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act for peace is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia

Sixty years ago, the Reverend Frank Byatt of Victoria had a simple vision. On Christmas day 1949, he placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked all present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal.

Frank urged his guests to reflect on their good fortunes and encouraged them to do something selfless for the people around the world who are victims of disease, poverty and violence. This small but significant gesture of charity has resonated deeply with thousands of Australians and has shown that we all have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the gift. The very first Christmas Bowl only raised ₤1,808, but has now reached over $2 million each year.

Click here for more information or to download the 2008 Christmas Bowl resources >>

To GIVE to the Christmas bowl, please click here>>

What We Do

act for peace works in conflict-affected regions to achieve the four key foundations for real and lasting peace. There are 300 million people worldwide living on less than $1 a day in conflict-affected regions. act for peace works in these areas to break the cycle of extreme poverty and conflict.

Living on less that $1 a day is the United Nations' definition of extreme poverty. By giving from as little as $1 a day ($30 a month), you can act for peace and help to:

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Partners4Peace Indochina Study Tour: There are limited places Remaining!!! Click the image below to find out more about this exclusive opportunity.

Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2008: Iraq

Refugee and Migrant Sunday is an ecumenical program designed to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and displaced peoples. It is held every year in hundreds of churches around Australia to raise awareness and support for refugees.

This year’s kit looks at the ongoing conflict in Iraq and assesses the impact five years after the US-led invasion on 19 March 2003. It describes the violent civil war sparked by the invasion and the grim future facing Iraq’s civilians and refugees. Click here to access this years Resources

act for peace (formerly known as Christian World Service)

act for peace works with partners to achieve real and lasting peace. For example, our partners in Sudan, are currently:

• reducing poverty by running health clinics, schools, water and micro-credit schemes

• protecting 250,000 refugees in Darfur camps

• preventing conflicts through disarmament and peace initiatives (such as the Wunlit Peace Agreement)

• empowering communities through training and education projects

Living on less than $1 a day is the United Nations’ definition of extreme poverty. There are 300 million people worldwide living under these conditions in conflict-affected regions. act for peace works in these regions to break the cycles of extreme poverty and conflict.

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Burma (Myanmar) Cyclone Appeal

Thanks to our generous supporters, act for peace has been able to commit over $300,000 to our local partners in Burma. With local communities we are helping provide emergency drinking water, water purification tablets, temporary shelter, waterproof sheets, clothing, medicines, mosquito nets and food supplies. As act for peace works through our local partner networks in Burma, we have been able to deliver effective aid to the most affected areas.

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China Earthquake Appeal

It is now over 100 days since the worst earthquake in a century devastated parts of Sichuan on May 12, 2008. For quake survivors, it is only the beginning of a painfully long journey of healing and recovery for which they will need our continuing empathy and support.

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Zimbabwe Situation Update

On July 4, US$1 dollar was worth Z$35 billion. Official estimates of Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate as of February 2008 were a staggering 165,000 %. Estimates by independent economists now range anywhere between one million and 10 million percent.

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