The second annual "Peace and Harmony Concert" celebrated the International Day of Peace in Sydney, and a forum in Brisbane, Queensland, explored various dimensions of the UN theme this year, "Education for Peace."
Sydney
UPF-Australia’s second annual “Peace and Harmony Concert” commemorating the UN International Day of Peace took place on September 19 in the Oceania Peace Embassy in Sydney. Some 90 people enjoyed this free social event featuring performances from the Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islands communities. Musical entertainment and lively dancing continued before and during a multicultural shared lunch.
UPF-Oceania Secretary General Greg Stone gave an insightful speech highlighting the world situation and UPF’s support of the United Nations' efforts to achieve world peace.
As with last year’s event, project partners with UPF for this concert were the Eastern Suburbs Multicultural Access Project and the South Sydney Community Aid Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre. Also this year, the Indocare group that has been meeting regularly on Thursday in the Oceania Peace Embassy for the past several months made a substantial contribution.
Brisbane, Queensland
The ensland branches of UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) celebrated the UN International day of Peace on September 21 at the Griffith University Multi-Faith Centre in Brisbane. The MC for the event, UPF’s Youth Ambassador for Peace Veronica Newman, welcomed the participants. Aboriginal elder Auntie Heather Castledine acknowledged the traditional owners of the land with a brief traditional ceremony.
The congratulatory address was delivered by UPF’s Ambassador for Peace and MP Freya Ostapovitch. A DVD introducing UPF was followed by welcoming remarks and talks by sponsor representatives John Adamedes (UPF-Queensland Chair) and Mamiko Rattley (WFWP Queensland Chair).
The program was interspersed with beautiful songs by “Kaleidoscope” led by Alexa Blonner. Everyone enjoyed a short break with refreshments and time to network and socialize.
The main segment of the program was the panel discussion on this year’s theme for the UN International Day of Peace, “Education for Peace.” Each panelist stated a view on the theme. The four panelists were:
Freya Ostapovitch MP (State Member for Stretton)
Dr. Brian Adams (Director, Multi-Faith Centre)
Dr. Njau Gitu (Director of ASCOF)
Mr. John Adamedes (UPF-Queensland Chair)
A question-and-answer time followed. The main question from the floor was "How can we educate children about peace, if there is no longer even moral and ethical education at public schools?"
The panelists each answered the question from their own professional perspective. The consensus was that moral and ethical education for peace needs to happen in every sector of society, but foremost is the need for it to begin at home while children are growing up. Nevertheless, in order to instill a culture of peace, education systems are needed to provide ethics and values education for everyone in society from children to adults. For this, resources are needed, and ultimately it must involve the government.
The day closed with everyone joining in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”