Scattered around the relaxing fields of Appin Park on Sydney’s urban fringes, six high schools from NSW have come together to complete their spring course in the National Rugby League’s (NRL) In League in Harmony program (ILIH).
The NRL and Multicultural NSW have joined forces to uphold IEP’s core tenets of Positive Peace training through youth workshops dedicated to transcending sport and spirit. Organised by ILIH Program Lead, Jake Brightwell, the peace advocate workshops have helped young league players develop their skills and knowledge of peace both on and off the field, culminating in this Gala Day, where students can share their respective Peace Project ideas and finally play in league matches with one another.
The In League in Harmony program is a youth peace advocate training that spans over six weeks, focusing on what Positive Peace looks like, building social cohesion and celebrating diversity and inclusion. Participating students develop a respect for the diverse cultures and values represented in NSW, advance their communication skills within cultural dialogues and share a passion for both harmony and the NRL. Jake has been working with NRL students for years, directing their passion for sport and learning into the sphere of Positive Peace and building the next generation of leaders. Throughout the four stages of the ILIH program, students undergo some of the IEP’s training activities, including the privilege and harmony walks. This comprehensive training under Jake’s enthusiastic guidance builds the students’ sense of camaraderie and cultural awareness in the NSW community.
With the support from Multicultural NSW, one high school will receive $1,000 to pursue their Peace Project, showcasing what the students have learned and further promoting social cohesion in their respective communities. This term’s high schools include Bonnyrigg High School, Cumberland High School, Mt Annan High School, Bowral High School, Bass High School, Albion Park High School and the previous term’s Peace Project grant winners, Casula High School.
Peace Projects are a highlight of student creativity and leadership that extend the ideas of peace beyond initial advocacy training. Students create ideas to showcase their community’s cultural diversity and contribute towards Positive Peace through social events, networking opportunities and celebrations of the arts. Multicultural NSW has graciously provided the winning project idea with a $1,000 grant with the intention of making peace more widely accessible. Representing Moving Forward Together, at the Gala Day is Ernie Friedlander, a survivor of the Holocaust, whose life is a timeless example of small actions serving a major step towards lasting peace. Jake Brightwell introduces Ernie to the students, explaining that the decision of one individual led to Ernie and his mother’s escape from Europe and arrival in Australia, where he has dedicated much of his life to fostering peace and harmony.