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NAGM freeze protest, Freedom Square and Google offices, Melbourne,
5 July. Watch a slide show to see what happened during NAGM 2008

Challenged and inspired

More than 100 delegates to Amnesty International Australia’s National Annual General Meeting in Melbourne were both challenged and inspired during the three-day meeting that ended on 6 July.

Guest speakers included recognised leaders in the field of human rights such as Julian Burnside QC, George Williams and Larissa Behrendt. They were joined by speakers from groups as diverse as World Vision, the YWCA and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus.

Personal stories were told by a member of the stolen generation here in Australia and refugees from human rights abuses in Sudan and China.

Workshop sessions prompted interactive discussion on a range of topics from motivating activism to social networking and creating future leaders; and from media engagement to discussion of our China campaign and lived experiences of human rights abuse.

The welcome by outgoing National President Georgina Perry and Victorian Branch President Michael Butler, and an inspirational speech to the public forum by National Director Claire Mallinson, set the tone, calling on us all to accept the human rights challenges ahead.

Delegates and staff took up the challenge with a freeze action in Federation Square on human rights abuse and internet repression in China. This was followed by a slogan-chanting march through the city and a display of solidarity outside the Google offices.

Delegates from the Youth Conference held immediately prior to the Annual General Meeting brought fresh ideas and positive energy. Numerous resolutions were thoroughly debated in breakout workshops and during the meeting itself. The majority were passed with unanimous agreement reached. Board elections were contested by a strong field of applicants.

A new Board was elected with Nicole Bieske as National President, Michael Butler as Secretary and Dawna Wright as Treasurer.

A Message for China

NAGM delegates took to the streets of Melbourne on 5 July to send China the strongest possible message to put a stop to human rights abuses and end internet repression.

It started with an action in Federation Square, where more than 100 delegates “froze” in position for some minutes with banners and postcard actions on display. The freeze action had pedestrians and motorists alike pausing to take find out what it was all about.

A slogan-chanting march through the city followed, ending outside Google’s Melbourne office and loudly reminding the organisation of its own ‘Do No Evil’ slogan.

National Director Claire Mallinson and China Campaign Coordinator Sophie Peer attempted to deliver a letter to Google but were refused entry to the building.

Meanwhile the delegates presented a wall of yellow banners to passing motorists before Claire addressed the crowd and declared the action over.

Available copies and text of NAGM 2008 presentations,resolutions and speeches can be found below on the NAGM wiki site.