Theme: “Reconciliation”
The theme of reconciliation was chosen because 2009 was the International Year of Reconciliation.
The United Nations General Assembly, when passing a resolution establishing 2009 as the International Year of Reconciliation said; “the intention of the observance is to recognise the importance reconciliation processes in nations that have been affected by conflict, or whose society is otherwise divided.”
Opening Day
The Conference was opened by John Hayes MP Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and the progamme focussed on young people, their understanding, their contribution, and their creativity.
John Hayes's opened our 2009 conference with a very relevant address to the Conference delegates from around the country, Diplomatic community representatives, Speech Award contestants the student Peer Mediation group and interested friends. John as a member of the We the Peoples Foundation – the UNANZ Trust fund – and a Wellington Branch member was as a former diplomat very instrumental in finding a solution which ended long term conflict in Bougainville.
A group of Wellington High School students from their Peer Mediation group gave us a demonstration of their programme and answered the many questions from those present. This is a programme operating in many secondary schools in New Zealand where students receive training to mediate amongst their peers. Their responses impressed those present, and has promoted the programme in other parts of the country.
We were further impressed by the calibre of the contestants in the National Secondary School Speech Award Final International Year of Reconciliation – How Can the United Nations Contribute. The judges Dr Kevin Clements from the Peace Studies Unit, Areti Metuamate a Youth representative and Michael Norden from Toastmasters NZ.
Dhaxna Sothieson from Hillcrest High School in Hamilton was the winner and attended the National Model United Nations Conference organised by our Youth Association in July. Simon Gyenge from Tauranga and Duncan McLachlan were second and third respectively. Congratulations though to them all; the standard was very high.
While the judges were deliberating we were shown extracts from a Children's Opera for 8 – 12 year olds – Kia ora - Khalid – which is being performed around the country and focuses on the intolerance shown to refugees and children who are different with an acknowledgement in the end that we all share common values. With music by Gareth Farr and words by Dave Armstrong Stephen Aitken from Capital e explained how it had been developed and the interactive Refugees stories that accompany it. A DVD is available on request.
National Council members met in the early evening then had dinner together and acknowledged the contribution to UNANZ over many years by Dame Laurie Salas.
Speakers
The Seminar at Turnbull House on Saturday again focussed on Reconciliation and we were privileged to have a wonderful line-up of excellent speakers covering a wide range of issues where reconciliation is an important part of the process.
Professor Paul Morris Director of Religious Studies at Victoria University gave us a fascinating and scholarly account of the origin of the concept and of the recent development of the UN sponsored Alliance of Civilizations – the relationship between Islam and the West. Nation states were asked to draw up an implementation plan to encompass the role of youth, media, gender and immigration policies.
Paul had been very involved in the New Zealand document and under Helen Clark's leadership we were one of the first to do so. President Obama's address in Cairo – see page - signals a greater emphasis by the current US administration on this approach to dealing with the so called “War on Terror.”
We were fortunate to have Ema Tagicakibau from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre speak about the diverse roles of reconciliation issues in different Pacific cultures and highlighted some specific programmes where they had worked. Some have been successful, some not but there is an ongoing process of which her Suva based centre is part. Given the difficulties in Fiji and other Island states this presentation was particularly pertinent.
Ruth Nuttall from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade presented a specific case study of New Zealand involvement in Timor Leste.
Recognising that Treaty Settlements -The Te Tiriti o Waitangi are a reconciliation process unique to New Zealand Areti Metuamate – a youth representative at the first Alliance of Civilization Summit in Madrid – gave us his analysis of the purpose of the process. Thank you Areti it was most enlightening and demonstrated how necessary it is acknowledge our past so that we can go on together.
The afternoon session includes two panel discussion on Mediation Processes the first led by Gregory Fortuin – former Race Relation Conciliator – and Quaker Claire Gregory, SGI representative Melanie Greigg and Yi Shen Lau from the Bahais All these groups work closely with the UN and have reconciliation programmes.
Bishop Richard Randerson led an Interfaith Dialogue with Dr Pushpa Wood and Rehanna Ali all of whom are highly articulate speakers, active in International Interfaith Forums.
The Seminar concluded with a presentation by Jon Everest on the Restorative Justice system operating in our Justice system. Its purpose is to “repair the damage created by criminal offending and restore the balance of relationships within society...At a more practical level, restorative justice focuses on processes and practices that are more likely to build and restore rather than to stigmatise and punish”
Social Events
The social events around the Conference added to the atmosphere and the delegates met for dinner on the Saturday evening. Our guest of honor was Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser former Australian Prime Minister, who was in New Zealand to speak the following evening at the NCCD Conference.
Dr Kevin Clements the Director of the newly established Peace Studies Unit at Otago University gave a very informed and reflective dinner address. “Peacebuilding” he said “is a celebration of differences in a compact with mutuality. Reconciliation is a joining of peace, justice, compassion and truth. Each has to coexist if people who have harmed each other are to live together. The logic of creation is in love's reconciliation.”
The Annual General Meeting and National Council Meeting were held on Sunday followed by an afternoon tea in Parliament's Grand Hall commemorating International Women’s Day of Disarmament. The Minister for Disarmament, Hon Georgina Te Heuheu, spoke of the commitment of women around the world and this was further reinforced by Dr Kate Dewes, Ema Tagicakibau, and Dame Laurie Salas.
This was followed by the opening of the National Consultative Committee on Disarmament Conference. UNANZ is a founding member. The Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser gave a very challenging speech - available in full on request.
Finally I would like to thank the Wellington Committee for their assistance is organising the Conference. My second grandson was born on the first day and hence I wasn’t present for all of it.
Report by: Robin Halliday
Conference Convener 2009