ARRCC has a unique role in Australia in bringing together diverse people of faith as witnesses to both our common humanity and respect for the earth. In the past two years, our capacity has grown and our voice has strengthened in the public debate. Local faith groups in many different parts of the country have supported the School Strikers for Climate, held Carols Against Coal, Funerals for Coal, put up “No New Coal” signs outside of places of worship and held workshops on climate-friendly lifestyles.

Come along and meet other people of faith who have been taking action on the climate crisis. The Conference will be an opportunity to hone our skills and capacity to do this more effectively. It will serve to:

1. Build knowledge, skills and confidence to organise at a local level, especially politically (nonpartisan)
2. Inspire people to act on the climate emergency
3. Empower people of diverse faiths to take ARRCC-inspired action together
4. Help form and strengthen active local groups

We will share and learn with the help of inspirational campaigners, skilled community organisers, Aboriginal activists, faith leaders and experts in their fields.

Time and place

Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, 15 Blackall St, Barton. 2600.

Program starts 6.30 pm Friday, November 8^th - participants may arrive after 4 pm, and dinner will be served before the conference formally begins. It finishes 3.30 pm Sunday, November 10^th

Prayer and Meditation Room

A Prayer and Meditation Room will be available on site. Conference participants are very welcome to take time out for prayer or meditation at any time, in accordance with their religious observances.

Conference participants are encouraged to take low-carbon options in travelling to the conference or offset their emissions from travel with Greenfleet.

Please help spread the word

You can download the poster for faith community noticeboards here.

The Facebook event is here.

Can you help cover costs for others?

If you can help cover the registration for someone who can't afford the fee, please make a donation here. Please let us know the donation is for this purpose by e-mailing [email protected]

All meals and morning and afternoon teas will be provided, except breakfasts. Food will be vegetarian or vegan (to simplify matters). Strictly kosher or halal food can be arranged if requested. Participants are advised that no alcohol will be served at the Conference venue.

If you have further dietary requirements for either medical or religious reasons, please let us know via [email protected] when you register, or by October 25th.

The conference does not have any hotel accommodation deal, so please arrange your own accommodation. If cost is a consideration, we recommend that you explore Airbnb or Stayz as options.

We are arranging stays in local people’s homes, but cannot guarantee availability. Please let us know when you register, if you’d either like a bed or can offer one.

There are a few ways to register. If you prefer not to register online, you could use the registration form on this brochure. Print it off, complete it, and post it with a cheque to: ARRCC, c/o Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000.

Alternatively, you could send the completed form and arrange a direct bank transfer. As “Description” please put your surname and “conference”. Our account details are:

Account name: ARRCC, Incorporated
BSB: 313 140
Account number: 12038597

Closing date for registrations is 25 October 2019. Contact [email protected] if you want to register after this date.

Can you help cover costs for others?

If you can help cover the registration for someone who can't afford the fee, please make a donation here. Please let us know the donation is for this purpose by e-mailing [email protected]

Transport

Conference attendees are encouraged to use low-carbon transport options to get to Canberra. Authentic offsets for travel can be purchased via https://www.greenfleet.com.au/. With the help of local volunteers, we’ll do our best to ensure that you can be assisted in getting around Canberra once you get there.

Public transport information

Several bus routes pass within easy walk of the centre – even at 9.30-10 pm on Saturday night it is possible to catch buses to Civic and to Kingston.  Similarly, there are buses on Saturday and Sunday morning. Key buses include the R2, R5 and R6.

Trip planners include https://www.transport.act.gov.au/getting-around/journey-planner  and Google Maps.

For those travelling by car

There is a large overflow car park on the grounds of the ACC&C. The car park is accessed by a boom gate which is open at the weekend. Volunteers will be directing drivers to the most efficient use of the overflow parking space as it is easy to block access to others inadvertently.

Robert Dawlings is arranging assistance with transport to Canberra. During the Conference, please let your needs for a lift be known at the registration table.

Notice of traffic disruption on Sunday, 10 November

There will be the Canberra Times Fun Run on Sunday morning, 10 November Runners go across Kings Avenue Bridge. 

https://events.solemotive.com/canberra-times-fun-run/road-closures/  

On Sunday morning there will be road closures near the ACC&C from 6 am to 11 am. All of the northbound lanes for Kings Avenue will be blocked.  All of the Parliamentary Triangle will be closed.   

Limited impact on those travelling from the north

People travelling form the northside SHOULD be able to get to the ACC&C without trouble by crossing Kings Avenue Bridge, but need to be warned there will be police and the traffic will be slowed.

Choose an alternate route if travelling from the south

All of the northbound lanes of Kings Avenue will be blocked. You will not be able to cut across the Parliamentary Triangle. You can approach the ACC&C  by turning off State Circle at Brisbane Avenue, turning left into Macquarie Street and then right down Allardyce or Broughton Streets to get you to Blackall Street (turn left into Blackall Street). You can reach the ACC&C from Adelaide Avenue IF you turn right onto State Circle, and then exit at Brisbane Avenue.

You cannot drive to the ACC&C from Bowen Drive after the Brisbane Avenue turnoff.

See here for information about workshop presenters and the musicians who will be performing on Saturday evening.

One change to the workshop presenters:

Josh Creaser sends his apologies for the workshop, "Making the most of one-on-one conversations". Instead, James Atkinson and Vanessa Sporne from Community Shapers have kindly stepped in.

James Atkinson is an experienced facilitator and communicator. He currently works as a manager and facilitator at Community Shapers, where he trains and supports staff to have persuasive conversations with members of the public about climate change - working with some of Australia’s leading environment and climate justice organisations.

Vanessa Sporne has been studying Law and Environment at the Australian National University for four years, with a special focus on climate change science and policy. Alongside her studies she has works as a Facilitator at Community Shapers where she trains groups and individuals on how to communicate with others about environmental and political issues. She has plenty of experience in the climate activism space having worked for groups like Environmental Justice Australia and Green Law.