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Legislative Council Chamber, NSW Parliament House, 3 November 2003

"The ability to live side by side, in tolerance and understanding, has a multiplying effect that allows human beings to flourish and develop."
Juan Carlos Brandt, Director UNIC Australia, in his speech to the convention

'Mobilising for Peace' was the theme of the fifth Henry Parkes Citizenship Convention for Primary Schools, held on 3 November, in the Legislative Council Chamber of the NSW Parliament. The first convention in 1999 had considered the issue of Australia as a Republic; the second in 2000 had explored Reconciliation; the third, in Centenary of Federation year, had discussed multi-culturalism - 'Unity and Diversity: Living in Australia', and the fourth in 2002 had explored the rights and responsibilities of voting in a democratic society.

With the assistance of Graham Spindler and Daniela Giorgi from the Parliamentary Education and Community Relations Unit, participation was invited from government and non-government schools in Henry Parkes' old Sydney electorates, as well as three country schools - Parkes Public, which had been established by Sir Henry at the request of the people of Parkes, the public school in Faulconbridge, where Henry had established his Blue Mountains home, and Collector Public School, a prize-winner in last year's Margaret Parkes Awards.

As last year the Foundation offered grants from funds earned from some of our Federation activities to enable the country schools to participate. Parkes Shire Council matched our grant to help their school with accommodation and travel costs .

Seventeen schools accepted our invitation and were sent resource material along with a discussion plan to help them consider strategies for achieving a culture of peace and non-violence at the individual level, in local communities, and worldwide. Thirteen of the schools then sent six delegates to report on their discussions at the Parliament House convention. They were also invited to create a 'peace mobile' which would be hung in the Parliament House Fountain Court after the Convention.

The President of the Upper House, Dr Meredith Burgmann, allowed the use of the Legislative Council Chamber and opened the Convention.

Cherie Burton MP for Kogarah was to chair the proceedings but illness unfortunately prevented her from doing so. At the last minute, Graham Spindler stepped into the breach and ably performed the role.

Juan Carlos Brandt, Director of the United Nations Information Centre Australia, spoke of what peace means to the United Nations and outlined its peacekeeping work. He emphasised that creating a culture of peace is not just essential in the international arena, but also "throughout Australia, New South Wales and in every suburb of Sydney … Because what happens in your neighbourhood, ultimately, will reflect on what you are as a nation." He pointed out that the UN has a special site called 'CyberSchoolBus' (www.cyberschoolbus.un.org), where young people from all around the world can go and talk to each other about issues affecting the world.

Dr Brandt was followed by Stuart Rees, Professor of Social Work and Social Policy, at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney. He spoke about ways in which poetry can generate interest and excitement in the cause of peace. He also drew an important distinction between peace itself and peace with justice. "Peace usually refers to the state of affairs when people stop fighting. Peace with justice refers to struggles to recognise people's human rights and to work with them to attain dignity and a certain quality of life." (Read Professor Rees' talk as a PDF.)

A strong theme that came through all the speeches and school reports was the role of individual attitudes and actions in creating local, regional and global peace, and the importance of safeguarding human rights in maintaining peace.

Participating schools
Balmain Public School
Collector Public School*
Darlington Public School
Faulconbridge Public School*
Holy Innocents Public School
Hunters Hill Public School
Loreto Kirribilli Junior School
North Sydney Demonstration School
Parkes Public School*
Plunkett St Public School
Ryde Public School
St Peters Public School
Ultimo Public School

* The Henry Parkes Foundation provided grants to these country schools, and Parkes Public School was also assisted by Parkes Shire Council.