Charities & Going Green

Giving back: Supporting our wider community

The tectonic shifts that we experienced during the COVID years clarified that a strong foundation and anchor in community was essential to navigate the ongoing tumult. VATE is an important place of connection.

To reflect our commitment to sustainability and social solidarity, VATE will no longer be purchasing delegate and presenter gifts for the State Conference and instead will be donating these funds to charities. We see this as an important move to supporting our wider community and reflects our move to ‘going green’ and our core values of equity, inclusion, and social engagement. We look forward to you joining us on this journey of connecting to community.

In 2023 VATE will be donating funds from the State Conference registration fee to the following three charities: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Odonata Foundation.

 

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Founded in 2001, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is Australia’s largest human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. We are an independent not-for-profit organisation whose programs support and empower people seeking asylum to maximise their own physical, mental and social wellbeing. We champion the rights of people seeking asylum and mobilise a community of compassion to create lasting social and policy change. We deliver more services on the ground than any other independent asylum seeker organisation in the country. Our work on the frontline with people seeking asylum informs our practice and enables us to effectively advocate for, and alongside people with lived experience. We offer more than 40 holistic programs that protect people seeking asylum from persecution and destitution, support well-being and dignity, and empower people to advance their own future. To stay independent, we don’t accept funding from the Federal Government.

To support our work, please visit donate.asrc.org.au/donate

 

Indigenous Literacy Foundation: Reading opens doors to future opportunities and choices

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote Communities across Australia. We are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice. Find out more and support our work indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au

 

Odonata Foundation

Odonata Foundation is an environmental not-for-profit that develops innovative ways for businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs to get involved in taking action for nature. To address our wildlife's multifaceted challenges, Odonata Foundation develops solutions and collaborations for biodiversity resilience and ecosystem enhancement, focusing on sanctuary establishment and threatened species recovery. Learn more and get involved here: odonata.org.au

 

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Indigenous Literacy Foundation Odonata Foundation

 

Going Green: The greening of VATE events

Climate change is real.[1]  To respond to the challenges of climate change, we need to address our individual, collective and systemic responsibilities. At VATE we are committed to developing environmentally sustainable practices in order to minimise our carbon footprint at all VATE events. The key actions being undertaken are:

Minimising waste
This will be done through the reduction of waste such as no single serving containers and recycling (where possible) at each event. We will also be encouraging participants to BYO water bottles and reusable coffee/tea cups.

Distribution of event material
We are committed to using paperless technology as much as it is possible and this will include the distribution of speakers’ presentations and event information. We encourage our exhibitors and sponsors to distribute their promotional material in a paperless manner and/or on recycled paper where possible. VATE will not be distributing any paper flyers at the any event including the State Conference.

Conference satchels and inserts
Conference satchels with promotional flyers will no longer be supplied to delegates. Delegates are encouraged to bring their own bag.In lieu of delegate and presenter gifts, VATE will be donating these three charities:
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Odonata Foundation

Transport to the venue
To reduce carbon emissions, we encourage all the participants to find the most environmentally friendly way to come to the venue. This may include taking public transportation, sharing car, riding a bike, or walking.

We look forward to you joining us on this journey.