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DR ANNE PEDERSEN AND SUE HOFFMAN, PhD STUDENT, CONTRIBUTES TO BOOK SPOTLIGHTING ASYLUM SEEKER HELPERS.

Dr Anne Pedersen and Sue Hoffman, a PhD student with the School of Psychology supervised by Dr Pedersen, have contributed to a book outlining the the experiences of asylum seeker advocates and their relationships with refugees. The book was launched in Northbridge to coincide with World Refguee Week (June 17-23).

The book is titled Acting from the Heart and details the experiences, friendships and hardships encountered by the advocates and refugees confined in detention centres around Australia.

Some reviews of the book:
An illuminating and at times harrowing reflection on the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia, Acting From The Heart is a reminder to each of us that individual action does make a difference. The inspirational stories give voice to those who have suffered under and those who have fought against, unfair and indiscriminate government policy. Compelling reading for all Australians as a reminder of a continuing injustice that demands attention - Rev Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision

The heart breaks in silence to read these stories of courage and endurance in a struggle against cruelty and indifference. These are true stories; stories which capture a shameful period in Australia's history; stories which record the efforts of ordinary Australians to resist the callous policies of a heartless government. I knew many of these stories already before I read the book, but I was moved to tears of anger and shame reading them, remembering them. The authors of these essays exemplify the very best of Australian values: the government policies that made their efforts necessary exemplify the very worst. We will be remembered for this - Julian Burnside QC

These accounts open a bleak window on mandatory detention and show how ordinary Australians can make extraordinary inroads into a callous and seemingly impregnable Government policy - Chris Rau, journalist and sister of Cornelia Rau

For more information and to order: http://www.safecom.org.au/acting-heart.htm or call Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees on 9227 7322

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