PLEA TO GIVE PEACE A CHANCE
COMPASSION is key when it comes to accepting other cultures, religions and beliefs and a message Toowoomba’s Mahsa Nabizada hopes to convey in her home town.
The Year 12 Fairholme College student recently returned from her trip to Malaysia and Singapore, where she fulfilled the role of an Australian delegate.
Pureland College invited the 18-year-old to speak at the two-day International Peace Conference, which discussed the barriers and resolutions involved with creating a more harmonious world.
“Social cohesion is so vital for multicultural countries like Australia and we’re only growing more and more,” she said.
“Accept people regardless of their differences, don’t define people based on labels and ask the uncomfortable questions because it’s more offensive to make assumptions.”
The driven high school senior plans to launch a virtual platform with a Malaysian delegate early next year, to strengthen the relationship between Australia and Malaysia.
But Ms Nabizada shared several insights she took away from the life-changing experience and shared her reflections on Ukraine war.
“It’s so disturbing to see that kind of conflict happen in the world we live in today – a conflict that is harming innocent civilians and young children,” she said.
“Personally, I find it hard to have the family, friends, support, protection and opportunities I have while over there, people who are my age are just trying to survive or have been forced to leave their homes and families.
“That is the tragedy of war and conflict.”