As the Darfur crisis heightens, there needs to be more the average person can do. Fashion industry types have greater buying power so it’s up to those passionate about the issue to get their voices heard.
Over 400,000 people have died, and more than that number are displaced people living in cluttered refugee camps. Children are growing up in rat-infested slums with dirty water in a continent that among other things, is already over-run with AIDS. The presence of the UN is not respected in the area. The Darfur Peace Agreement was signed in 2006, having little affect on the whole outcome.
In 2007 Designers for Darfur staged a fashion event collaborating with New York Fashion Week to raise money and awareness for the cause. Australia launched its Art exhibit featuring Sudanese artists. The “Forgotten People” project showcased artwork/installations to remember the people of Darfur. Currently it is only in Melbourne and I wish to extend it to Sydney. What is being done now? I mean, apart from cutting the number of African refugee entrances into Australia, which hopefully changed under the new Labor Government.
You can help too. Ask your local council to create an interactive Public Education Campaign, created to offer information, education and awareness to the public through various practical activities and informative handouts. Do you own an Art Gallery? Raise awareness through the Arts. Everyone desires something. Those suffering in Darfur desire freedom from their oppression, just as an Australian teenager desires a successful career.
Darfur Australia Network are currently running a campaign called Dream for Darfur, which correlates with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China is a major player in the Darfur crisis. China is currently supporting Sudan financially with a history that, like so many wars, stems from Oil. Fashion producers can alter China’s economic performance by boycotting use of their clothing sweatshops. It’s almost a case of karma, where each person’s actions has an equal and opposite reaction. Force China to stop their investments, in turn forcing the Sudanese Government to stop the genocide. Steven Spielberg has already resigned as Artistic Director for the 2008 Olympics.
Sydney fashion and art gurus can do something about it. Now is the time, as focus shifts towards China for the 2008 Olympics.
Check out
http://www.darfuraustralia.org/
Over 400,000 people have died, and more than that number are displaced people living in cluttered refugee camps. Children are growing up in rat-infested slums with dirty water in a continent that among other things, is already over-run with AIDS. The presence of the UN is not respected in the area. The Darfur Peace Agreement was signed in 2006, having little affect on the whole outcome.
In 2007 Designers for Darfur staged a fashion event collaborating with New York Fashion Week to raise money and awareness for the cause. Australia launched its Art exhibit featuring Sudanese artists. The “Forgotten People” project showcased artwork/installations to remember the people of Darfur. Currently it is only in Melbourne and I wish to extend it to Sydney. What is being done now? I mean, apart from cutting the number of African refugee entrances into Australia, which hopefully changed under the new Labor Government.
You can help too. Ask your local council to create an interactive Public Education Campaign, created to offer information, education and awareness to the public through various practical activities and informative handouts. Do you own an Art Gallery? Raise awareness through the Arts. Everyone desires something. Those suffering in Darfur desire freedom from their oppression, just as an Australian teenager desires a successful career.
Darfur Australia Network are currently running a campaign called Dream for Darfur, which correlates with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China is a major player in the Darfur crisis. China is currently supporting Sudan financially with a history that, like so many wars, stems from Oil. Fashion producers can alter China’s economic performance by boycotting use of their clothing sweatshops. It’s almost a case of karma, where each person’s actions has an equal and opposite reaction. Force China to stop their investments, in turn forcing the Sudanese Government to stop the genocide. Steven Spielberg has already resigned as Artistic Director for the 2008 Olympics.
Sydney fashion and art gurus can do something about it. Now is the time, as focus shifts towards China for the 2008 Olympics.
Check out
http://www.darfuraustralia.org/
Image: Courtesy of Darfur Australia Network 08
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