MAPW Victorian Branch: bimonthly briefing

The arms fair planned for Adelaide in November (cancelled following a public outcry) highlighted issues including Australia’s expanding weapons export industry, and the proliferation of arms in our region. Our guests will address the effects of this spread of arms: both the big picture, and in a nearby country.

Speakers:

Dr Mark Zirnsak, Director of the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania, will speak on human rights impacts of the global arms trade. Mark coordinates the Australian Network to Ban Landmines. and has been active in the recent campaign for a treaty to ban cluster bombs. His PhD is in chemical engineering.

Dr Melanie Archer is a forensic entomologist who worked as an autopsy assistant in the Solomon Islands during the recent conflict. In helping forensic pathologist Dr Malcolm Dodd to conduct autopsies, she saw at first hand the lethal results of political violence. Dr Archer is now studying for an MBBS.

Dr Archer will speak about her work in the Solomon Islands, and how forensic medicine can help us understand the health consequences of conflict.

• Date and time: 7.00pm – 8.15pm Tuesday 14 October. Light refreshments from 6.30pm.
• Venue: Level 2 meeting room, Alan Gilbert Building, corner of Grattan and Barry Streets, Carlton. Take lift to Level 2.
• RSVPs: A big help if you can, to 8344 1637, or mapw [at] mapw [dot] org [dot] au  
• Flyer: Download and invite your friends and colleagues

The following meeting will be Tuesday 9 December - our end-of year dinner with speaker.