MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: April 29, 2002
CONTACT: Mr Minh Nguyen
+61 403 181 586
peace@acmica.org
BROAD SUPPORT FOR CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL MOVEMENT
AT FOUNDING CONFERENCE
At the instigation of two university graduates, a historic
movement for Catholic intellectuals and professionals was
recently revived with broad support from Catholic groups and
individuals engaging in social change.
From scratch and practically without funding, Mr Minh Nguyen
and Ms Rachel Galea have managed to pool together enough interest
and support to found the Australian Catholic Movement for
Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ACMICA), a social movement
for primarily Christian professionals and intellectuals who
are committed to the building of justice and peace in solidarity
with the marginalised and excluded people.
ACMICA’s predecessor, the Newman Association, died out
in the 1970s but its historical roots can be traced back to
1944 with the founding of the University Catholic Federation
of Australia (UCFA), originally a national association of
Catholic university students.
“There have been talks of reviving this tradition over
the years. There is clearly an on-going need for it. It would
be a crime to ignore such a rich tradition that was once so
fundamental to the faith formation of people like Chris Sidoti,
the former Human Rights Commissioner, or the celebrated Rosemary
Goldie, the first woman ever to hold an official post of authority
in the Roman Curia, and countless other Catholics.” Mr
Nguyen said.
ACMICA was officially launched last month by way of a conference
at the University of Technology, Sydney, attended by over
70 representatives from the student, academic, cleric, and
grassroots communities.
The conference was welcomed by Indigenous elder, Sylvia Scott
and launched by Bill Neville, former President of ACMICA’s
international affiliate, Pax Romana, with the lighting of
the ACMICA candle to symbolise the ongoing story of the graduate
movement in Australia.
Keynote speaker Prof Marc Williams addressed changes in world
politics, criticising the undemocratic nature of the current
political economy and suggesting possibilities and limitations
in which civil society can challenge such trends.
The conference’s second keynote speaker, Sallie Saunders,
spoke from her experience working in women's refuges before
exploring what feminist-poststructuralist theory can offer
the feminist agenda for transformation.
The second day of the conference consisted of workshops dealing
with a variety of issues connected by the desire to challenge
the present in order to create a future where values of justice
and solidarity can prevail.
Comments from delegates at the Plenary drew attention to
the need for an open forum for intellectual sharing and dialogue
among Catholics, but also the network and resources necessary
to put words into action.
“This conference is about an interaction between academic
life and our Catholic faith -- that faith can engage in conversation
with intellectuals so that we can put faith into action in
the real world to the advantage of those who are normally
excluded.” Newtown Parish Priest and conference co-organiser,
Fr Peter Maher said.
According to Ms Galea, the conference was an outstanding success.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of our conference.
Participants’ feedbacks were positive, reflecting the
quality and relevance of the workshops. It also confirmed
beyond doubt the need to revive the graduate intellectual-activist
tradition in Australia and to make it an on-going reality.”
she said.
ACMICA is currently in negotiation with interested individuals
and groups in Melbourne and Adelaide, and is expected to participate
in its first international Pax Romana commitment in Bali, Indonesia, this
month.
Anyone interested in supporting ACMICA or getting involved
are encouraged to visit their website at http://www.acmica.org
or call 0403 181 586 / 0404 067 279.
See also pictures of:
|
