Melbourne, Australia—Two Australian Ambassadors for Peace co-organized a performing arts event promoting peace on October 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. This is the fourth year the Festival of Talents & ACTap Awards has taken place.
Mr. Adeniyi Ekine, founder and CEO of the Australia Community Theatre & Talents Practitioners Incorporation (ACTap) and an Ambassador for Peace, organized the event with support from Ms. Taniya Jay, executive director of ACTap and also an Ambassador for Peace, and Mr. Lio Ale.
The objective of the festival is to showcase the talents and support the mental health of artists from diverse communities. For example, people living with disabilities; indigenous Aboriginals; new arrivals from all continents; refugees and asylum seekers; young people; socially isolated and disadvantaged people; and Victorians from rural and urban communities.
UPF-Australia vice president, Dr. John Bellavance, gave the keynote address. He said, “The purpose of performing arts is to bring joy and well-being to the lives of people. ACTap is truly fulfilling this purpose.” Its objectives of multiculturalism, unity, peace, welfare, advocacy and talents empowerment align well with some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, the SDG 16 is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective and accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, while SDG 3 is to ensure healthy living and promote well-being for all at all ages.