Christmas Reflection 2011

One often hears at this time of year that Christmas is for children.  A time where children are the centre of attention and provide a focal point for the gathering of many families across the world embracing the many dimensions of religious, cultural and consumer elements.  I certainly remember the time our first child experienced Christmas or perhaps the expectations that we his parents and grandparents anticipated for the day. If I recall correctly he slept most of the day and only paid scant attention to the many gifts from family members.

Recently I have had the opportunity to attend two conferences focusing on the rights and needs of children across the world.  The first the International World Forum held in Melbourne and more recently the Euro-Child conference in Cardiff, Wales. At both conferences the message was loud and clear that, in spite of the rhetoric worldwide on the rights and needs of children as paramount, the words are not matched by a political will in many countries, or are given only lip service and not provided with the necessary resources in others.  In some countries children are seen as expendable, abused, exploited and sold into slavery for the profit of others.  In other countries the needs of children appear to be ignored when governments find it necessary to make hard decisions about budget allocations. Many children’s services, education, housing and health programs are impaired and suffer as a result. When companies and governments down-size and unemployment grows as a result it is often the children who bear the brunt and their futures and potential for growth restricted, compromised and violated. Children and their needs do not seem to be at the top of the agenda or of the highest priority of economists and governments when solutions are being discussed to address global financial challenges with their voices drowned out by more powerful lobby groups.  While banks, financial institutions and speculators are reassured and supported; children and families find themselves struggling to pay the bills and to remain hopeful and positive. While working men and women receive small if any wage increases, the same cannot be said of many business leaders and professionals.  Ethics and morality including a concern for one’s neighbour is replaced by self-interest. While charitable giving to worthy causes is admirable it is unable to compensate enough for policies which discriminate against those least able to afford it or who lack real choice.

There are of course those who do challenge the actions of governments, rating agencies and powerful corporations when they fail to hear and listen to the cries and calls of children and families.

Many of these voices however are silenced or even ridiculed by sections of the media and other commentators, politicians and powerful operators without any sense of a shared or communal responsibility. Charitable and community organisations that deal directly with the fallout from economic and social policy strongly object and argue for a more just and equitable response to the needs of those disadvantaged. Charitable giving at Christmas time while welcome is however not sufficient.

Christmas is about a child. It is the story of the birth of a child and his later life and ministry that challenged the powerful political and religious leaders of the day to see beyond their own needs, to the needs of the widow and the orphaned. Christmas is the call of God’s justice. This is a radical call for renewal and hope, embracing a deep and reverent concern for others and the whole of creation.

The story of the birth of Jesus on that first Christmas is not just about there being no room in the inn, nor about a homeless child and refugee family some 2000 years ago. It is an account, a statement, a proclamation about the possibilities that are offered for the redemption of the whole human condition if we can gain a glimpse of the gift offered. A gift that calls us live our own lives as he lived, to share our resources with those who cannot provide their own, or who are victims of abuse, exploitation and poverty and to offer hospitality and care.

The birth of Jesus should be an unsettling moment when we see in the poverty of today the child in a manager. This is a reminder to us that our identity and being, our own redemption is compromised when we neglect the needs of frightened and lost children in today’s world.

Ray Cleary
12/12/2011

A New World for Children - The Need to Try Harder

While world leaders continue to haggle and debate solutions and financial bailouts for Greece, other European countries and their banks, and while the United States Congress remains divided over health care for the poor, the domestic economy and how to solve the Global Financial crisis, children across the globe continue to be exploited, stolen, abused, and trained as sex workers or boy soldiers. This was the clear message delivered by a range of Australian and International speakers at the recent World Forum for children held in Melbourne from the 18^th to the 21^st October.

The 22nd World Forum sponsored by the International Forum for Child Welfare brought together a range of experts from across the globe engaged in supporting and freeing children from many forms of abuse and exploitation. The theme of the conference was “Education and Children’s Wellbeing -Philosophy, Policy and Practice”. The theme was chosen to promote education as a priority goal in achieving a child’s wellbeing and potential for growth, embracing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In my opening address to the Forum I challenged participants to think outside the box and to dream beyond their initial reasons for attending, to reflect on the growing injustice to children and to be a voice with and for every child at home and abroad. I reminded those present that children in many places across the world have no voice, are treated as chattels and not only need our advocacy but demand it as a basic human right.

