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“…In Australia we mostly take it for granted. Yet in poor countries, often just a few hours flight from Melbourne, people suffer every day from debilitating diseases with no help in sight. Every year more than 340,000 women die as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Every year almost 9 million children under the age of 5 die from preventable illnesses – pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and measles. Malnutrition, poor hygiene and lack of access to healthcare are the causes. The solutions are well known, proven and cost effective…”
Melbourne infused with UN conference
Away from the tougher political dialogue of the official conference and the convention centre, Melbourne is currently hosting a range of free events to promote the crucial messages of the UN and NGOs, and informing the public on what the MDGs are, and how best to achieve them by 2015.
The Melbourne Writers Festival, in conjunction with the University of Melbourne, the International Women’s Development Agency, AusAID and World Vision Australia, hosted a special festival session, titled Health at Whose Cost? Writers on Poverty and Health. On the panel, discussing issues pertinent to them and their work both locally and abroad was Dame Carol Kidu Minister for Community Development and Women in PNG, Sir Gustav Nossal, author Angela Savage, and founder and executive director of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), Dr Sakena Yacoobi.
The session was presented in partnership with One Just World and Melbourne Conversations.
Wise words, memorable messages
Kidu, insisting we had all arrived to the session ‘as concerned, active citizens,’ pushed a message of open dialogue, reminding us that ‘every mother matters.’ She referenced much of her work in PNG urging ordinary citizens to help reduce maternal mortality rates through as many avenues as possible. ‘Join a safe mothers alliance,’ was one of her concluding statements.
Dr Sakena thanked Melbourne for welcoming her with open arms, praising our ‘wonderful city,’ full of ‘warm-hearted people.’ Her tireless efforts in Afghanistan have revolutionized education for women in the war-torn region, earning her a number of awards, including the Peacemakers in Action Award of the Tanenbaum Center for Inter-religious Understanding in 2003, a Women’s Rights Prize of the Peter Gruber Foundation in 2004 and the Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy in 2005. She has also been the recipient of astounding international recognition.
All speakers presented unique ideas and stories about how best to approach the final five years of the MDGs, and participated actively in open dialogue at the conclusion of the session.
Filled seats, filled minds
The auditorium bore only a few empty seats, and the audience bathed each speaker with appreciation and applaud.
Through this events, the Melbourne Writers’ Festival provided the opportunity for speakers to spread important information about the MDGs and UN initiatives and progress. More importantly, these broader public forums increase the reach of the messages of hope and optimism that have consumed much discussion throughout the past two days.
Article written by Isabelle Tolhurst
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Photos From the Event (photos by Woodrow Wilson)
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