Posted in News on 19 October, 2013
Media Release-Arab Council Raises Awareness during Anti-Poverty Week
Arab Council Australia will be organising a number of activities during the annual Anti-Poverty Week held from the 13th to 19th October 2013.
Anti-Poverty Week was established 11 years ago to coincide with the United Nation's annual International Anti-Poverty Day which falls on 17 October. During the week, activities are held around Australia. These activities increase public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship and encourage research, discussions and action to address these problems.
In Australia, 2.2 million people live in poverty and these figures include 600,000 children. This means 1 in 8 people overall and 1 in 6 children live below the poverty line (ACOSS 2012).
“We are highly supportive of anti-poverty week here in Australia. For us to have such high and increasing levels of poverty which have adverse effects society, on families, children and on young people is unacceptable. We believe that the anti poverty week provides a valuable opportunity to bring to the attention of all Australians, the fact that poverty here and around the world is everybody’s business and that we all need to take action to address it,” said Ms Randa Kattan, Arab Council’s Chief Executive Officer.
“While our organisation is always geared up to assist people facing hardship, specifically during anti poverty week, we have organised a number of activities with seniors, women and youth and everyone to help promote more discussion and action about poverty. We encourage everyone to take part in this week, said Ms Kattan.
Activities during this week include:
- Anti Poverty Morning Tea and discussion around “Poverty & Hardship” with Arabic Seniors in Auburn.
- Anti-poverty Art and craft activity and discussion with Arabic seniors in Wentworthville.
- Anti-poverty Cooking Challenge: Arabic Women's Group in a cooking challenge of healthy meals for a family of 5 for $10 or under.
- How Education Can Eliminate Poverty: interactive workshop with Punchbowl Boys High School. The workshop will launch a 4 week public speaking initiative.
Please click on the link below to view the media release