Sydney, Australia - Democratic elections were held in Iraq on April 30, 2014, and Iraqi residents in Australia were given the opportunity to vote at polling stations set up in major capital cities. UPF-Australia representatives were invited to meet with the Iraq electoral officials for Australia and become observers for the election process in Sydney.
Ambassador for Peace, Ghassan Alassadi hosted a dinner function on May 11 at Lazziro Restaurant in Auburn for some 60 people to celebrate these elections and to thank and award officiators. Mr. Alassadi is himself a refugee from Iraq and founder of “Iraqi Renaissance” - an essentially youth-focused organization to empower the Iraqi Australian community that includes supporting a soccer club.
Guests of honor who spoke at the function included State member for Auburn Barbara Perry, Auburn Mayor Hicham Zraika, and UPF-Australia President, Greg Stone. Greg had also been an observer for the Iraqi elections at the Fairfield booth. UPF and Women's Federation for World Peace senior member, Jynene Helland, was co-emcee for the evening’s proceedings.
It is noteworthy that several members of the Iraqi community are Ambassadors for Peace and attend the bi-monthly Ambassadors for Peace meetings held at the Peace Embassy, headquarters of UPF-Oceania.