship times and preachers who preached at people instead of talking to them from their hearts...
I have a conviction: The way we do conventional church is no longer relevant to the vast majority of unchurched people in the West... we spend so much time and energy thinking of ways to make the sacred hour on Sunday more attractive to saved people rather than equiping saved people to take the church to the world.
Did Jesus die so we can build bigger buildings and print nicer bulletins? Or did he die to have a people that are so wildy in love with him that they share his passion to go into the world to win, gather and multiply more followers of Jesus?
No one will die for a cause that is no bigger than Sunday-orientated building fixated Christianity. But people will lay down their lives for a cause that is bigger than themselves, and bigger that the local church building.
This book has influenced alot of my thinking around what church should look like. I highly recommend the read.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny has just released his latest CD Orchestrion. Orchestrion as I understand it is the name he uses to describe the method of developing ensemble-oriented music using acoustic and acousto-electric musical instruments that are mechanically controlled in a variety of ways. The link takes you to a video of how it all works. Kind of scary when you think about how long he must of spent designing and perfecting these machines to get achieve this. Impressive, but as one of my friends pointed out the other day, kind of narcissistic too.
http://www.patmetheny.com/orchestrioninfo/
Having access to this kind of technology would indeed be handy when it come to composition. Removing the need for extra musicians would be easier and more cost effective.
I am wondering though how far this concept is going to be taken? Is mechanical-ensemble solos the future of music performance. I doubt it. I am pretty sure nothing would completely take away from that cool excitement that is had when a few musicians get together for a jam session. That's where inspiration is borne, and musical energy is created.
That said, I think this CD is absolutely brilliant composition, but it is Pat Metheny after all.
Pat Metheny has just released his latest CD Orchestrion. Orchestrion as I understand it is the name he uses to describe the method of developing ensemble-oriented music using acoustic and acousto-electric musical instruments that are mechanically controlled in a variety of ways. The link takes you to a video of how it all works. Kind of scary when you think about how long he must of spent designing and perfecting these machines to get achieve this. Impressive, but as one of my friends pointed out the other day, kind of narcissistic too.
http://www.patmetheny.com/orchestrioninfo/
The project 'orchestrion' represents a conceptual direction that merges an idea from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the technologies of today to create a new, open-ended platform for musical composition, improvisation and performance.
Having access to this kind of technology would indeed be handy when it come to composition. Removing the need for extra musicians would be easier and more cost effective.
I am wondering though how far this concept is going to be taken? Is mechanical-ensemble solos the future of music performance. I doubt it. I am pretty sure nothing would completely take away from that cool excitement that is had when a few musicians get together for a jam session. That's where inspiration is borne, and musical energy is created.
That said, I think this CD is absolutely brilliant composition, but it is Pat Metheny after all.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Reaching out to others.
I was flicking through an old notebook and found some notes I had written when I was listening to someone talk at some social justice conference years ago. I came across these notes which I will share with you now. Apologies to whoevecr first coined these words or inspired me to put this on paper, something you said stuck with me, but your name did not!
I had written down these words...
You need two things to work with the poor: (though I do not think this soley applies to working with the poor)
1. Patience: We have to sow before we reap. Granted we can also be reaping what others have already sown, but we are always sowing seeds patiently sometimes not seeing the impact for a long time. therefore we must keep believing in God to be faithful to his promises. The opposite of patience is not impatience, it is unbelief.
2. Impatience: You don't have to hang out with the oppressed or the poor for very long before you have a deep impatience for the reign of God... this is right. We should be impatient for the things of the Kingdom that the poor need... freedom, sight, provision, etc... and that impatience ought to drive us into the heart of God and the word of God and a willingness to lay hold of heaven for earth... (i.e. willingness to look foolish for God, and hold out for transforming power) the only other option is to create another theology that allows us to accept things as they are.
I had written down these words...
You need two things to work with the poor: (though I do not think this soley applies to working with the poor)
1. Patience: We have to sow before we reap. Granted we can also be reaping what others have already sown, but we are always sowing seeds patiently sometimes not seeing the impact for a long time. therefore we must keep believing in God to be faithful to his promises. The opposite of patience is not impatience, it is unbelief.
