MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: March 26, 2002
CONTACT: Ms Rachel Galea
peace@acmica.org

UNIVERSITY GRADUATES REVIVE HISTORIC SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT

University graduates from Sydney are attempting to revive an old intellectual and professional movement for young Catholics that had once existed nationally in Australia.

Dating back towards the end of WW2, this faith community ceased to exist as a national identity in the 1970s.

But with the support of former members, students, academics and its international counterparts in Geneva and Kuala Lumpur this movement is being re-constituted and re-launched by way of a conference next month.

Under the new name of the Australian Catholic Movement for Intellectual & Cultural Affairs (ACMICA), it will inherit its predecessors' commitment to intellectualism, human rights and social justice.

"It is a faith community responding to the 'signs of the times' within both the Australian and global context," co-founder Mr Minh Nguyen said.

"There is a clear need for a community for young Catholic intellectuals and professionals who are challenged by contemporary questions of human rights, the environment, peace and security."

"But this movement is not a talk-fest," Mr Nguyen added. "The ultimate point of critical analysis and theological reflection is to empower members toward transformative action in their workplace, society and world."

The ACMICA launch and conference runs from April 19-20 and is expected to attract wide interest from Catholic social justice groups.

It seeks to address such issues as interfaith dialogue, Indigenous rights and women in the Church, and suggests ways of moving forward. Keynote speakers are prominent in their fields and include Prof Marc Williams, Fr Adrian Lyons, Sr Trish Madigan and Ms Joelle Battestini.

The conference is opened to everyone. If you would like to attend, or want more information call ACMICA on 0403 181 586 or email: peace@acmica.org.