LEADERSHIP SEMINARS

The African Think Tank is conducting FREE leadership seminars for Australian-African community leaders, especially young people who will be future leaders.

The seminars are to be held on Saturday mornings in these locations:

Footscray 17th September
Melbourne City 15 October
Shepparton 5 November
Dandenong  3 December

This will be really exciting, so make sure you get in by booking your place now:
africanthinktank (at) hotmail.com

Click on the pic for more info!

On the 20th of July, UNHCR declared a famine in East Africa.  At least 14 million people are affected, and at least 500,000 children are in danger of imminent death.  The USA has promised aid, and Australia's Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, is there at the moment, assessing need: he has also promised Australian aid.

The Somali Women's Development Association is running a very effective food aid program and has asked us to host THIS PAGE where you can donate via credit card or PayPal.

Warning: Some of the famine images on this page are distressing.

2011 International Year for People of African Descent
Race And Reason Report
South Sudanese Celebrations
 

The way ahead

Addressing the causes of violence in our community

(note: FOCUS 13 was not distributed due to technical issues)

AFRICAN THINK TANK SUBMISSION TO JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION 2011-1 REVIEW

AFRICAN THINK TANK RESPONSE TO PATHWAYS:  city of melbourne homelessness strategy

MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA: OUR NEW GOLD

Educating our children • Harmony Day • Cultural Diversity Week

(This issue states that it is produced with the assistance of EXACT Publishing, Footscray.  In fact this issue was produced by ATT volunteers.  The ATT thanks EXACT publishing for assistance with the first eleven issues of FOCUS.) 

25 January 2001

AUSTRALIA DAY Media Release added to Media Releases Section

13 January 2001: AFRICAN THINK TANK EXPRESSES DISMAY AT QLD FLOODS AND SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS  added to Media Releases Section

FOCUS ON TAXI DRIVERS WOMEN FIGHTERS IN WAR

VICTORIAN STATE PARLIAMENTARIANS ATTEND AFRICAN THINK TANK GRADUATION CEREMONIES, OFFER SUPPORT

FOR FULL STORY SEE FOCUS EIGHT ABOVE

Update at 29 June 2010:

Media Release of 27 June 2010: Congratulations to Julia Gillard on becoming Australia's first female Prime Minister

Media Release of 21 June 2010: International Refugee Week

FOCUS FOUR added.  FOCUS on the World Cup, FOCUS on Aged Care.

Site updates:

Interventions into Policing of Racialised Communities in Melbourne - A Report of the 2009/10 Racism Project added to Articles*

ATT Media Release commenting on opposition's refugee policy added to Media Releases

Joint media release from Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Federal Member for Melbourne Lindsay Tanner, and Skills and Workforce Participation Minister, and State Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike congratulating 33 members of Victoria’s African community who have been selected to undertake a 12-week leadership program at Victoria University. added to Articles

* Not to Media Releases since this is not an ATT document.

FOCUS THREE added.  FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's successor as General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches.  Dr. Karamanga, a Presbyterian theologian, is an exceedingly distinguished and well-credentialed man.   The ACC, which he has headed since 2008, is the largest pan-African ecumenical organisation on the continent, representing 120 million people from over 175 churches.Details of Dr. Karamanga's tour and his history and experience are HERE

FOCUS issue 2 is now available for download HERE  The Publications page now contains an archive of past issues of FOCUS.

WE NEED YOUR ARTICLES!  FOCUS is the most effective way to tell the world about what your community is doing and what you need to do even more!  Contributions can be sent to "Russell Jaffe" <rjaffe@tpg.com.au>
 

Biography added to Board Members - biographies section

The African Think Tank is delighted to announce the release of the first issue of FOCUS, a magazine from and for the African Communities.

This is your magazine!  Use it to tell other communities and the wider Australian community about news, events, and opinion in your communities.

FOCUS contains community news, events, opportunities such as grants, employment, submissions and training, sports and arts news and opportunities, and creative writing by members of the communities.  It is distributed very widely to community members and leaders, and also reaches decision makers in government departments, government, NGOs and other people that make decisions affecting you and your community.  FOCUS is your chance to correct misunderstandings, respond to media images that may be incorrect or biased, and tell the world the truth about the great, vibrant, and dynamic contribution that Australian-Africans make to our country.

Download the  issue 1 of FOCUS here (pdf format).

