A monument to commemorate the sacrifices of Australia’s international humanitarian workers was unveiled in Canberra on Wednesday.
The monument is dedicated in honour and memory of all deceased Australians and members of Australian aid organisations who have served in international aid work.
At the opening, ACFID President Dr Meredith Burgmann said that the new monument acknowledged the thousands of Australians working in international aid.
“People working in the humanitarian space have a strong sense of service, but unfortunately this service is not without risks,” Dr Burgmann said.
“Attacks against aid workers have been rising… and aid workers are also in environments where they may be far away from medical care and at risk of illness, or where road traffic accidents can have tragic consequences.”
The monument is located in the Bible Garden at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACCC) in Barton, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin.
Archbishop Francis Carroll from the Catholic Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn said that it was an honour to be associated with the monument.
“The Australian humanitarians who respond to these crises are expressing one of the finest instincts and noblest aspirations of humanity,” he said.
Mosaic artist Andrew Morrissey designed the monument, which features reliefs of clasped and raised hands, representing the partnership and bond between humanitarian aid workers and beneficiaries.
More information is available on the ACFID website or in Marc Purcell’s piece for the Canberra Times.
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