By Sean Malloy
A project designed to raise funds for, and awareness of, world refugees has been organised by Austcare and radio station JJJ for September 18 to 27.
Titled "Australian music caring for refugees", the project includes around 130 gigs nationally and involves artists such as Yothu Yindi, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Vince Jones, the Falling Joys, Club Hoy and the Gadflys, to name a few.
"This is the second year that we've had the venture and the second year that Austcare has worked with JJJ", said Bobbie Dart from Austcare.
Dart said that Austcare is supported by the public but doesn't always reach broader layers of people.
"The idea was first conceived a couple of years ago, and we thought it would be a very good way not only to raise funds but to broaden the awareness within the community, particularly among younger people, of the problems, causes and possible solutions of the refugee problem."
Hearing bands may not be the best vehicle for educating people about the problems of refugees, but "the initial awareness that there are 18 million refugees in the world is probably the first thing we want to get across", Dart noted.
Each venue raises the entry fee by one dollar, and those funds are then used by Austcare for supporting refugee projects internationally.
Dart pointed out that one dollar was enough to keep a person in Somalia alive for a week.
She explained that while immediate needs of refugees have to be addressed, long-term solutions lie in resolving economic and political problems that force people to become refugees in the first place.
She emphasised that the world will have to deal with the problem of refugees "until Third World countries are developed to where they can support themselves, instead of being pillaged and raped by other countries of the world".
Refugees who are able to settle in other countries often face new difficulties and traumas, explained Dart. Simple tasks such as buying milk or dealing with authorities can be extremely difficult.
"The intake of refugees into Australia is a maximum 12,000, which isn't huge", she said, adding that the intake is extremely selective.
Venues supporting the project will feature the "Australian music caring for refugees" logo.