Advocacy: The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI)

The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI) is a collaborative advocacy initiative led by Australian-based representatives of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek communities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)— between these communities —was signed in 2020 by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), the Assyrian National Council of Australia Inc. (ANCA), and the Australian Hellenic Council (AHC).

The JJI’s primary objective is to foster cooperation between these communities and to advocate for the Australian Government’s formal recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek genocides of 1915. Members of TYA play a crucial role in contributing to the success of the JJI by attending high-level meetings with various academics, dignitaries, as well as diverse stakeholders.

Through such work, young people shall be at the forefront in promoting the fundamental values of human dignity, equality, and human rights. By achieving recognition, we can further society’s understanding on how and why the genocide occurred and to identify and prevent similar atrocities from happening in the future.

Cultural Heritage: Assyrian New Year Festival of Sydney

The Assyrian New Year Festival of Sydney is one of the world’s largest annual Assyrian cultural events, hosted by the ANCA. Attracting thousands of festivalgoers each year, this event consists of concerts, cross-cultural activities, exhibitions, folkloric music, traditional cuisine, and theatrical performances.

The Assyrian New Year Festival not only celebrates the richness of Indigenous Assyrian cultural heritage but reflects the multicultural diversity of Australia as well. Each year, TYA teams up with its parent organisation— the ANCA —to make sure the event is a memorable experience for all.

Members of TYA are entrusted with the task of managing specific aspects of the festival, making decisions, building confidence, as well as developing leadership abilities in the process. Through their participation, members of TYA are equipped with a diverse set of skills and experiences that are essential for personal growth as well as career development.

Community: Assyria Day

Assyria Day is an annual commemoration typically observed on 1 July dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of the Assyrian people. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous Assyrians, both in their diaspora communities and within the countries that constitute their Traditional Homelands.

The over-arching theme is “Return to Assyria” and is intended to promote initiatives aimed at re-affirming the Assyrian people’s right to self-determination as enshrined in international law. The day is marked by various activities and discussions, including calls for international support, establishment of funding mechanisms to facilitate repatriation, and efforts to address the socio-economic needs of Assyrians living in their Traditional Homelands.

Each year, we invite a diverse array of speakers, representing various backgrounds and experiences, to share their perspectives and insights. These speakers contribute valuable ideas on how to strengthen the Assyrian voice, amplify our advocacy efforts, and to explore innovative strategies and collaborations for achieving our goals effectively.

Community: Assyrian Martyrs Day

Assyrian Martyrs Day, also known as Assyrian Remembrance Day, is traditionally held on 7 August. This day aims to commemorate Assyrian victims of genocide, persecution, and oppression throughout history.

This includes the systematic massacres in Bohtān, Hakkâri, Ṭūr ʿAbdīn, the Nineveh Plain, and Ūrmīyā between 1828 and 1847, as well as the genocidal campaigns that followed in 1895–1896, 1909, and between 1914 and 1925, carried out first by the Ottoman Empire and its successor state, the Republic of Türkiye, the Simele Massacre of 1933 in the then Kingdom of Iraq, and the massacre that followed at Ṣorīyā in 1969 under Iraq's Baʿath regime.

Since its inception, The Young Assyrians has held annual commemorative events to mark 7 August. These events aim to demonstrate the organisation’s unwavering commitment to promoting education, advocating for recognition, and driving accountability for those directly involved in committing such atrocities and their collaborators.