Guest Speaker Vacy Vlazna

Local author, activist and ASGMWP member, Vacy Vlazna who will share with us her recently published book,

East Timor Reveille for Courage; reflections of an Australian Human Rights Activist 1998-2001.

The betrayal of the people of East Timor by ‘our’ governments shaped a collective conscience and political will across the world unprecedented in my lifetime. Mark this when others say: “What can be done?” Vacy Vlazna knew what had to be done and this outstanding book is her extended postcard from the communities whose freedom and resistance she championed. John Pilger.

Vacy will share her Timor experiences and discuss why our neighbour East Timor, now Timor-Leste continues to be morally and politically important to Australians because the injustices Timor and Australian First Nations suffer have the same source- colonial racism.

Vacy has been Coordinator of Justice for Palestine Matters since 2009. She is the editor of a volume of Palestinian poetry, I remember my name and writes political commentary for a number of independent online magazines. She was Human Rights Advisor to the GAM team in the second round of the Acheh peace talks, Helsinki, February 2005 then withdrew on principle. Vacy was convenor of Australia East Timor Association and coordinator of the East Timor Justice Lobby as well as serving in East Timor with UNAMET and UNTAET from 1999-2001.

Vacy will have just come back from her Mungo trip and she will share experience with us.

This is free evening with light supper, all welcome.