One Voice, One Humanity: Next Gen 2024

One Voice One Humanity: Next Gen 2024   

Theme: "My Identity - where is Home"  
The 2024 theme, invites deep reflection on respect, compassion, and understanding of who we are, where we come from, and how our experiences shape our identity. This will be the central focus of our panel discussions, exploring the intersections of personal, cultural, and national identities within the broader context of human rights. Our panel will examine how experience shapes identity, influences our perception of human rights, and drives our responses to global challenges.

In support of UN Human Rights Day & World Day of Social Justice 

Based on the outstanding success of last year's event, we are excited to invite you to the 2024 One Voice, One Humanity: Next Gen event! 

This event serves as a powerful platform to amplify youth voices, promote inclusivity, and champion human rights for the next generation

The Objectives of this program are: 

Amplify Youth Voices - Fostering thought-provoking discussions and empowering self-expression on critical issues such as belonging, anti-discrimination, universal rights, and the far-reaching impact of climate change, geopolitics, and global events on human rights.

Unite for a Brighter Future - A collective voice that reflects the rich diversity of humanity, championing inclusion and pluralism. A journey of discovering our shared values while celebrating the beauty of our differences.

Inspire Action - Our mission is to educate, empower, and inspire individuals to take meaningful action. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or supporting innovative solutions, we aim to tackle longstanding challenges and shape a better future.

EVENT OUTLINE: The program consists of several segments : 

• Exhibition Hall 

Youth organisations, schools, and NFP/NGO organisations will set up interactive stalls or displays showcasing their work, educate the audience, engage with the community, raise awareness, and inspire action 

Our stalls this year include:

• Ngamuru High School Program (Northside Montessori School): With aims to create an inclusive environment for all their students, they work to support their students to grow into inclusive young adults who inspire the next generation to work towards a greater world for all.

• Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN): For more than 15 years they have worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights and interests of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. They collaborate with youth to learn from their unique perspectives and empower next generation.

• Australian Human Rights Commission: Recognising the right everyone has to seek asylum and be free from persecution the AHRC works to protect and promote this fundamental right established by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Refugee Convention. The commission plays an active role in protecting and raising awareness throughout Australia.

• Western Sydney University: A university that works hard to ensure all students feel welcome at campus. Their 'Our Refugee, New & Emerging Communities' program aims to provide migrants, refugees and asylum seekers with the resources to exceed expectations both within their studies and in the workplace.

 • United Nations Society of UNSW: A student run not for profit organisation which seeks to promote the ideals of the United Nations within the community. Their members are dedicated to the education of international politics, global affairs and the responsibilities of everyday citizens within the realm of human rights. 

• Australian Relief Organisation (ARO): The ARO works tirelessly to provide support to asylum seekers and refugees within Australia. They established their Asylum Seekers Support Program in order to ensure those seeking support after being disconnected from their families and communities can get back on their feet and find comfort in such unfamiliar environments. 

• University of Technology Sydney SOUL: The SOUL award program is a social justice leadership and action program that focuses on developing students skills to maximise the social impact of the next generation.

 • Rise & Shine Kindergarten-Orbit: A children's interactive STEM hub that aims to inspire the imagination of children.

• The Scouts: Providing young people aged 5-25 with fun and challenging opportunities to grow through adventure. The Scouts work to teach youth how to work together, strengthening leadership and teamwork skills to ensure future generations can work towards a brighter future. 

• Sudanese Youth Rising: a group that looks to foster a vibrant community for cultural heritage, educational growth and the ambitions of Sudanese youth in Australia.

• United for Human Rights - Australia: a group based in Sydney dedicated to furthering the UDHR and educating people about human rights. 

• Amnesty International: A non-governmental organisation that for over 60 years has campaigned for justice, freedom, equality and dignity. The groups aims to provide voices to those who have been silenced, and work towards protecting the human rights that all people are entitled too. Amnesty International tirelessly works to educate people on serious human rights violation, whilst invoking a call to action.

