1940's
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In 1948, Australian Council for the World Council of Churches (ACWCC) was founded. An assortment of various goods and funds were sent to Europe to assist war refugees.
On Christmas Day 1949, The Rev. Frank Byatt placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked all present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal. Frank urged his guests to reflect on their good fortunes and encouraged them to do something selfless for the people around the world who are victims of disease, poverty and violence. The very first Christmas Bowl raised ₤1,808, but has now reached over $2 million each year.
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1950's
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Act for Peace (then known as ACWCC Resettlement and refugee agency), was set up to assist refugees in Australia in Melbourne and Sydney. |
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1960's
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ACWCC was renamed the Australian Council of Churches (ACC).
Our international aid work trebled with program workers assigned to projects overseas for two year periods and an expanded refugee welfare service. Support for the project work of the World Council of Churches and the East Asia Christian Conference continued. Our own international partnerships began to develop around the world.
We supported NGO efforts on food issues by helping to establish the Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC).
Our resettlement work included short term accommodation for refugees.
We supported NGO cooperation as one of the founding members of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA).
We make significant contributions to the Aboriginal Development Fund of the ACC
Medical teams were assigned to specific emergencies in Vietnam, Biafra/Nigeria, Lebanon.
Material Aid projects were set up where food and other goods were sent until policy changed favouring the sending money.
Our first regular giving program Forceten (now Act for Peace Partners) was established as an education and monthly giving scheme for Australians to contribute to international aid work.
Work Teams of young people were sent to Hong Kong & Indonesia.
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1970's
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Our work expanded and we took on more overseas development work and humanitarian work in Australia.
Advocacy and vital work relating to the human rights violations & protection needs in Africa, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, El Salvador & Nicaragua was carried out.
We cosponsored the UNCTAD IV Project focusing on world trade and the economic structures of injustice.
Along with ACR (now Caritas) and St Vincent de Paul Society, we set up Trading Partners, a not for profit fair trade company which imported goods from international partners.
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1980’s
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We helped administer scholarships for South African students in Australia who had fled the Apartheid regime.
We were involved in peace and anti-nuclear war movement by organising national hearings on the nuclear weapons issues, were also concerned with the impact of nuclear testing, nuclear ship visits & superpower rivalry in the Pacific region.
We supported setting up the Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism.
We supported the campaign to end Third World Debt.
We closed our Melbourne Refugee Resettlement Department and changed to a stronger parish education & promotion of the Government’s Community Refugee Resettlement Scheme (CRSS) for supporting refugees via the off-shore program.
ACC set up the Aboriginal & Islander Commission (AIC).
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1990’s
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Key areas supported included the Horn of Africa, Burma, Cambodia and former Yugoslavia.
We supported the Australian Campaign to Ban Landmines and later included support for projects.
We supported the setting up of End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism (ECPAT).
Australian Churches formed National Council of Churches in Australia to replace the ACC, with full membership of Roman Catholic Church. Commission for Christian World Service (CWS) replaced Division of World Christian Action.
We helped to set up asylum seeker support networks, via provision of welfare needs and rights and advocacy with governments.
We supported Jubilee 2000 (Poor Country Debt campaign) and hosted the campaign until 2008.
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2000’s
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Key areas of support include Sudan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Indonesia, as well as the Pacific and with Indigenous and refugee communities in Australia.
Forceten was replaced by what is now known as Act for Peace Partners and Caritas Hopegivers. Act for Peace Partners are those supporters who have chosen to support our projects with regular gifts. Simply Sharing Week remains as a joint initiative of Act for Peace and Caritas Australia.
We became Act for Peace and increased our focus on peacemaking.
We celebrated 60 years of ecumenical aid and development as the Christmas Bowl celebrated its 60th Birthday.
We empower communities to act for peace wherever conflicts occur by working with long-term project partners in helping communities to provide protection, prevent further conflict, manage disasters and reduce poverty. |