School students and Illawarra People For Peace (IP4P) members took to song and friendship to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace.
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‘The Right to Peace - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70’, was the theme of Friday’s event in Wollongong.
IP4P president Reverend Geoff Flynn said it was 70 years since the charter for human rights was signed but there's actually not a right to peace in that particular charter.
“So the UN are suggesting today that we celebrate peace by encouraging and educating young people to be active in peace making,” Rev Flynn said.
Students from Amity College, Wollongong Public School, Edmund Rice College and St Mary’s College performed during the September 21 event at Wollongong Mall.
Reverend Miao You from the Nan Tien Temple also made a speech about peace and human rights.
Amity College president Dr Mehmet Aslan also spoke about social justice and equality.
“A peaceful nation and society is one where there is social justice, equality and proper education for everyone,” he said.
“In the Illawarra region, as Illawarra People For Peace, schools, NGOs and other faith organisations, we have been acting collectively to promote peace and harmony in the wider community.”
Dr Aslan said we needed to promote peace more not only in our community but also across the globe.
“The world we live in often suffers turmoil and disorder. Unfortunately we are constantly hearing about negative news,” he said.
“However, events such as today provide a symbolic opportunity to change the negativity.”