THE Vinnies School Social Justice Day gave “a strong message that no human being is illegal”, in reference to Australia’s response to asylum seekers, co-ordinator Cassandra Bull said.
About 200 students and teachers attended the day, which was hosted by Mt Alvernia College, Kedron, on February 28.
The day was aimed at raising awareness among high school students across south-east Queensland about refugees and asylum seekers.
Twenty-five schools from surrounding Brisbane suburbs, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Ipswich attended.
“Students participated in activities and workshops that aimed at deepening their knowledge about the complex situations surrounding refugees and asylum seekers,” Miss Bull said.
“We aimed to look at the ‘humanity’ of each individual, and to debunk the myths associated with the topic,” she said.
Miss Bull said there was a lot of positive feedback from the day, particularly from teachers of the participating schools.
A number of teachers said students were better informed about refugees and asylum seekers as a result of participating in the event, and that many were challenged to rethink their opinions.
Vinnies partnered with Caritas Australia, Catholic Mission and Project Hatch, in staging the day, and was supported by Experience Wellbeing Ministry, Trading Circle and Brisbane Vocations Centre.
The local St Vincent de Paul Society conference members supported the event.
The day concluded with a Liturgy of the Word led by Brisbane archdiocese’s vocations director Fr Morgan Batt.
