Australia’s statement to the OSCE Ministerial Council
On 5 December, Ambassador David Stuart delivered Australia's statement to the 21st Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Basel, Switzerland. Ambassador Stuart underlined Australia’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and thanked the OSCE for its efforts in facilitating access to the MH17 crash site. Ambassador Stuart encouraged the OSCE and its participating States to continue to give priority to improving gender equality and security of women and girls, and welcomed ongoing cooperation on addressing the threat of foreign terrorist fighters. Read the full statement here.
Alumni network gathering in Bratislava – 4 December 2014
Ms Gaia Puleston, First Secretary, hosted the very first Alumni networking event in Slovakia on 4 December 2014. The event provided an opportunity to meet and chat in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to sharing many fond memories of Australia, the event also generated interesting initiatives for future events involving alumni.
Image above (l-r): Mr Petr Vodvarka, Austrade; Ms Gaia Puleston, Australian Embassy; and Mrs Anna Turenicova, Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Copyright: Australian Embassy.
Image above (l-r): Australian alumni: Ms Lucia Ziskova; Ms Silvia Panakova, Zuzana Polackova and Marcela Prihelova. Copyright: Australian Embassy.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – 25 November 2014
25 November marks the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day. Australia’s Prime Minister is leading by example as a White Ribbon Ambassador. At the highest level of the Australian Government, Prime Minister Abbott has made clear that Australia has zero tolerance for violence against women. Australia recently introduced the second phase of the Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, which unites the Australian community to make a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children and to drive nation-wide change in the culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin and create violence against women and children.
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day, hear from Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, about what Australia is doing to end violence against women around the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoxfFx_08A8&list=PL10121AA