International Day of Peace Lecture 2024 - Uniting for a Just Peace

Uniting for a Just Peace

The killing and maiming of civilians over the last year is being condemned worldwide with over 40000 deaths and over 100000 serious injuries. The Israeli government, however, continues to restrict humanitarian assistance, food, healthcare and water to a population of over 2 million locked up in a prison-like strip of land. 

The abject suffering of the Palestinian people has continued since 1948 when the ‘Nakba’ or ‘catastrophe’ as it is called by Palestinians commenced. Over half of the Palestinian Arab populations fled or were expelled. The Nakba had a profound impact on the Palestinian people who lost their homes, their land and their way of life, it remains a deeply traumatic event in their collective memory and continues to shape their struggle for justice and for their rights to return to their homes.

In the 1967 war, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem, which was subsequently annexed by Israel). The war brought about a second exodus of Palestinians, with an estimated half a million people fleeing.

The recent United Nations rulings by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) aim to bring this humanitarian catastrophe to an end; however, the rulings must be actioned by member states. Australia has a legal responsibility to act as one of 63 countries out of the 189 members of the UN that have accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ and as one of 124 States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

At this 13th annual UN International Day of Peace Brisbane lecture, we will hear from Louise Adler AM who is on the advisory committee of the Jewish Council of Australia and director of the Adelaide Writers’ Week. Louise will share with us why peace matters, the lessons of her own personal history and why speaking up against injustice is critical.

Nasser Mashni is the President of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network. Nasser will address the current crisis in Gaza, the West Bank and the region. He will share his views on what is needed to reach a peaceful and just life for people living in this war zone.

The event is hosted by UNAAQ, St John’s Cathedral, Griffith University, University of Qld and Just Peace Qld Inc.

Speakers information

Nasser Mashni - President Australian Palestine Advocacy Network
Nasser is the son of a Palestinian refugee. He is a co-founder of Australians For Palestine and a founding board member of Olive Kids. With his father’s life as a refugee from Palestine during the Nakba in mind, Nasser is determined to continue the struggle for justice and a free Palestine.

Louise Adler
Louise Adler is the director of Adelaide Writers’ Week. Her illustrious career as an editor, publisher and leader in the arts spans more than three decades, and notably includes her time as CEO and publisher at Melbourne University Press from 2008–2019. She serves on the advisory committee to the Jewish Council of Australia.

Program
UNAAQ Anthem
Welcomes and acknowledges audience and special guests - MC The Very Reverand Dr Peter Catt
Acknowledgement Song - Combined Unions Choir
UN Secretary General message for the International Day of Peace - Elisabeth Haugland Austrheim
Introduction of the lecture and speakers - MC
Keynote Speech - Ms Louise Adler / Mr Nasser Mashni
Concluding Remarks - Susan Harris Rimmer UNAAQ President
Concluding Performance - Combined Unions Choir
Supper - Catering from the Beenleigh Soroptimists

• Cost: Free, but registrations essential for in-person attendance
• Please support the work we do by becoming a member!
• The event will be livestreamed on the St John's Cathedral Youtube channel