Go fly a kite this weekend for a good cause

First published 5 October 2012

Kites of all shapes, colours and types will be flying high over The Strand this weekend, in an event organised to help raise awareness of human rights.

A group of second-year James Cook University medical students have coordinated a Kites for Rights display on Saturday (October 6).

Kites for Rights is an annual event held across the world to celebrate the pursuit of human rights, and the local students will be running the Townsville branch activity.

Student organiser Charlotte Durand said the event was organised by a group of six students, including Annabelle Chalk, Ella Tracey, Jackie Hara-Crockford, Megan Weller, Rebecca Tuma and herself.

Ms Durand said the group was passionate about raising awareness of human rights inequalities throughout the world and in Australia.

“Every child born into our world deserves the opportunity to share in the vast richness it has to offer; it is the right of all people, purely by virtue of their humanity,” she said.

“Yet too often throughout the world, human rights are ignored, robbing billions of people of the opportunities they have ample claim to.

“This repeatedly leads to progressive disempowerment and even to death. We have the chance to stop this. We believe it is time to seize it.”

Ms Durand said the event aimed to advocate for human rights in general, as well as each year addressing a particular violation of human rights.

“This year, the theme covers key issues in women's health around the world. We need your help to generate action towards improving what is currently a very poor situation.

“We believe that everyone deserves to have their rights honoured, no matter who they are, where they live or what gender they are.”

Ms Durand said there would be a number of stalls at the event with fun, interactive games, and information and advice on how to get involved in bringing about change.

“We will be flying kites in order to show our support for the people working towards improvement and empowerment, and to symbolise the invisible strength of determination for change.”

Representatives from a number of international and local organisations would be present all afternoon, she said.

“They will be happy to share information with anyone interested in some of the big issues affecting people around the globe today.”

There will also be food, drinks and frosty whip ice-cream available to purchase, as well as plenty of kites to fly in order to show support.

“We are not collecting money or any donations on the day, but are hoping to share what we know and have learnt about these issues.

“We wish to encourage people to do whatever they can to carry our message of hope with them, and to offer this opportunity to meet with people who also share our passion in helping others and creating change.”

For more information on the Townsville event, or for details about Kites for Rights in general, visit http://www.kites4rights.org/ email: info@kites4rights.org, or visit www.facebook.com/kites4rights2012

Details:

KITES 4 RIGHTS 2012

Date: Saturday October 6, 2012

Time: 2-5pm

Location: Strand Park, North Ward, Townsville

For interviews or photos, contact the organisers via Ms Durand on 0409 061 605.

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175