We often hear the words that children are our present and our future, yet in the context of the stories told and the life experiences of children in many places we heard described in the following days, the words amount to little more than rhetoric without substance or action on the part of governments and agencies committed to the wellbeing of children.  It is so easy for us in Australia and other parts of the developed world to express such hopes without realising or acknowledging that the solutions do not rest with others alone but start with us. Although television brings into our homes on a regular basis images of children dying from hunger and malnutrition, the enormity of the crisis facing children and their families does not stir us into action which would see the tragic lives of these children improved. Likewise, the response of government is less than satisfactory and assertive, particularly in light of Australia’s wealth at this time.

Abuse and exploitation of children can take many forms. It may mean emotional, physical or sexual abuse by known or unknown persons. It can mean the exploitation of children by various forms of media, by the advertising and product sales of corporations or institutions. It can be caused by lack of family, education and health support or by bullying in the playground. Solutions to all these issues require a political will by everyone and cannot be driven simply by governments. Solutions require actions not just words. Australians in recent months have raised a political storm about the ill-treatment of animals destined for the slaughterhouses in Indonesia, but seem less concerned by the preventable deaths of children across the world daily, the housing of refugee children in detention centres and the plight of indigenous children. Why is it we can gather signatures and be mobilised at railway stations to sign a petition to stop the inhumane treatment of animals but not for children? Our media remind us daily of the millions of children for whom life is risky, abusive and without a future unless we act.  We are not without knowledge. It was only a short time ago that our Prime Minister of the day and the Federal Parliament apologised for the treatment of children raised in institutions and to British child migrants, yet we continue to ignore the plight of many of our own children and those arriving on our shores seeking protection and hope. 

Baroness Susan Greenfield in her presentation at the World Forum spoke about the important matter of brain development and the role environmental stimulus plays in growing a child’s capacity to learn, to grow, to engage with others, and to create a future for themselves. She spoke about how brain tissue becomes a mind like ours by adapting to the environment: how to navigate, to survive and to make sense of our meaning. The more the brain is stimulated, the better for the child. Greenfield’s presentation challenged the WorldForum to consider how individuals and organisations could influence the environment in which children are reared and the importance of brain development in designing programs to address risk and to improve skills.  A capacity to learn is essential if a child is to grow. Investing in children in the early years is paramount and brings personal development and economic benefits to a country. Healthy, wise and educated children are an asset to any community and not a future liability and cost.

  

The United Nations estimates that by 2020, 50 million people will be on the move from the southern hemisphere to the northern, with Europe at the centre of the shift. The challenge posed here may be as great as the current financial challenges facing the global community. The challenge is how to facilitate the integration of   children, young people and families with different beliefs and experiences into new cultures and how to share theirs with the locals.  The role of social media and the ease of communications emerged in this context, with a range of concerns about how they may affect our ability to deal with culture and belief issues in a constructive way. In particular, some forms of technology pose problems as they affect sensory perceptions, empathy, relationships and our commitment to community.

We can begin to respond to the growing needs of the world’s children by taking seriously our own privilege here at home in Australia. This will involve asking ourselves serious questions about why we remain silent and not outraged at the treatment of children. Why we do not demand of our political, corporate, community and religious leaders greater commitment and action to address the growing disparity between children at home and abroad.  We can begin by listening to the experiences of children and involving them in the decisions that affect their lives. We can seek to share our journey with theirs and embrace their challenge as ours also. In this way we can demonstrate a willingness to help transform their lives and offer hope.

While there are individuals and organisations seriously concerned about these issues and doing their best to address them, without broader coalitions and support from all sectors of the community and governments outcomes will be limited. Other strategies to consider are:

·      The need to conduct impact statements on the likely effect of policies on children and families;

·      The development of early intervention programs focusing on the needs of disadvantaged and fragile children and families in the community;

·      Policy initiatives driven by research and data not by ideology or political whims;

·      Listening to the voices of children and their families.

The pursuit of this agenda is not someone else’s problem. It belongs to us all. The challenge is to gain courage to take risks and share with others the dreams and hopes we have for our own children and grandchildren with the children of the world. The task is great and requires urgent attention. Protecting and enriching the lives of children requires our immediate attention and is a first priority of a civilised community.

Ray Cleary

Trinity Theological School

Melbourne

31^th October 2011 

Climate Change A faith response

Recent debates in the Australian Parliament, in certain sections of the media and in wider public discourse, including comments by Church leaders, have sought to dismiss or seriously downplay changes in climate across the globe and the associated environmental impacts. What is Climate change? According to the Australian Academy of Science “Climate is a statistical description of weather conditions and their variations, including both average and extremes. Climate change is a change in the average pattern of weather over a long period of time. Greenhouse gases play an important role in determining climate and in causing climate change”.

