UN International Peace Day Celebrations – 20th September 2016 – Presented by Youth for Human Rights
Host: Church of Scientology, Melbourne.
Supported by COMMON (Centre of Melbourne Multifaith & Others Network) and
WIN (Women’s Interfaith Network) Foundation
COMMON (Centre of Melbourne Multifaith & Others Network) and WIN (Women’s Interfaith Network) Foundation partnered with Youth for Human Rights and the Church of Scientology to stage a very successful Peace Day event.
200 attendees from various religious, faiths and human rights groups attended the event.
A vegetarian Dinner was served at 6.pm. Guests were able to meet like-minded people who shared common understandings of peace in the world.
After dinner the guests were seated in the hall.
Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ian Hunter acknowledged the original inhabitants of the land, his people, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.
Master of Ceremonies Preeti Daga, Executive, South Asia Community Link Group spoke about peace.
Preeti introduced a feature performance by Australian superstar Kate Ceberano – who sang three songs to celebrate this important United Nations Day.
A special Peace Day activity was held for the children.
Many Australians from diverse backgrounds, cultures and religions enjoyed the event.
Jessica Fairlie, Youth for Human Rights International, Victoria Chapter Coordinator, addressed the audience speaking of the Human Rights challenges faced today. She also said, “Thanks to a groundswell of advocacy that picture is changing.”
She told of the Youth for Human Rights materials, the thousands of teachers using these materials in Australian schools and how she and her group, with the support of the Church of Scientology, are working to grow these numbers with every child, in every school being educated on the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
2016 Power of Peace Awards: Ms Fairlie presented 25 awards to leaders of interfaith, religious, cultural and community groups – like-minded people who represent diverse sections of the community, people who volunteer their time to create positive social change.
POWER OF PEACE AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Preeti Daga – South Asia Community Link Group
Satinder Kaur – Landmark Community Sports Club
Pam Mamouney – Casey Interfaith Network
David Cowen – Melton Interfaith Network
Essan Dileri – Melton City Council
Jama Farah – Ethiopian Community
Yasseen Musa – African Australian Multicultural Youth Services
Frank De Blasi – Moonee Valley Interfaith Network
BomYonzon – Nepalese Association of Vic.
Priya Bedi – United Voice of Australia
Rakesh Raizada – Ramon Helps Inc
Gurmeet Sran – Redhill Production
Monica Raizada – Women of Wyndham
Manpreet Brar – Gulzar Production
Aqeel Shah – Pakistan Youth Association Inc
Jessiee Singh – WIN (Women’s Interfaith Network) Foundation and COMMON (Centre of Melbourne Multifaith and Others Network)
Deacon Biruk – Saint Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Mmaskepe Sejoe – Applied Human Rights Services
Narinder Kumar Garg – Gurukul
Kareem Nowan – Helping Hands Foundation
Avaraham Schwartz –Abe’s Tikun Olam Hour, J-Air Radio
Yadata Saba – Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria Inc
Ranjodh Singh – Radio Haanji
Honoring and Awarding Uncle Boydie Turner, oldest surviving member of the Yorta, Yorta and grandson of famous Aboriginal Human Rights activist William Cooper
Uncle Boydie had travelled almost three hours by train to participate in the Peace Day celebration as the guest of honor. It was such an honor to award him with a Power of Peace Award – honoring the work of his grandfather in the past and the current work of Uncle Boydie himself for his work as an indigenous rights campaigner.
The entertainment continued:
Keynote Speaker, Abdi Aden – who as a young boy of 12 years was forced to leave war torn Somalia. He lost his mother and sister and eventually after years of struggle and loss he made it to the Australian shores. He spoke no English and had very little to call his own. He was eventually reunited with his mother and sister after ten years. Now he is a university graduate who speaks to thousands of children about how anything is possible – which he has proven. He recently released his first book ‘Shining’. He presented a copy to singer Kate Ceberano.
Mr. Aden’s presentation was followed by an amazing rendition of a Multifaith chant – various chants from various faith groups led by Dya Singh and joined by his daughter Jamel.
The final three songs were performed by Andrew Williams singing of happiness and being all ‘one people’.
Report by, Jessica Fairlie, Youth for Human Rights Coordinator,
Youth for Human Rights International has a representative on the committees of WIN (Women’s Interfaith Network) Foundation and COMMON (Centre of Melbourne Multifaith and Others Network) as both groups support human rights for everyone, everywhere.
20th September 2016
