Conference Details
Intro | Registration | Conference Details | About Voices for Justice | Promotions | FAQs | Host a Vigil
Venues & Program
SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Lobby Leaders Registration |
| 9:30 - 11:00 | Lobby Group Leaders Briefing |
| 10:30 | Registrations Open | Micah Marketplace open |
| 11:30 - 12:45 | Opening Session |
| 12:45 - 1:30 | Lunch | Micah Marketplace | Prayer Room |
| 1:30 - 2:00 | Personal Narrative in Lobby groups | KIDS SESSION |
| 2:15 - 3:45 | Simulation and Debrief |
| 3:45 - 4:15 | Afternoon Tea | Micah Marketplace | Prayer Room |
| 4:15 - 5:15 | Policy & Political Briefing | YOUTH SESSION | KIDS SESSION |
| 5:15 – 5:45 | Making it Count – How to have a good MP meeting |
| 5:45 – 6:30 | Lobby Group Session |
| 6:30 - 8:30 | Celebration Dinner and Main Session |
| 8:30 | Closing Announcement |
| 8:45 | Go to accommodation |
SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER
| 10:00 - 11:15 | Main Session |
| 11:15 - 11:45 | Morning Tea |
| 11:45 - 12:30 | Workshop#1 |
| 10:00 - 12.30 | YOUTH SESSION | KIDS SESSION |
| 12:30 - 1.15 | Lunch | Micah Marketplace | Prayer Room |
| 1.15 - 2.15 | Afternoon Session |
| 2:15 - 3:00 | Lobby Group Activities | YOUTH SESSION | KIDS SESSION |
| 3.00 - 3:15 | Afternoon Tea | Micah Marketplace | Prayer Room |
| 3:15 - 4:00 | Lobby Group to Cluster Groups |
| 4:00 - 5:00 | Workshop#2 |
| 5:00 - 5:50 | Workshops#3 |
| 4.00 - 6:00 | KIDS SESSION | YOUTH SESSION |
| 6:00 - 7:30 | Church Service/Evening Session With Hughes Baptist Church |
| 7.30 - 8.30 | Dinner - Cluster Groups |
| 8.45 | Go To Accommodation |
MONDAY 12TH OCTOBER
Parliament House, Canberra and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
Please note: Participants will need to organise their own meals Monday-Tuesday.
During the day participants will be involved in lobby meetings at various times within Parliament House, as well as campaign training and preparation for local advocacy actions at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (which is within walking distance of APH).
4:30-5:30 pm | Political Forum - Pacific Challenges and Australian Engagement
7:30pm | Prayer Vigil - Queen Victoria Terrace & Federation Mall proceeding to Parliament House Front Lawns. More details here.
TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER
Parliament House, Canberra and Canberra City Uniting Church.
During the day participants will be involved in lobby meetings at various times within Parliament House, as well as campaign training and preparation for local advocacy actions at Canberra City Uniting Church. We will be providing a shuttle bus to transport back and fourth to Uniting Church.
Tuesday will close with a send off at 5pm.
Micah Marketplace and Prayer Room
A dedicated, creative and interactive Prayer Room will be available across the weekend to help us prepare for our advocacy in Parliament, and as another opportunity to raise our voice for justice as we speak and listen to the God of Justice.
Micah Marketplace is a space for community, resourcing, interaction, and creative performance art. Open during most meal breaks and before sessions, this space will feature agency stalls, the coffee cart, a fair trade stall, and the Micah resource station.
Workshops
Conference participants will the option of attending three out of the six available workshops below. Each workshop will be hosted by a leader in the church, development or advocacy circles and will provide the opportunity for more indepth exploration of areas we will touch on more broadly across the conference. More details to come & workshops subject to change.
- Climate conversations
- Campaign for Australian Aid
- Prayer and advocacy
- Australia's aid program
- Community organising strategies & skills
- Theology of political engagement
- Partner stories
Accommodation & Billeting
Transport
Meals
Some meals will be provided during the gathering - these include lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Participants will need to arrange all other meals. Lunch can be purchased at Parliament House on Monday and Tuesday from the Queen's Terrace Café.
Families at Voices for Justice 2015
On Saturday and Sunday, chilldren can participate in special VFJ kids workshops and activities focussed on advocacy, faith, and justice. Primary-aged children will need to be registered for this program separately, however please indicate their attendance and include payment for them on one adult registration. Kids under 5 are free.
Please note that parents will need to supervise their children on Monday and Tuesday. Please contact Pip Berglund with enquiries.
Youth Program
Voices for Justice 2015 will included a dedicated youth stream for High School Students attending the conference with a parent/teacher. Youth will be trained in advocacy, participate in lobby groups with their local MP, take creative action in Canberra City and learn how to take action in their school communities. Youth will be required to wear their uniforms at Parliament House. For more information about the youth program, contact Pip Berglund.
Preparation
Briefing Packs for participants with preparatory readings on our campaign policy asks will be emailed to you prior to the gathering. We ask you to read these before the gathering commences. To keep up to date with information about the gathering keep your eye on our website and check your emails.