2. Impatience: You don't have to hang out with the oppressed or the poor for very long before you have a deep impatience for the reign of God... this is right. We should be impatient for the things of the Kingdom that the poor need... freedom, sight, provision, etc... and that impatience ought to drive us into the heart of God and the word of God and a willingness to lay hold of heaven for earth... (i.e. willingness to look foolish for God, and hold out for transforming power) the only other option is to create another theology that allows us to accept things as they are.
Letting God Break your heart, but seeing with eyes of FAITH
I was just having a read of a post - albeit from a while back - on my good friend Billy's page.
http://kidsmin.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/heart-broken/
In it, Billy was sharing about those moments when your heart breaks for someone after seing a deep need in their situation. Billy wrote that your heart breaks..
'...in that moment where you decide to walk for a while in someone else’s shoes, to take the focus off yourself and SEE with eyes of faith and a HEART of compassion. Too often we get caught up in our own world and find it hard to openly care for others or lend a hand to people in need without expecting ANYTHING in return.'
I know the notion that we should allow our hearts to break for others is not new. It makes sence that we need to let our hearts break so that we are moved to respond with compassion. But when Billy mentioned taking the focus of yourself and SEEING with eyes of faith and a HEART of compassion something new hit home. It hadn't really struck me until now how when we let our hearts break for someone, we also need to SEE with eyes of faith. I am now beginning to wonder what a difference that would indeed make. For us to look on other peoples bleak situations, and not just take pity, but SEE with eyes of faith that what you do CAN make a difference, and to see with eyes of faith how a situation could look different for them. Some situations can seem so hopeless, expecially for those living in it, they can feel so beaten, but when God breaks our heart for someone, it is not so we will feel beaten too.
Next time my heart is broken over someone, somthing, and my heart wells up with compassion, I am going to try and lift my perspective and ask God to help me to see with eyes of faith. And if the person I am helping no longer has the faith to believe things can improve I can still call on my God in faith, and maybe that can rely on my faith for while?
http://kidsmin.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/heart-broken/
In it, Billy was sharing about those moments when your heart breaks for someone after seing a deep need in their situation. Billy wrote that your heart breaks..
'...in that moment where you decide to walk for a while in someone else’s shoes, to take the focus off yourself and SEE with eyes of faith and a HEART of compassion. Too often we get caught up in our own world and find it hard to openly care for others or lend a hand to people in need without expecting ANYTHING in return.'
I know the notion that we should allow our hearts to break for others is not new. It makes sence that we need to let our hearts break so that we are moved to respond with compassion. But when Billy mentioned taking the focus of yourself and SEEING with eyes of faith and a HEART of compassion something new hit home. It hadn't really struck me until now how when we let our hearts break for someone, we also need to SEE with eyes of faith. I am now beginning to wonder what a difference that would indeed make. For us to look on other peoples bleak situations, and not just take pity, but SEE with eyes of faith that what you do CAN make a difference, and to see with eyes of faith how a situation could look different for them. Some situations can seem so hopeless, expecially for those living in it, they can feel so beaten, but when God breaks our heart for someone, it is not so we will feel beaten too.
Next time my heart is broken over someone, somthing, and my heart wells up with compassion, I am going to try and lift my perspective and ask God to help me to see with eyes of faith. And if the person I am helping no longer has the faith to believe things can improve I can still call on my God in faith, and maybe that can rely on my faith for while?
Seeing what God is up to...
Been reading this verse and thinking it just about sums up what I've been thinking about my own life lately.
“So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians. 4:16-18 MSG
I know right now, from the outside it might look like life isn't going exactly great for me with my hip falling apart and making it impossible for me to do - well alot, but the truth is, there is not a day that goes by without God's unfolding grace. There is more going on here than meets the eye, I sometimes wish that what God was/is doing, the way he is loving me was more obvious than outside circumstances, becuase I know that what God is doing in me, the way he is preparing me for his work, and the stuff he is doing through me even in my incapacited state are the things that will last forever. This pain right now is short lived when compared to the good times that are coming, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
“So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians. 4:16-18 MSG
I know right now, from the outside it might look like life isn't going exactly great for me with my hip falling apart and making it impossible for me to do - well alot, but the truth is, there is not a day that goes by without God's unfolding grace. There is more going on here than meets the eye, I sometimes wish that what God was/is doing, the way he is loving me was more obvious than outside circumstances, becuase I know that what God is doing in me, the way he is preparing me for his work, and the stuff he is doing through me even in my incapacited state are the things that will last forever. This pain right now is short lived when compared to the good times that are coming, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
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