Peace Through Unity presentation by Chelsea-Anne Phillips

In this world, most of us are at our wits end. We want peace, we need peace! Where ever we are, in our work places, between neighbors, in our somewhat dysfunctional families, there are arguments and disharmony. Heck, even in our schools children are tearing other children apart! We sigh as we pick up the daily paper, another young girl, abducted, raped and assaulted. A man beaten and left to die on the side of the road. We think to ourselves "this just isn't right" or "it's the responsibility of our government to deal with these issues; there is not a single thing I could do to help." Come on, let's admit it, how many of us are willing to say that these situations are not concerning? How many of you are worried that this man or that woman could be you? Or even someone that you love? Something has to change in this country and desperately everyone is looking for answers and I can't say that I have them all myself, but I know that the only way we can ever make peace happen is through Unity.

My name is Chelsea - Anne Phillips, and I am an 18 year old graduate from Wanganui High School, and now currently a member of the Wanganui District Youth Council. Now you're probably sitting there looking at me inquisitively thinking "what on earth could this 18 year old girl with multi - coloured hair and too many freckles have to say to us that's of any importance?" Well to tell you the truth I'm not really that important at all, actually I'm just an average New Zealander, like most of you here, but I think that is where the solution lies. I'm a New Zealander, I was born here, I was bred here, and I love it here.

Here in New Zealand we have so many opportunities before us, we all have a future waiting for us and we all have the potential to be great. Impossible is nothing for us New Zealanders, we just get out that number 8 wire and give our brother a hand no matter how hard or ridiculous the task at hand sounds. We are made up of so many different people, all of different cultures and races, ages and genders, that sometimes it's the differences that we used to appreciate that are the things that make it hard for us to get along. These differences can tear us apart, start disputes and I hate to say it, but it can be the root of hatred and violence in our communities.

It shouldn't be this way I'm very sure, but it's the sad reality for us here in this country, we have so much! There is no need to fight, yet we still do! There is always someone to blame. Unfortunately because of these differences, family breakdown is one of the biggest problems our country face. Values such as encouragement and support and trust seem to be a forlorn rarity between families leading to communication breakdown, then to further separation and divorce. These breakdowns can have devastating effects on people's lives and consequently can cause people to foster anger and hatred, leading to crimes such as rape or sexual abuse, theft, violence or even murder.

I feel that this is due to a lack in sufficient education on how to effectively "bring up" and keep alive supportive families. People are searching for answers and all they get in return is more questions.

May I please ask all of the parents here to raise their hands.
Now please would all of the grandparents please raise their hands.
Everyone take a look around you, see the different people with their hands raised, they must care about their children, their grandchildren.
You can lower your hands now, I just wanted to prove a point here, by having a child in this country or where ever you are means that you willing to care for and nurture that child, teach them right from wrong, bring them up as caringly and lovingly as you can. Otherwise, you wouldn't have children now would you? How many of you would say that your children are or were your most beautiful, creative, prized creation? That's right! You really care for your children and your grand children don't you?! Don't you wonder where the values that you were taught as a child have gone? Yes, you do your best to bring up your children but in today's world things have changed dramatically in the last 20 years or so where such values are no longer accepted as common practice. People treat each other like dirt to get to what ever they want, no matter the consequences, and even though we do our absolute best, marriages and families are falling apart faster than ever!

The break down of marriages and families is devastating and the causes can be many different things such as financial difficulty, cultural or religious differences, mental illness, or even an addiction to things such as alcohol or drugs. The only way to promote and enhance safer families is education - in it's wider sense. It's amazing how many marriages break down due to a lack of education on how to support a family, manage their money and keep a successful marriage alive and in good stead. Possibly better funding should be put towards educative seminars and resources in our communities on how to become strong and caring families in New Zealand. By promoting this sort of information in schools, communities and encouraging people from different cultures to try new and proven ways of raising a family in New Zealand. Seminars could be held in community settings such as halls or buildings.

I understand the complexity of some relationships and the need for a separation or divorce, and in no way do I wish to point the finger at any one who has been or still is involved in a divorce or separation. I myself am a child of divorce, my father was mentally ill and that separated my mother and father so much that it became unsafe to remain married. I understand completely that every marriage is a different story, however education always helps and is the only way for us to help each other to raise our families whether you be a single parent or have your partner working alongside you. My mum always like to say to other parents "you don't have to be super mum or dad you just have to be available and loving. It's impossible to be a super parent but its worth giving it a shot. Don't you owe your children that much?"

I wish to leave you with a proposal:

1. That we, in New Zealand take the first step to peace and establish a ministry for a 'culture' of peace.
2. That we practice that which we preach, and live the life style that we are trying to promote and want others to live.
3. That we work together as one, not worried about who gets what position. Because if we fight over such things we are immediately contradicting our objectives.
4. That we use the resources we have to promote, support and encourage the families in our communities, aiming to make them stronger and better than ever.