Amnesty International Australia

Amnesty International Australia's National Extraordinary General Meeting (NEGM) was held from Friday 27 November to Sunday 29 November 2009. Read more about the notice, the meeting agenda and resolutions put at the NEGM.

Report from the NEGM hosts, NSW Branch

Over 100 Amnesty International Australia activists from around the country came together at the NSW Action Centre for NEGM 2009.

At this meeting, special resolutions to the constitution were passed taking the first steps towards enhancing Amnesty International Australia’s democracy and accessibility. Ordinary (non-constitutional) resolutions were also passed, enabling us to improve the work that we do across the nation.

Attendees participated in workshops and plenaries, hearing from inspiring and challenging speakers including Ratan Gazmere, a former prisoner of conscience.

Delegates had the opportunity to debate and discuss where Amnesty International is going over the next five years and learn more about our big campaign for next year; Demand Dignity.

NEGM Highlights from participants

Dorinda Cox, NEGM Scholarship Recipient (WA)

Thank you to Amnesty International Australia for giving me the opportunity to attend the NEGM in Sydney, my favourite experience was the discussion about the Reconciliation Action Plan and work of the Indigenous campaign. I now have a better understanding of the work which AIA are doing and how this can benefit Indigenous Australians.

Jules Kajtar - NEGM Delegate, Victorian Branch

The national general meetings are always an inspiring and energising experience. It is fantastic to meet with so many passionate, committed and like-minded people. This year we had a wide range of interesting workshops and plenary sessions, but the highlight for me was the panel discussion that focussed primarily on whether Australia needs a human rights charter, or equivalent. The arguments well presented and thought provoking.

James Fehon, Youth Advisory Group (NSW)

My NEGM highlight was participating in workshops run by staff in which members were able to brainstorm and workshop ideas on how AIA can most effectively reach the goals we've set, grow, strengthen and inspire new and existing supporters (and ourselves). Besides the important governance functions, this is one of the most direct productive parts of NEGM. It's also really satisfying to have your ideas directly fed into the planning for achieving goals we all can strive towards.

Shane Roberts - NEGM Delegate, Tasmanian Branch

NEGM 2009 - my tenth AGM with Amnesty International Australia - was an enjoyable occasion for me. It was pleasing to catch up with so many friends I generally only meet at such events, but the highlight was the presentation by Ratan Gazmere, reminding us what we do is important.

NEGM Resolutions

During the meeting, the delegates from each Branch voted on a series of resolutions moved by the Board and by the Branches.

Indigenous Ceremony

Ty Madden accepts the plaque recognising the Gadigal people's traditional ownership of the land on which the NSW Action Centre is located

On Friday evening, we held an Indigenous ceremony which included the presentation of a plaque acknowledging the Gadigal people as the traditional owners of the land upon which the NSW Action Centre is located. We were very pleased to have Ty Madden attend the ceremony and accept the plaque on behalf of the Gadigal people.

June Fassina Award

The 2009 recipient of the June Fassina Award, which recognises outstanding contributions by members to Amnesty International Australia’s human rights work, is Peter Hanley.

Peter, of the Townsville group, was a popular winner, and his nomination cited:

• his contribution to the Townsville Group, and many north Queensland groups seeded from it, Queensland - northern NSW Branch, and the Amnesty International Australian Section
• his strong and dedicated leadership and advocacy abilities
• his contribution to group campaigns and fundraising
• his continued enthusiasm for engaging with new members and partners
• his individual passion for human rights work, his leading of projects aligned with Amnesty International campaigns, and
• his inspiring and committed advocacy for the rights of those who are unable to advocate for themselves.

We would like to take this opportunity to again thank him for his fantastic contribution to Amnesty International Australia.

NEGM Action - Demand Dignity

Activists signing the petition to Prime Minister Rudd

We collected over 120 signatures on a giant petition with a letter to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd calling on him to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP) , and for the full and unconditional reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act to end discrimination in the Northern Territory. We had 100 yellow balloons with the text of the Declaration printed on them in black, which were released by the group.

The giant petition, along with a few A5 photos from the day and a letter explaining the action from Anthony Mitchell (NSW BP), will be sent to Kevin Rudd.

Plenary Session - "The State of Human Rights in Australia - Some Perspectives"

Guest speakers Graeme Innes, Paul Kelly and David Marr participated in a lively and interesting panel discussion on their perspectives of human rights in Australia. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for a very enjoyable session.

Naming Ceremony for Emil Witton Reading Room

On Friday night, we also had a ceremony to recognize and celebrate the life of our fantastic volunteer, Emil Witton, who passed away in 2008. We were very pleased to have Emil’s family attending the ceremony to witness the unveiling of the plaque in the Reading Room which will now be known as the Emil Witton Reading Room.