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Mercy School Setting for Launch of Slavery-free Resource
Editor: Academy of Mary Immaculate Fitzroy was the setting chosen for the launch last Thursday, 13 February, of the ‘Make your school slavery-free’ resource. Academy is committed to using fair trade products and teaching about modern slavery forms part of the school curriculum. A number of Sisters of Mercy across Australia are involved in addressing the issue of modern slavery through membership of ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans).
Launched by Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli and Louise Cleary csb, co-founder of ACRATH, this resource is designed to help all schools begin the transition to a slavery-free environment by creating a slavery-free staffroom.
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Archbishop Comensoli addressing the gathering during the liturgy in the Academy chapel
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The Academy library, setting for the launch
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Louise Cleary csb
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Sr Louise addresing the gathering in the library
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Slavery-free tea, coffee and chocolate
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Academy students with Archbishop Comensoli and Mary Moloney rsm, Principal
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Academy students with slavery-free products
Archbishop Comensoli urged teachers and students in the Melbourne Archdiocese’s 333 schools to make their school staffrooms slavery-free by using only slavery-free certified coffee, tea and chocolate.
Sr Louise said: “By starting with tangible products like tea, coffee and chocolate we will become aware of how to address slavery and exploitation in other areas like school uniforms, sports equipment and computer manufacturing, and how to advocate for a living wage for those whom we still need to produce these goods".
While developed to introduce fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate into schools, workplaces, parishes and homes can all use these resources to help them make the transition to a slavery-free environment.
The resource can be accessed here.
ACRATH has also developed a teaching resource on the topic of modern slavery. It can be downloaded here
'Every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral and not simply an economic act.' Pope Francis, 1 January 2015
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In two months time we will celebrate Easter.
To ensure you buy slavery-free Easter chocolate, look for any of these three certification symbols (right) on the wrappers: UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade.
Messages to:
Mary Moloney rsm - Principal
Louise Cleary csb - ACRATH
Photo credits: Photo (4) Mark Dadswell. Remaing photos: Casamento Photography