International Day of Peace

The UNANZ celebration for the International Day of Peace will take place on Monday 21st September 2015, 5.30 – 8.30 pm at Parliament in the Legislative chamber.

Our Keynote Speaker, Dr Kennedy Graham MP, will set the scene by speaking on the ‘invincible power of community spirit’.

The event will take the form of a panel discussion of ideas contributed from various community groups around NZ on actions which can be taken to create a culture of peace locally. The basis for the discussion will be the 9 point summary of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals – “Transforming the World by 2030 – A New Agenda for Global Action” – to be presented for adoption at the United Nations at the end of September 2015.

The outcome of our discussion will act as a contribution from New Zealand, and will be sent to the NZ Permanent Representative to the UN and the government of NZ.

The evening will conclude with a lively performance by the Multicultural Council of Wellington; highlighting how New Zealand continues to emerge as a kaleidoscope of multiculturalism, peace and unity among nations.

Event outline

5.30pm * Refreshments

* Welcome:

- Maori welcome

- City welcome – Her Worship the Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown

* Key-note speaker: Kennedy Graham MP, on “The Invincible Power of Community Spirit”

* Panel Chair: Dr Graham Hassall (President of the United Nations Association of New Zealand)

Panellists will offer contributions to the draft text of the document prepared through community consultation for this meeting (based on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda). The text will be finalised during the discussion.

* Panel Speakers:

- Mrs Rosslyn Noonan (Former Chief Commissioner at Human Rights Commission NZ)

- Sir Kenneth Keith (Judge of the International Court of Justice)

- Dr Jay Shaw (Founder of the Society for Philosophy and Culture)

- Dr Brad Jackson (Head of School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington)

- Ambassador Rob Zaagman (Former First Secretary of the Dutch Mission to United Nations)

- Dr SungYong Lee (Researcher/Lecturer at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict)

Please see overleaf for a brief biography on panel speakers.

* Q&A session: Audience’s input as contributing to the final agreed document.

* Multicultural Council of Wellington’s cultural performance.

*8.30pm Closing:

- Remarks from Her Worship the Mayor

- Blessing from Whanganui Kaumatua John Niko Maihi

ENDS

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