Our Pacific Calling Partnership team is back from Saibai and Boigu islands in the Torres Strait and we wanted you to know about the important Statement of Solidarity signed between Pacific Elders and Saibai and Boigu leaders during our visit.

On 13 April 2023 we commenced the first session of our Legal Empowerment Course. In this session we discussed the Australian Legal System and the Three Branches of Power (Legislative, Judicial and Executive).

Sixteen newly arrived humanitarian entrants from Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh benefited from the session. The topic was presented by two legal experts from DLA Piper.

The Edmund Rice Centre applauds the joint signing of a Statement of Solidarity by Pacific Elders' Voice Chair and former President of Kiribati His Excellency Anote Tong together with Saibai Boigu Elders and community leaders for the Torres Strait. 

The Pacific Elders' Voice is a group of former Presidents, Prime Ministers and high-level officials from across the Pacific.

The Statement of Solidarity is the result of a week-long visit by His Excellency Anote Tong to Saibai and Boigu islands in the Torres Strait, which occurred following an invitation extended to the Pacific Elders' Voice by Saibai and Boigu Traditional Owners.