About DAN
Past Events in Melbourne
At present DAN has organised and run over ten public awareness raising events in Melbourne and Sydney.
Montsalvat Benefit Dinner (August 2006)
DAN held a 120 seat benefit dinner on the 27th of August at Montsalvat in Eltham – incorporating traditional Darfuri cuisine, live African performance, speakers and photographic displays.
Global Day for Darfur (September 2006)
On the 17th September 2006 DAN took part in Global Day for Darfur by organising a mass demonstration on the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets in the CBD. In planning this event DAN put out a call to a wide array of percussionists and African drummers to participate in the demonstration by creating a mass drumming circle to make NOISE for Darfur. Attendees of the demonstration wore blue headbands to symbolise the urgent need for the protection of a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur.
Film Screening - All About Darfur (September 2006)
DAN also ran a public film screening event on the 17th of September at a venue in Fitzroy involving a local band and screening Darfuri/British filmmaker Taghred Elsanhouri’s internationally acclaimed film, All About Darfur.
NOISE for Darfur (October 2006)
On the 28th of October 2006 DAN organised and ran NOISE for Darfur at Federation square to coincide with Refugee Week 2006. This cross-cultural event featured a range of musical performances, a welcome by Melbourne mayor John So, a dance performance by the Darfur community, informative speakers and the debut screening of Noise on Film, a film created by DAN volunteers in which a range of influential Australians including the Governor of Victoria David de Kretser and local members of the Darfur community answered the question, 'Why should Australian's make noise for Darfur?'. The event also included a childrens workshop, photographic exhibition and a multimedia tent. Triple J's Hack program covered the day as their special on Refugee Week providing nation-wide coverage of the event, and local community radio station Syn FM also broadcasted live on the day and invited a range of refugees from the Darfur community to speak on air.
Fire in the Night (Dec 2006)
On 10th December DAN ran ‘Fire In the Night’. With this event, DAN aimed to spotlight the high incidence of rape and other sexual violence used as a war tactic in Darfur. Fire was used to symbolize the perils Darfuri women face when gathering firewood outside of the protection of their camps. While the event was held on International Human Rights Day, the focus was solely on women’s issues and provided an opportunity for female members of the Darfur refugee community to give a feminine perspective on the violence in Darfur. The event featured performances by local musicians Emily Williams and Felicity Hunter. The speakers of the evening were Zahra Matar, a Darfuri refugee who is raising her family in Melbourne while working towards her physician’s license, Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, and Nicki Lees from Amnesty International who highlighted the fact that sexual and gender-based violence is a crime against humanity. Senator Natasha Stott Despoja also wrote a speech to be read at the event in her absence.Global Day for Darfur (April 2007)
On April 29th the film "Noise for Darfur" was screened at Federation Square as a symbolic gesture on the day, which saw protests aroudn the world. Members of the Darfur community were present at the screening.
A public lecture was also held in Melbourne on 1st May to commemorate the day. Over 100 people attended the debate and discussion about what Australia and the international community should do to restore the peace in Darfur. Speakers included Mr Michael Danby MP, Ms Pamela Bone, Dr Alex Bellamy and Mr Abdelhadi Matar. The debate was mediated by Richard Simpson.
Refugee Week (June 2007)
Global Day for Darfur Rally (September 2007)
On the 15th September, DAN held a rally in Melbourne to commemorate Global Day for Darfur. Several hundred participants marching from Federation Square to the state library, led by a group of drummers and chanting.
Once at the State Library, speeches were given by Abdelhadi Matar (DAN Spokesperson and President of the Darfur Community Association of Darfur), Alpha Lisimba (DAN Vice President), Dylan Tromp (DAN Research Coordinator), Waffa Adam (an 11 year old girl from the Darfur Community in Melbourne) and Stephanie Cousins (President of the Darfur Australia Network).
A symbolic action was also held with all participants wearing red blindfolds for a two minute silence to remember the people of Darfur and to urge the world to not look away from Darfur.
Forgotten People Project (October 2007)
Human Rights Torch Relay (November 2007)
Inspired by the Olympic torch relay, this alternative, global Human Rights Torch Relay is a grassroots campaign set to make its way around the world. It will raise awareness about, and hopes to end the gross human rights violations in communist China.
The Human Rights Torch Relay is currently making its way across Australia and arrives in Melbourne on Friday 16th November. DAN has joined the Human Rights Torch Relay to say no to China sending arms to Darfur and Human Rights abuse in China. Join the Human Rights Torch Relay to support the end of human rights abuse from China and spread the message that ‘Olympics and Crimes against humanity cannot coexist!”
Opening Ceremony: 16th November, 7.30 - 10pm, Federation Square
Outstanding singer, Ajak Kwai will be performing on the night and there will be a speech from Alpha Lisimba, Vice President of the Darfur Community Association of Australia
Torch Relay: 17th November, 11am, Queen Victoria Gardens (opposite Arts centre)
The festive parade kicks of at 11 am from Victoria Gardens and will make its way through the city. Come and support the Darfur Australia Network torch bearer and make some noise for Darfur!
For more info go to www.humanrightstorch.org