ishtartv.com-
aina.org
Posted
2015-07-02 04:16 GMT
Sydney
(AINA) -- The 2015 Assyria Day Conference, dedicated to helping Assyrians
through advocacy, education and communication, concluded on Sunday, June 28.
Hosted by The Young Assyrians (TYA), a subsidiary of the Assyrian Universal
Alliance -- Australia, the event drew close to 300 participants, including 7
parliamentarians from both Federal and State governments and 3 key speakers.
"This
year's Assyria Day conference brought to Sydney political leaders from all
sides of government, academia and political affiliations to help further the
objective of a tangible Assyrian homeland," said TYA President, Ninos
Aaron. "From our outstanding keynote speakers, to the record number of
attendees, the 2015 Assyria Day Conference was a resounding success. This event
continues to provide the Assyrian nation with a practical, achievable and
workable roadmap back home."
The
Convention featured keynotes from Ms Elizabeth Kendall, an internationally
recognised religious liberty analyst and advocate; Mr Peter Wertheim, the
Executive Director of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry; and Mr
Joseph Haweil, a prolific community activist and the director of the Assyrian
Church of the East Relief Organisation.
"The
keynote speakers delivered addressed the plight currently faced by Assyrians in
the Middle East and provided an insight into the establishment of a homeland
for Assyrians and the right to self-determination, as well as Assyrian activism
in the international forums," said Aydn Shaba, a committee member of TYA.
"They covered all aspects, past, present, future, political and spiritual,
we are truly mesmerised by the quality of the presentations. We are seeing with
our own eyes how close an Assyrian homeland can be, if we only stick with our
demands."
Mr
Haweil, one of the keynote speakers from Melbourne, said "There is the
ever-present memory of the Assyrian genocide. Assyrians in Iraq continue to
face serious human rights violations and denial of their rights to participate
in the public affairs and administration of the country and the region. On the
face of it, this state of affairs constitutes a valid basis for Assyrians to
secede from Iraq and aspire to form their own state."
Several
Australian politicians attended this year's event. Representatives of Federal,
State and Local government were amongst those in attendance, notably Rev The
Hon. Fred Nile MLC, President of the Christian Democratic Party; The Hon. Chris
Bowen MP, Federal member for McMahon, Shadow Treasurer; Mr Guy Zangari MP,
State Member for Fairfield, Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities,
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation; Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for
Prospect; The Hon David Clarke MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice; Mrs
Tanya Davies MP, Member for Mulgoa; Mr Craig Kelly MP, Federal member for
Hughes; Mr George Barcha, Deputy Mayor of Fairfield City Council; and Mr Peter
Tadros, Christian Democratic Party.
All
politicians spoke in resounding support for an Assyrian State, some expressing
their desire to be a part of a delegation to visit an Assyrian homeland upon
its establishment. Quoting former Assyrian Patriarch Eshai Shimun and speaking
of his support for the Assyrian nation, Mr Bowen concluded by stating
"Nothing is more certain than the fact that Assyria and Assyrians will
gain their rightful place again."
From left: Mr Hermiz Shahen Deputy Secretary General of the AUA; the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Federal member for McMahon, Shadow Treasurer; the Hon David Clarke MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice; Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect; Mr David David, Regional Secretary of Australia and New Zealand of the AUA (AINA photo).
Ms Elizabeth Kendall, Christian Faith and Freedom (AINA photo).
Mr Joseph Haweil, Director at Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization (AINA photo).
Mr Peter Wertheim, Executive Director, Executive Council of Australian Jewry (AINA photo).
Mr Craig Kelly MP, Federal member for Hughes (AINA photo).