Voices for Peace

Through an extensive consultation in 2024, the Queensland community told QPASTT that they saw an urgent need for positive, collective advocacy and action to promote belonging, kindness, compassion, acceptance and equity in the national discourse.

In response, the Voices for Peace project was conceived; a series of short videos to amplify words of wisdom from leaders and elders across Queensland’s diverse communities, aimed to foster collective peacebuilding, resilience and connection, particularly during challenging times.

Each and every person, regardless of their cultural background, will experience difficult times. Sharing the personal experiences of individuals and communities is one way to start broader conversations across our communities about how we support each other and nurture a peaceful, compassionate society.

Voices for Peace videos can be downloaded through the links below:

Voices for Peace Video 1 – Stronger Together – Building a Socially Inclusive Future

Community members and leaders share their thoughts and advice on what building a socially inclusive future entails.

Voices for Peace Video 2 – Voices of Wisdom: Coping with Challenging Times

Community members and leaders share their words of wisdom on coping with challenging times.

Voices for Peace Video 3 – Voices for Peace: How to Nurture a Peaceful Society

Community members and leaders share how all of us can take action for a peaceful, just society.

How to use the Voices for Peace videos

The Voices for Peace suite of videos are available for download by the general public for use in a range of settings, including:

1. Community groups, gatherings and events

Voices for Peace videos can be used as an ice breaker and to increase awareness of the challenges communities impacted by conflict experience and what belonging means to them.

An activity that can support awareness-raising and positive dialogues includes the screening of Voices for Peace videos at community gatherings, groups and events and then holding an open discussion on:

What belonging means to participants
What it means to live in a peaceful society
Sharing how participants cope through getting through difficult times

2. Youth-focused activities

Young people who are impacted by overseas conflicts can struggle with:

Increased financial pressures to assist relatives in conflict zones to flee
Existing pressures and stressors (cost-of-living, housing, settlement, discrimination) already impacting wellbeing and coping ability
Parental preoccupation with conflict in their homeland, and difficulty being present for children
Parents exposing children to media content related to conflicts, resulting in confusion, stress and anger for young people
Increased bullying and conflicts at schools between young people from different cultural groups, including incidents related to current overseas conflicts

Voices for Peace videos can be screened to groups of young people who are impacted by overseas conflicts or to young people who are unaware of the impact of overseas conflicts on their peers.

If these videos are shown to youth who may have experienced war, violence or conflict, QPASTT recommends that facilitators discuss the video purpose and content with young people first and ensure that social and emotional supports are in place.

3. Online promotion

Raising awareness of the impacts of overseas conflicts on communities in Queensland is critical to promote a shared understanding along with messages of strength and resilience during difficult times. We invite you to share Voices for Peace videos on your social media channels.

4. One-to-one settings

The Voices for Peace videos can also be used in one-to-one settings with family, friends, community members, clients, and young people. It can be used as a conversation starter and to discuss strategies to cope with difficult times.

The videos can also be shared in one-to-one settings as an educational tool with Queenslanders who are not from war-affected communities, to build their awareness about the impact of ongoing conflicts and to share visions for a peaceful, compassionate society.

Download: How to use Voices for Peace videos

In need of support?

QPASTT’s free Support Line can hep people from refugee and similar backgrounds.

Call (07) 3391 6677 | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am to 5pm | Wed: 1pm to 5pm

Acknowledgement of Country

QPASTT acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land where we live and work and we pay our respect to their cultures, their ancestors and their elders – past and present. We recognise the continuing trauma caused by losses of children, language, lore and land and the impact that this continues to have on psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We recognise that since time immemorial, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have nurtured communities of belonging and thriving and we work in solidarity towards a future of healing and justice.

QPASTT supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a First Nations Voice to Parliament - read our statement here.

QPASTT is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and equitable environment for people from all genders, sexualities, religions and cultures – for our clients, communities and our staff.

QPASTT is committed to the safety and protection of children, young adults and vulnerable people in all its work. When entering our offices or engaging in our programs, staff, volunteers and contractors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with QPASTT core values and the safeguarding practices which are inherent in all QPASTT policies. QPASTT provides a welcoming, inclusive, trusted, and safe environment for all clients while acknowledging the importance of establishing and maintaining clear professional boundaries that protect everyone and promote safety.