Advocacy: The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI)

The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI) is a collaborative advocacy endeavour led by Australian-based representatives of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek communities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)— between these communities —was signed in 2020 by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANCA), the Assyrian National Council of Australia (ANCAU), and the Australian Hellenic Council (AHC).

The JJI’s primary objective is to foster cooperation between these communities and to advocate for the Australian Government’s formal recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides of 1915. Members of TYA play a crucial role in contributing to the success of the JJI by attending high-level meetings with various academics, dignitaries, as well as diverse stakeholders.

Through such work, young people shall be at the forefront in promoting the fundamental values of human dignity, equality, and human rights. By achieving recognition, we can further society’s understanding on how and why the genocide occurred and to identify and prevent similar atrocities from happening in the future.

Cultural Heritage: Assyrian New Year Festival of Sydney

The Assyrian New Year Festival of Sydney is one of the world’s largest annual Assyrian cultural events, hosted by the ANCAU. Attracting thousands of festivalgoers each year, this event consists of concerts, cross-cultural activities, exhibitions, folkloric music, traditional cuisine, and theatrical performances.

The Assyrian New Year Festival not only celebrates the richness of Indigenous Assyrian cultural heritage but reflects the multicultural diversity of Australia as well. Each year, TYA teams up with its parent organisation— the ANCAU —to make sure the event is a memorable experience for all.

Members of TYA are entrusted with the task of managing specific aspects of the festival, making decisions, building confidence, as well as developing leadership abilities in the process. Through their participation, members of TYA are equipped with a diverse set of skills and experiences that are essential for personal growth as well as career development.