Hamilton EthnicA Conference

My Saturday morning was spent listening to the voices of people from various multicultural groups at the Hamilton EthnicA Conference organised by the Office of Ethnic Affairs.  It was my day-off and I spent it very wisely and productively getting all the insights from the speakers, presenters and the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Judith Collins, MP, who gave the opening remarks.  As I sat there and listened to her and the other speakers, I couldn't help but feel sad and elated at the same time.  Because I left the land of my birth but I was in a place of my own choosing, ready and committed to do what's best.

This was the start of a series of consultations with various ethnic groups in Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.  The CEO of the Electoral Commission reiterated his call for migrants to participate in the electoral process, now that we have a national election this coming September 20.

The three speakers who talked about their upbringing in a changing New Zealand society did very well in connecting us, the newbies with them who are now the oldies.  They all had a common thread in saying that self-determination in one's future because one wants a better life for one's children and family, has driven them and are driving us, and will drive the future generation.  The final stage of the conference was a PechaKucha type of presentation by four youth leaders.  Once again they were able to drive the point of being positively different at the same time making a difference in whatever situation they found themselves to be in.

At the end of the conference, I felt recharged and determined that surely there is good place for me in Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.  All I have to do is to open my heart to my neighbors.  One must not look for discrimination for we will find it for sure.  We need to look past it!