24 Feb 2010: updates done to board members biographies page.

Applications are invited to participate in the ATT's LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE

This very exciting course will be taught by leaders from the communities, government, business and NGOs.  This is your chance to find out how to use your talents to really make a difference! 
10 April 2010 to 18 September 2010
12 workshops held fortnightly on Saturdays.  Applications close 12 March.  Open to: members of Australian-African communities. Cost: Sponsorship is provided. 
Contact: Haileleul Gebre-Selaisse, Project Manager, ATT: Ph: 0429-009-912.
Email: africanthinktank@hotmail.com

Brochure is here.   Application form is here.

18 Feb 2010 - Two new speeches added to articles and speeches page.  Two new media releases added to media releases page.  Board members biographies updated.  There is lots more new material that will be added next week - check back.

  MURDER OF INDIAN STUDENT IN FOOTSCRAY

  AUSTRALIA SHOULD WORK AGAINST RACISM, NOT DENY THAT IT EXISTS

MEDIA RELEASE HERE

The African Humanitarian Aid Festival held in Sunshine on the evening of 27th December 2009 was an outstanding success.  Over 500 people attended, almost double the number expected.  The audience, performers and representatives came from a wide range of Australian-African communities, including the Eritrean, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Somali, Rwandan and Congolese communities.  Substantial funds were raised to benefit refugees in Africa.

Dr Berhan Ahmed, Chairperson of the African Think tank, pointed out that it was not possible to solve the problems of Africa and in particular the Horn of Africa region on a country-by-country basis.  For example, assistance could not be given to Eritrean refugees without the active support and assistance of the Ethiopian and Sudanese communities.  Also, when assistance was given, it was given to everyone in a particular camp or area who needed it, no matter what their background.  In addition, although this festival was the first really large event to help raise aid in Australia, it was part of an emerging pattern of co-coordinated aid and consultation that was being rapidly developed internationally to try to find assistance and solutions for the economies in Africa that had been devastated by famine and war.  The success of this festival would lead to many more such events in the future.

One of a number of musicians who came from overseas especially to support the festival was the famed singer and poet Hussain Mohammed Ali , who has been singing for peace since 1975 and is now resident in London.  He said that peace comes from words and actions, never from bullets.  Artists and musicians had to lead the way in uniting peoples and turning their hearts towards peace.

The festival was sponsored by the Eritrean Community in Australia and organised by Pen & Paper, a charity established to give educational materials to children in refugee camps, and Eritrean Australian Humanitarian Aid (EAHA).

More story and pictures HERE

New Media Release:  ATT welcomes findings of ACMA on inaccurate and biased reporting.

 The African Think Tank congratulated President Barack Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

In a letter to the President, Dr. Ahmed said in part:

" Seldom if ever, has the prize been better bestowed....(Your career and election as president) gives hope to people from all over the world and is the greatest and most undeniable proof to the whole world that everyone can aspire to greatness, no matter how humble their origins."

Dr. Berhan Ahmed returned unopposed as Chairperson.

Churchill Fellow Mr. Haileleul Gebre-Selaisse stepped down as deputy chairperson after a period of distinguished service.  the new deputy chairperson is Mrs. Faten Mohammed.  Check the Board page for changes.

The ATT annual report may be read HERE  (pdf format).
The Media Release has been added to Media Releases

Media Release: ATT response to Government Employment contracts 3 April 09

Media Release: Africans Applaud Governor-General's Visit to Africa added to media releases.
Membership form Added to membership
Board Nomination form added to board members

partial update at March 30 2009

Initial brief report is HERE

A .pdf about the positions is HERE.

The application form on the careers Victoria web site is HERE
(it is not possible to directly link to this job. Search under vacancies with Victoria Police to find the vacancy)

More Speeches by Haileluel Gebre-selassie added to Articles and Speeches tab

THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN THINK TANK,DR. BERHAN AHMED, HAS BEEN HONOURED WITH THE AWARD OF 2009 VICTORIAN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2009.

story and pictures below.

AFRICAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MUSICIANS INVITED TO ATTEND SPECIAL DAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE BUSHFIRE AND TO THANK THE VOLUNTEERS WHO FOUGHT IT.

SUNDAY, 22nd MARCH, 11.00 – 3.00
DAREBIN COMMUNITY SPORTS STADIUM
857 Plenty Rd Reservoir.