Melbourne: ARAN Conference – Australian Refugee Action Network

Australian Refugee Action Network
Second National Conference

Melbourne, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July, 2018

 

Venue:  ANMF Building

(Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
– Victorian Branch)

535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne , Victoria 3000

The ARAN conference is open to anyone interested in refugee activism and advocacy.

Gather with other activists and advocates to:

• Discuss the political context and campaign priorities

• Share ideas and experience for mobilising and effective campaigning

• Explore ideas for strengthening national coordination

OVERVIEW OF THE CONFERENCE

Friday 6th July

Unionists for Refugees Meeting – 2:30pm-4.30pm

Saturday 7th July

Conference program – 8.30am – 5.15pm
Conference Dinner – 6.30pm

Sunday 8th July

Conference Program – 9am-11.30am
Morning Tea – 11.30am-12noon
Election of ARAN Committee – nominated delegates – 12noon-1pm
ARAN Committee meeting & lunch 1-2pm

Conference fees

Concession $40 Full $75
Conference dinner $35

BOOK YOUR PLACE AT THE CONFERENCE now at www.trybooking.com/375468

DONATIONS WELCOME

If you can’t attend the conference, but would like to support a person from refugee background to attend, you can make a donation on this booking site – all donations will be much appreciated.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

The conference program will include opportunities to:

• Reflect on the current context and political environment
• Consider campaigning priorities and strategies
• Sharing success stories
• Workshops to share knowledge and skills
• Interest group networks
• Informal networking

Workshops include:

• Protests, actions & vigils
• Lobbying politicians and letter writing
• Raising community awareness and changing attitudes
• Creative Activism
• Campaign planning
• Media strategies
• Social media campaigning
• Self Advocacy – sharing your experience to influence decision-makers and get your point of view heard
  Establishing and building activist groups

Networking Interest Groups:

If you are interested in being part of a national network you might like to participate in one of the networking sessions:

• Unionists
• Faith communities
• LGBTI
• Students and campus groups

Note: Union members are also invited to attend a meeting with Union officials and representatives from Unionists for Refugees at a preconference meeting on Friday 6 July 2.30-4.30pm at conference venue.

Discussion on how ARAN can contribute to strengthening the campaign for refugee rights

• networking and information sharing between member groups
• supporting member groups
• input from member groups

Election of ARAN Committee

The ARAN Committee is elected by delegates from the member groups – each member group is invited to nominate two delegates to vote on the candidates for election.

ARAN member groups are invited to:

1. Nominate two delegates to vote in the election to choose the ARAN Committee members for 2018-19. Delegates will need to be present at the Conference session on Sunday morning  (8 July)
2. Nominate one or more candidates to stand for election to the Committee (noting that the Committee only one representative from any member group may be elected).  Note:  Delegates may also be candidates.   Candidates will need to provide a brief statement about why they are standing for election to the ARAN Committee.  Ideally candidates will be present at the election session, but candidates may be elected in absentia.

ARAN member groups will be asked to provide the names of delegates (and any candidates) by mid-late June.    

Further information about how the process for the election will work will be provided in a future ARAN Update.

A more detailed program will be available shortly.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: there are low cost accommodation options near the conference venue. Some of these are:

https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6371-ibis-budget-melbourne-cbd/index.shtml#section-description  Ibis Hotel   97-103 Elizabeth Street Close to conference venue

http://www.jasperhotel.com.au/   Jasper Hotel   489 Elizabeth Street    Closest to conference venue

Perfectly located on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s thriving Market Precinct, the vibrant, newly refurbished Jasper Hotel is a full-service boutique hotel offering 90 contemporary rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, casual dining options at Jasper Kitchen and extensive conference and meeting facilities.

http://www.cqmelbourne.com.au/our-venues/citiclub-hotel/hotel-rooms-online-bookings  CitiClub   113 Queen St close to conference venue    Affordable double and twin rooms

https://greatsouthernhotel.com.au/great-southern-hotel-melbourne/       Great Southern Hotel    44 Spencer St, Great Southern Hotel Melbourne – Excellent, affordable accommodation in the heart of Melbourne City. Great Southern Hotel Melbourne is close proximity to public transport, restaurants, night life and shopping district, ideal for leisure and corporate clientele.

http://www.auraonflinders.com.au/     Aura Apartments   534 Flinders St, 1 bedroom   $119  (2/3 people), Two bedroom  (4 singles)   $199

https://spacehotel.com.au/       Space Hotel    380 Russell St, Melbourne. Space Hotel is a merge between up-market backpacker accommodation and budget boutique hotel. This is budget accommodation as it was never meant to be. Offering a wide range of room options for budgets both big and small. With modern designer rooms featuring iPod-docking stations, high quality mattresses and flat screen TVs, not to mention spaces to play games, watch movies, workout and lounge around; it’s the best way to discover all that Melbourne has to offer.

http://www.citycentrebudgethotel.com.au/       City Centre Budget Hotel      22 Little Collins St, Cheap rates – A small 40 room family run Hotel with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, offering good quality, clean budget accommodation.  All our Double, Twin, Family and Single rooms have opening windows for natural ventilation, 32 inch LCD TV, Fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, and Free wireless internet access in room.

https://www.atlantishotel.com.au/about/    Atlantis Hotel   300 Spencer Street

http://urbancentral.com.au/cheap-accommodation-melbourne.html      Urban Central     334 City Rd, Melbourne Backpackers, dormitory, double rooms, twin rooms, family rooms ( low price, 5 minutes’ walk to the free tram zone)

Home Stay/Billets

A limited number of home stays with local activists will be arranged – if you wish to register for a home stay choose this option when you book.

CONFERENCE VENUE: 

ANMF Building, 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (near Victoria Market) See map here

Venue for the conference is generously provided by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation – Victorian Branch.

WANT MORE INFORMATION? 

Email  including your phone number if you would like a call back. Use Subject line – ARAN Conference enquiry.

 Read the report on the first national conference held in 2017 here