Cricketing Ian Chappell
announced the appointment of young Australians Sophie
Weldon and Adut Dau Atem as Australia for UNHCR’s
inaugural Special Youth Representatives on Monday June
20, World Refugee Day. The announcement was made at
the World Refugee Day Breakfast in Sydney on Friday
June 17 at the Westin Hotel where 350 guests gathered
to celebrate the contribution of refugees.
Sophie and
Adut joined existing Special Representatives, Ian Chappell
and Jane Turner (star of Kath & Kim)
to raise public awareness in the Australian community
of the plight of the world’s 17 million refugees
and to raise funds for the UN Refugee Agency’s
international humanitarian programs for refugees. Sophie
is a Year 10 student from Sydney’s Glenaeon Rudolf
Steiner School and Adut is now studying Medical Science
at Canberra University.
Ian Chappell said “ I can’t
think of two better people to take on the important work
of informing young people about how and why people become
refugees. In addition they will raise funds urgently
needed by the UN Refugee Agency to carry on its work
protecting vulnerable people and helping them to get
back on their feet. Sophie and Adut are proof that we
can all make a difference.”
Sophie Weldon said “Before I met Adut and heard
about her story I didn’t really understand what
the UNHCR was or what role they played or even what
the letters stood for! Now when I see the blue plastic
and the UNHCR logo on television broadcasts of refugees
all over the world I know what it means to those people,
what it meant to Adut and her cousin Abuk,
it meant recognition, safety and hope. I am honoured
to have a part in enabling more young people to understand
the work of the UNHCR and its even more special because
I am sharing it with Adut.”
Adut said "It is
very special for me to have this honour, to talk to
young people about what it is like of be a refugee,
about the work of the UNHCR. I have experienced first
hand, as an eight year old girl, what it is like to
be saved by the UNHCR, to be given food or shelter
when you are driven from your home and family, now
I want my voice to keep alive the plight of the refugees
still in the camps so they are not forgotten. No one
wants to be a refugee, they just want to live a normal
life like everyone else but they are powerless to change
the situation in their country, to change their circumstances".
Naomi Steer, National Director
of Australia for UNHCR said “ Around 50 % of the world’s refugees
are children and we are delighted that Adut and Sophie
will become their advocates. There is a great deal
of interest from young Australians in refugees and
our Special Youth Representatives will be able to educate
and inform them at their own level.”
---------------------------
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sophie Weldon and Adut Dau Atem
Almost two years ago Sophie, a year 10 student from
Sydney’s Northern Beaches, decided she wanted
to enter UNHCR’s Writing Competition, “Refugees
Telling Their Stories”. Through a family friend
she was introduced to Adut who had recently arrived
in Australia after spending eight years in the Kakuma
refugee camp in Kenya following her flight from her
home in southern Sudan when planes bombed her village.
Sophie’s story of Adut’s refugee experiences
won the 2003 Competition but in the meantime a special
relationship developed between the girls and their
families that has had an enormous impact on both their
lives. While there are many painful memories for Adut,
both girls now wish to share their uplifting story
with other young people.
---------------------------
World Refugee Day
In 2000 a special UN General Assembly Resolution designated
20 June every year as World Refugee Day as a way of
recognising and celebrating the contribution of refugees
worldwide. The theme of this year’s World Refugee
Day is Courage.
Australia for UNHCR is holding its annual breakfast
in Sydney for World Refugee Day on Friday June 17 2005.
Sandra Sully, one of the country’s most popular
news broadcasters, will MC the breakfast which will
be launched by the Hon James Spigelman, the NSW Chief
Justice. The Keynote Speaker is Huy Truong, CEO of
Jurlique and co-founder of WishList.com. Ian Chappell
will officially announce the appointment of Sophie
Weldon and Adut Dau Atem as Australia for UNHCR’s
Special Youth Representatives.
For further information contact Sue Cowden on sue.cowden@australiaforunhcr.org.au
or call 02 9262 5377.
---------------------------
Australia for UNHCR
Australia for UNHCR is a not-for-profit organisation
which raises funds to support the UN Refugee Agency’s
international humanitarian programs for refugees. UNHCR
has a mandate from the UN to protect and assist the
world’s refugees. UNHCR must seek over 97% of
its funding from governments, corporations and individuals.
For further information go to www.australiaforunhcr.org.au
|
