by John Bellavance | Senior Ambassador for Peace | Universal Peace Federation Australia
The Role of the Diaspora in Peacebuilding – A Commitment to Peaceful Coexistence and a Safe, Inclusive World
Peace is one of the five pillars of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, alongside People, Planet, Prosperity, and Partnership. The agenda’s vision of peaceful, just, and inclusive societies underscores the necessity of dialogue, dignity, and cooperation in an increasingly polarised and conflict-affected world.
To commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, a high-level dialogue was convened on 31 January 2026 in Melbourne. The event brought together a distinguished group of leaders, including former Afghan government officials, academics, peace practitioners, faith-based leaders, and representatives of Afghan, African, Iranian, and interfaith communities in Australia. The gathering explored the critical role of diaspora communities as agents of peacebuilding, with a particular focus on Australia as a site of responsibility, opportunity, and moral leadership.
John Bellavance (first on the left) together with the participants of the peace building forum
Key Peacebuilding Principles
The dialogue identified the following core principles:
Peacebuilding requires universally shared values
Dignity, inclusion, and agency are foundational
Safe spaces for honest dialogue are essential
Diaspora communities are transnational peace actors
Leadership must translate values into action
Dialogue counters extremism
Peace is relational, local, and practiced daily
Peace begins with the individual and the family
Spiritual and secular ethics must work together