  In Victoria a number of individuals and public commentators who would describe themselves as climate sceptics have argued that the recent rains prove   their point and that what we have been experiencing here in this state for the last 10 years shows that Australia’s weather follows a cyclical pattern and has to be viewed over a 100 year period.  These claims have been made despite the recent heavy rains and violent storms, which have caused havoc in Queensland and other parts of the country.

Implied in this dumbing down of the scientific data to mere emotional rhetoric is the demand to reject any so-called “Greenie agenda”. This approach reflects a chronic failure of our democratic and civil institutions to deal with issues of such magnitude as global climate change and is a worrying trend at this time. As many parts of the global community are grappling with issues of human survival in the face of floods and famines, moral debate and discourse of the highest order is a priority.  Scientific reports from many quarters indicate that a number of Australia’s near neighbours will be first to be severely affected, including the loss of whole islands.  This implies that Climate change is a significant justice issue if we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in building God’s kingdom.  Like wise the prophets Micah ‘s summons to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God is a challenge to take action on all that seeks to destroy and impair the creation. What is called for is strong leadership reflecting a long-term approach to the challenges and less self-interest and reliance on emotive language on the part of all of us, and in particular our elected leaders and corporate Australia. In his recent book entitled “Sideshow Dumbing down Democracy” former government Finance minister Lindsay Tanner writes about the “the relentless decline of political reporting and the role of the media” in dumbing down and trivialising critical social and economic  issues affecting the life of Australians and the broader global community. 

Free speech is an important element of a democratic society. It must, however, be associated with responsibility. Free speech is a privilege and if it is to be constructive on issues like global warming should be more than just an expression of an opinion.  Sceptics of climate change and those who deny any such activity dismiss the fact that 95% of reputable scientists agree that climate change is occurring and that human activity is a major contributor. The growth of the world’s population from 6.9.billion to 9 billion by the year 2050 will continue to impact on the earth’s atmosphere and capacity to absorb the chemicals and the gases produced by current technology unless there is a rethink of lifestyles and the rate at which we are currently using resources. Part of the answer may be new technologies to reduce pollution, but it also requires a change in expectations on the part of us all to reflect the present context. 

How we view the earth and its bounty in part determines how we see its durability and future. If we view the world as a playground to be enjoyed and as a reservoir of natural resources without limits, to be mined for our lifestyle and pleasure for the present, then our concern and care for and attention to dwindling supplies and environmental damage will be minimal. Mining executives, economists, populist politicians and business leaders who fall into this category will seek to convince us to hold similar views. Those who wonder at the beauty of streams, deserts, mountains, forests, the heavens and the rich resources of the earth, and see them as assets to be preserved, cared for, enjoyed and nurtured, not to be exploited for the present, will respond with greater appreciation of the need to take action urgently to address the looming crisis.

The debate on climate change needs to begin urgently with new expectations and the realisation that time may be short. Climate change is a spiritual issue, one which goes beyond the framework of economic development and political rhetoric. Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures remind us of the awesome nature of the created order and our responsibility to exercise care and attention to God’s bounty. Christians, however, cannot take the high moral ground on this matter. Our past behaviour and treatment of the earth has been less than perfect and our present response to the crisis less than compelling.  Even in the current climate the voice of the church in Australia is divided and often lacks substance. Those within the church who do speak clearly and with authority on the matter are often ignored or challenged as “greenies” or “tree-huggers”. Others seem to defend church doctrine while failing to listen to the voices of scientists and others with authority. A closer and more reflective reading of the book of Genesis suggests a different picture, which challenges much of traditional church teaching on the environment and population growth.  As Norma Wirzba writes in a recent edition of the Sojourners magazine:

It ought to astound us that scripture introduces the world to us not as a supermarket but as a garden.

In the same article she speaks about this garden as being “a garden of delight…to be tended and cared for”.

In reflecting on the challenges the human family faces in light of global warming and environmental degradation, people of faith need to rethink quickly and earnestly our response to the crisis. First and foremost, this requires a rethink of our views on population growth, including church teachings and attitudes towards procreation. Contraception and responsible parenthood should be part of this discussion. Secondly, our attitude to the acquisition of material goods, our use of the earth’s natural resources and our preparedness to pay additional tax to protect future generations should be part of the agenda. Unless we are proactive in each of these areas and a voice for the voiceless, we dishonour the creation and the Creator. Our approach should be to view the earth as a garden to be tended and nurtured for this and future generations. Our failure to speak out, to be an advocate for the poor and the disadvantaged, and to challenge rhetoric without substance diminishes us all and redemption for the creation remains fragile and at risk.