• UN Day School Program: The Program aims to inspire students to become responsible global citizens. The United Nations Day School Program is a free program that supports schools in aligning and showcasing the work they are doing in promoting environmental, social and human rights education for students.

• Sabrine Nasri (Journalist Vox Pop): Nasri is an executive Member of Women in Politics UNSW Committee. She is a part of ‘Gamamari UNSW's oldest student run publication, since 1953. Gamamari recognises the land on which we craft our stories on is stolen. Our media and publication is currently run by a team of 5 editors and we have recently introduced a podcast platform! We are committed to representing stories from all voices.'

Panel Discussions on Theme 2024 

A speaking Panel featuring youth ambassadors and influencers to invite dialogue and perspectives of the Next Gen. offering insights into the evolving role and relevance of human rights in today’s world. • 

Our speakers this year include:

• Sheron Sultan (Panel Moderator): Sultan is a Youth Committee Members for the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce and the founder of Yatimba, a fitness and development platform aimed towards self improvement. Sultan looks to empower and build a future for youth through mentorship and experience. 

• Kali Goldstone (Australian Human Rights Committee): A Senior Policy Officer at the AHRC, Goldstone is passionate about promoting women's representation in politics and human rights. Her work has included advocacy for refugees and she has broad experience directing policy initiatives towards greater inclusion within the workplace. 

• Jack Preller (UN Youth): Jack Preller is a first year in Co-op Marketing program at UNSW. Passionate about human rights, he participated in the 2023 UN Youth State and National Conferences. This has resulted in his appointment as the 2025 Director of Education for the UN Youth NSW. Preller is also the proud founder of Student-Based-Tutoring, a student led peer mentoring program which works to help students achieve their academic goals.

• Sneha Sobti (Influencer within LGBTQI / Intersectionality): Sobti is a human rights activist with a focus on the promotion of refugee and LGBTQIA+ rights. As first generation migrant queer woman Sobti actively speaks up over the stigma she and many others have faced due to their identity. Currently Sobti works as both an inclusion and wellbeing consultant and at the New Wave Women's Entrepreneurship Program at UNSW Founders. 

• Matt Gibbs (The Rights of the Child - AHRC): Senior policy advisor at the Australian Human Rights Commission, Gibbs is passionate about the education of and protecting the rights of children across Australia.

• Maryam Ismail (Western Sydney University): Having lived as a refugee and asylum seeker in a third country before resettling in Australia, Maryam brings a profound understanding of the challenges faced by displaced people and the circumstances that compel them to flee their countries. These formative experiences, combined with a strong passion for human rights, inspired her to pursue a degree in International Relations. Maryam aims to integrate her personal journey with her academic endeavours to advocate for and advance the human rights of those in vulnerable conditions

• Tahmara Thomas: The founder of Her Village a not for profit organisation empowering young refugee women to become leaders of tomorrow. Thomas is passionate about human rights and ensuring all can live their life in Australia safe, happy and free from fear.                                                                                                                                                                  

Entertainment  

Performances, poetry, art installations, video vox pop • 

• Ugandan dance troupe Wakwetu - Multicultural African Communities Network:
Powerful Dance Performance
movements and expressive gestures, the dancers convey the urgency for change and highlight the plight of women in Africa raising awareness about the pressing issues of genital mutilation and human rights violations.

The UNAA Schools Program 

participants from the UNAA Schools Program will display their projects, and school winners will be announced • 

Human Rights Calendar 

We invite individuals aged 10-16 / 17-25  to enter in the Human Rights Calendar competition using https://www.canva.com/educatio... where participants will have the opportunity to creatively engage with human rights themes, and winning entries will be part of the UNAA(NSW) Human Rights Calendar.  The artworks will be displayed at our exhibition hall with winners announced at the event. 

Our Sponsors:

This year our sponsors included: 

• Western Sydney University

• University of Technology Sydney

• Canva

• Affinity

All of which are highly dedicated to ensuring human rights are promoted and respected. Their sponsorship has allowed our team to continue to promote the rights off all, and work towards a brighter future for people across the globe.