In a landmark event at the Bondi Pavilion, mayors from across Sydney, representing over half the city’s population, gathered to issue a powerful joint statement calling for an end to religious violence and acts of hate. Their collective message was clear: they are committed to fostering harmony, understanding, and mutual respect among the diverse communities of Sydney.
The roundtable, organized by the mayors of Liverpool (Ned Mannoun), Waverley (Will Nemesh), and Inner West (Darcy Byrne), who represent Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities respectively, served as a symbol of the city’s multicultural spirit. The gathering exemplified the potential of cooperation across different religious and cultural backgrounds to strengthen social cohesion.
A Unified Message
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun emphasized the extraordinary level of harmony and agreement demonstrated by the mayors at the meeting, highlighting how this type of collaboration is unique to Australia. “We call what happened a multicultural event, but really it was an Australian event—a product of living in the most successful multicultural society in the world,” he said. “Overseas, nationalities violently disagree with each other, but here in Australia, we simply must say a very loud ‘NO’ to hate.”
The mayors jointly condemned the rise in religious violence, specifically acknowledging the growing antisemitism and racism targeting various faith communities, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists. They stressed that such hate has no place in Australian society.
Commitment to Action
The group expressed strong support for tougher legislation at both the state and federal levels to outlaw ethnic vilification and discrimination. However, they noted that effective change must also happen at the community level, with local governments playing a critical role in fostering understanding and collaboration between diverse groups.
“We, the mayors of Sydney, are uniquely placed to bring our communities together,” Mayor Mannoun said. “Our goal is to create a stronger, safer, and more united society where everyone feels respected and valued. By working together across Sydney, we can build bridges and foster understanding, regardless of postcode.”
To this end, the councils have agreed to work collaboratively, sharing strategies and launching programs to enhance interfaith and multicultural understanding. Initiatives include organizing public events and celebrations that focus on common values, as well as actively preventing religious vilification and violence.
Promoting Social Cohesion and Stronger Communities
The statement outlined several key actions to enhance social cohesion:
- Celebrating Commonalities: The mayors encouraged people to focus on the shared values that unite them, emphasizing dialogue and mutual respect. Mayor Mannoun underscored Liverpool Council’s commitment to celebrating its city’s diversity, saying, “Liverpool is home to more than 150 nationalities, and we are proud to celebrate the rich cultural makeup of our fast-growing city.”
- Investing in Education: There was a strong call for the New South Wales and Federal Governments to invest in multicultural and interfaith education programs to strengthen community ties and promote unity.
- Tackling Hate Crimes: The mayors also called for enhanced legislation to combat hate crimes, discrimination, and racism, ensuring that stronger protections are put in place for all communities. They emphasized the need for better security infrastructure and resources to safeguard at-risk communities.
- Collaboration Across Local Government: The group pledged to continue working together, sharing best practices, and advocating for policies that promote safety and inclusivity. The mayors expressed their commitment to formalizing these efforts through strategic frameworks.
A Unified Vision for Sydney’s Future
The statement concluded with a shared vision for the future of Sydney, emphasizing that social cohesion, respect, and understanding are key to ensuring that every community feels safe and valued. “We are committed to being champions of social cohesion,” the statement declared. “Our communities deserve to live free from fear and hatred, and we will work together to uphold these values and advocate for the support needed to achieve them.”
This historic gathering of mayors serves as a reminder of Sydney’s strength as a multicultural, multifaith city. Through collective leadership and action, these mayors aim to set a new standard for harmony, ensuring that Sydney remains a beacon of unity and inclusivity for all.
