Radio Brisvaani
Peace Ambassador of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) representing Australia at 2018 HWPL World Peace Summit
As I sip on my tea with the certainty of calmness for an afternoon where background sounds are absent of nearby gunfire, sirens, screams of children and acute fear, I think myself extremely lucky to live in a country free from the conflict of war. The only sounds I hear are the laughter of nearby neighbours children and the calls of local birds. It is here that I bow my head and give thanks for the peace that surrounds us in Australia, and take a moment to remember in reverence all of those who have sacrificed so much so that we may have this freedom.
As Pakruthi Mysore Guraraj states, in a country as peaceful as ours, it is sometimes difficult to recognise the atrocities that face many thousands around the world. With a strong international history and having experienced living within many different cultures, Mrs Guraraj’s passion for promoting peace as her role of Ambassador for Australia with the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is not one she takes lightly. “As a global citizen we all have our responsibility to discharge our duties for creating peaceful world for our future generations” she says of her role as Peace Ambassador.
In September 2018, Mrs Gururaj (recipient of Awardee of Merit from Greater Brisbane Women in Business Award 2017 and 2018 in recognition of her contribution to community service and social justice), accompanied by Reena Augustine (Founder of Red Carpet Multicultural Fashion Parades, Commonwealth Games Baton Bearer) represented Australia at the 4th Anniversary of World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit in Seoul, South Korea for the second consecutive year.
Together the duo joined with over 1,000 experts in various fields from around the world and more than 200000 supporters locally, uniting via a platform of Peace for the three day summit.
The first day was witness to Global Conference for the UN Adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). Prakruthi states “Seeing the involvement of so many world leaders, it indeed brings in a great assurance that the entire world is serious about declaring world peace by ceasing the war”. The following two days proved to be jam packed with a schedule of events which engaged the two representatives for Australia in a myriad of transforming experiences in the name of World Peace and united them with world leaders who are determined to realise the World Peace in one voice with a slogan “WE ARE ONE”.
With the likes of world leaders such as H.E Ivo Josipovic – the 3rd President of Croatia, Ms. Mandy Patsy Moustache – Diplomat of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E Adrien Houngbedji – President of National Assembly of Benin, H.E Gennady Burbulis – President of Baltic-Black Sea, H.E. Mr Khil Raj Regmi – Former Prime Minister of Nepal and many more, this event cements itself as an active, living and breathing reality that has the power to infiltrate millions of lives both directly and indirectly, and it is certainly no talk fest. The movement itself began in May 2013 and has continued to grow in momentum and recognition, with real, transforming initiatives being taken across hundreds of local groups around the world that are both relevant and empowering to the region in which they are held.
IWPG is one of those groups who have given a voice to so many women around the globe in uniting and uplifting the mother and our role in instilling the values and practices of peace today and for the generations to come, and providing a platform with a network forum to connect 3.6 billion women globally.
“IWPG has been established to protect precious lives with maternal hearts and to leave a legacy of a peaceful world for the future generations. The noble heart of all mothers is the most powerful force that can protect all children and be the answer to peace” (IWPG September Issue, p7).
This key role of women was certainly one of the drawing points for Pakruthi in her acceptance as role of Peace Ambassador with IWPG for Australia. “Since I have been entrusted with this honorary position it’s a great opportunity to spread an awareness of peace and to create a culture of peace for our future generations which is much needed in today’s world” says Mrs Gururaj.
On 21st September Mrs Gururaj and Miss Augustine returned to Australia uplifted, exhilarated and primed to plant the seeds of peace recognition in relevant and meaningful ways for our local region. As the opening paragraphs read, it is sometimes challenging to understand the real significance of peace promotion in a country where there is no pressing or apparent threat of conflict. However, upon closer examination, if we can apply a different lens and listen to our hearts, we may see and feel that perhaps there are spaces in our lives where conflict exists – places that we may not have previously recognised.
This focus was discussed during the recent meeting for IWPG where members were debriefed on the World Peace Summit. With pondering minds and the safety of a supportive and nurturing environment, one of the mothers mentioned that as her children enter into their teenage years, she felt like she was sometimes at war with social media. This was met with a kindred response from another mother who expressed her concerns around violence in gaming. Both these ladies voiced the depth of apparent ‘control’ these technological advances have had across their children’s hearts, minds and spirits. Other concerns that were voiced included Domestic Violence, the destructive force of drug abuse, homelessness and mental health.
Suddenly, the resounding message of peace and the need for its presence in our lives was critically evident.
The agenda was set, the challenge to instil peace in our local region was accepted and the group – lead by Mrs Guraraj – wasted no time in planning for meaningful and tangible measures to stimulate peaceful pathways through some of these areas in our lives that have the capacity to destroy peace. “Just as the mother’s womb is a place of miracle where the seed of life transforms into a new creation, if all women become a womb for everyone, we can make the miracle path of peace.” (IWPG September Issue, p7).
For further information about the IWPG Brisbane group or to become a member please email iwpgauspa@gmail.com
Kelly J Shorten
IWPG member, Australia
