Australian Ambassador for Peace Speaks at UN in Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland – During Refugee Week from June 16-22, 2025, Dr. Bruce Wong, an Australian UPF ambassador for peace, spoke at the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He shared his story as a refugee from Cambodia, who later became the owner of a successful Australian business.

Describing the occasion afterward, he said: “Standing alongside Sue (his wife) and surrounded by some of the world's most courageous human rights advocates was a moment I will never forget. It was truly an honour to speak alongside inspiring leaders and experts such as Dr. Moulay Lahsen Naji, Dr. Ayman Okeil, Mehmet Sukru Guzel, Ignacio Ortiz, Gajmoula Boussif, and Hulya Kurt, the vocation architect. Their insights, experience, and unwavering commitment to justice were incredibly humbling to witness."

The key message Dr. Wong shared was about the power of partnership. He said, “Over the years, in both my professional and community work, I’ve learned that real and lasting change doesn’t happen alone. It takes collaboration between governments, local and international NGOs, educators, community leaders, businesses, and everyday people. When we come together with trust and shared purpose, we can create something much greater than we could achieve on our own. Whether we’re rebuilding lives after conflict, standing up for the right of return, or working to make our systems fairer, we must do it together.”

He encouraged policymakers to listen more deeply to lived experience and called on advocates to reach beyond the usual networks. He asked funders to invest in people, not just in programs. Behind every policy is a person. Behind every crisis is a story. And behind every challenge, there is hope if we choose to act.

By Dr. John Bellavance, Vice President, UPF-Australia June 25, 2025