Dr Susan Carland announced as ASRC Ambassador

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) today announced the appointment of author, academic and media identity Dr Susan Carland as their newest Ambassador.

Dr Carland is a renowned feminist and advocate for Muslim women and gender equality, who has also been a dedicated supporter of the ASRC, including its telethons.

Dr Carland is honoured to support the great work of the ASRC who are committed to achieving a more humane approach to the treatment of people seeking asylum.

“It is an honour for me to have the opportunity to serve the ASRC and the people with whom they work. I am so excited to champion this cause,” Dr Carland said.

“When we hear heartbreaking stories about the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, people can so often feel hopeless and not know how they can help. I hope I am able to point people in the direction of the ASRC and channel their passion into change.”

Dr Carland said she felt deeply troubled by offshore detention and at the treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum who arrive in Australia by boat.

“The inhumane treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum who arrive by boat baffles and distresses me, and the way they are often spoken about in our political discourse infuriates me,” Dr Carland said. “Ensuring refugees and asylum seekers get adequate support to not just survive but thrive once they’re in Australia is also very important to me.”

In her role as Ambassador, Dr Carland will partner with the ASRC to raise awareness, funds and inspire support for their work. Dr Carland joins a list of esteemed Australians who give generously of their time to support refugees through their roles as ASRC Ambassadors, including Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Wally de Backer (Goyte), Corinne Grant and Tamie Fraser (wife of late former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser).

ASRC Founder and CEO, Kon Karapanagiotidis said he was proud to have Dr Carland on board. “We are so honoured to have Dr Carland join us as our newest ASRC Ambassador. She demonstrates so much compassion and does not shy away from standing up for what she strongly believes in. Dr Carland is deeply passionate about human rights, including the plight facing refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. We are so grateful for all her support over the years and it’s wonderful to now welcome her into our family as one of our Ambassadors.”

Dr Carland is a lecturer and researcher at Monash University’s National Centre for Australian Studies. She completed her PhD in 2015 and the thesis later became a book published by Melbourne University Press, Fighting Hislam, which tackles the subject of Muslim women and gender equality.
She has been listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World, and as a ‘Muslim Leader of Tomorrow’ by the UN Alliance of Civilizations. She was a co-creator and presenter of the ground-breaking television show, Salam Cafe and has appeared on ABC TV’s News Breakfast, Q&A, Studio Ten, The Circle, Sunrise, The Einstein Factor, and Compass, as well as on numerous occasions on commercial and public radio. Her writing has appeared in local and international newspapers, academic journals, websites and anthologies.

Dr Carland is encouraging the community to get behind the ASRC and donate in the upcoming Telethon on June 20, 2018. She took part in the 2017 Telethon and describes it as an uplifting experience.

“When the situation can so often feel hopeless, this – donating via the Telethon – is a concrete way to make a meaningful difference,” Dr Carland said.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is holding a Telethon on World Refugee Day, June 20, to raise awareness and much needed funds to support and empower refugees and people seeking asylum.

Now in its third year, the ASRC wants to raise more than $600,000 to ensure families have access to essential food and groceries for a year. The Telethon is supported by local and national Australian public figures including Ambassadors Leila Gurruwiwi (Marngrook Footy Show), Mark Seymour, Corinne Grant, Tamie Fraser (wife of the late former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser), along with Father Bob Maguire, Brian Nankervis, and Marieke Hardy who will be taking the public’s donations from 6am to 10pm. The Australian public is encouraged to donate on or before the day. For more information visit asrc.org.au/telethon

How to donate:

• Call 1300 692 772 (1300 MYASRC)
• Online at asrc.org.au/telethon
• SMS HOPE to 0437 371 371 to pledge a $20 donation