The next few years will be crucial and leadership from all quarters will need to disregard the rhetoric and listen to the voices of wise counsel and reason. People of faith should be in the forefront of the debates, well informed and active in addressing the challenges in their own lives. There is a role for every one. Coalitions of like-minded individuals and networks provide an opportunity for the wider community to set the debate agenda and to move from rhetoric to substance. The media, a valuable tool and resource in a democracy for the sharing of ideas and information, should encourage a variety of opinions and voices to be heard. Together the challenge before us can be addressed and the future for generations to come a reality.   

Canon Dr Ray Cleary

24^th April 2011

Sambell Lecturer in Pastoral and Public Theology

Sideshow, dumbing down democracy. Book review

The role and place of the media and their reporting of issues in the global, national and local interest in Australia has been questioned and challenged by many sectors of the community in recent times. This has been accompanied by wide spread criticism and in some quarters disillusionment with politicians of all persuasions as they opt for the quick media grab at the expense of detailed policy statements. Their approach has been interpreted as lacking integrity, long-term vision and soul. This has been not  only an Australian issue with similar concerns being expressed across many parts of the western world.

Lindsay Tanner in his book entitled, Sideshow dumbing down democracy, says in language and words what many have been thinking, if not always speaking aloud, about the dumbing down of public debate and discourse on social and economic issues affecting the nation and the world.  Whether it is climate change, asylum seekers, housing or Australia’s natural resources, the role of the media in political reporting has reached an all time low he claims, with debate trivialised and reframed as entertainment rather than seriously considered. In his book Tanner claims that the media is more interested in the sensational, the quick word and opinion rather than reporting fact and engaging in bi partisan dialogue and discussion. His book is part personal, reflective and challenging as he goes about systematically deconstructing the role of the media in contemporary society and the seduction and co-option of politicians in a dumbing down process. This he argues is a great danger to democracy and a just and compassionate society. He gives countless evidence to support his claims by referring to a variety of journalists and commentators from all sides of politics.

Lindsay Tanner, professional politician for 18 years, former union official and more recently till his retirement in 2010 Finance Minister in the Rudd government was considered a major thinker and strategist during his time in the Federal parliament.  . While his resignation coincided with the removal of Kevin Rudd by Julia Gillard he asserts this action was not in any way related to the change in Prime Minister. His decision to step down was for family reasons and as he points out began 12 months earlier and went under the radar of the media. He was regarded and still is across the political spectrum as a person of integrity, wisdom and substance.

His book exposes many of the shortcomings of all forms of today’s media, claiming that news is increasingly trivialized and translated into entertainment rather than providing accurate information. Further he claims many news items are distorted and often presented in away to suit the journalist’s story or the networks views on issues often colours the reporting and analysis of events. Today’s media requires colour, pictures, presentation, confrontation and division, or a crisis for it to be news worthy. He provides numerous case studies and examples to justify his position and does not spare all sides of politics as well as both public and private media in his discussion. As a result democracy is in a crisis and the “the serious craft of politics” is undermined, and “that politicians are engaged in legitimate democratic decision-making that is fundamental to the nations future is being bartered away”.

The media however is not all to blame and Tanner sights examples where politicians set up the media, co-operate with the media’s agenda, feed the media with stories that lack substance or simply repeat old news in new clothes. He even acknowledges his own participation in these charades passing as news. In support he refers to a variety of local and international research to justify his claims and calls for a radical over hall of how the media conducts itself and the behaviour of politicians in announcing and discussing issues. He challenges all who have the public interest at heart to reflect and change the current practices and to bring back integrity, truth and honesty to discussions on Australia’s future and the contribution the nation can make to the many crisis facing the world community.

 The book make a strong case for reform and is easy to read  and accessible to a wide cross section of readers and while his case in some places is over simplified the message remains strong.

Tanners call and hope is that all Australians will take heed and respond, to set aside sectional issues, to engage in serious debate and to have the interests of all Australian in mind when reporting in the media.

The book is a reminder as to how important critical and reflective thinking is in today’s multi faceted media and to not believe everything you read and hear from the media. How to recognise spin would be a first start. If you wish to begin the journey this book is well worth the buy.