Sydney (AINA) -- The 2015 Assyria Day Conference, dedicated to helping Assyrians through advocacy, education and communication, concluded on Sunday, June 28. Hosted by The Young Assyrians (TYA), a subsidiary of the Assyrian Universal Alliance -- Australia, the event drew close to 300 participants, including 7 parliamentarians from both Federal and State governments and 3 key speakers.

"This year's Assyria Day conference brought to Sydney political leaders from all sides of government, academia and political affiliations to help further the objective of a tangible Assyrian homeland," said TYA President, Ninos Aaron. "From our outstanding keynote speakers, to the record number of attendees, the 2015 Assyria Day Conference was a resounding success. This event continues to provide the Assyrian nation with a practical, achievable and workable roadmap back home."

The Convention featured keynotes from Ms Elizabeth Kendall, an internationally recognised religious liberty analyst and advocate; Mr Peter Wertheim, the Executive Director of the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry; and Mr Joseph Haweil, a prolific community activist and the director of the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation.

"The keynote speakers delivered addressed the plight currently faced by Assyrians in the Middle East and provided an insight into the establishment of a homeland for Assyrians and the right to self-determination, as well as Assyrian activism in the international forums," said Aydn Shaba, a committee member of TYA. "They covered all aspects, past, present, future, political and spiritual, we are truly mesmerised by the quality of the presentations. We are seeing with our own eyes how close an Assyrian homeland can be, if we only stick with our demands."

Mr Haweil, one of the keynote speakers from Melbourne, said "There is the ever-present memory of the Assyrian genocide. Assyrians in Iraq continue to face serious human rights violations and denial of their rights to participate in the public affairs and administration of the country and the region. On the face of it, this state of affairs constitutes a valid basis for Assyrians to secede from Iraq and aspire to form their own state."

Several Australian politicians attended this year's event. Representatives of Federal, State and Local government were amongst those in attendance, notably Rev The Hon. Fred Nile MLC, President of the Christian Democratic Party; The Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Federal member for McMahon, Shadow Treasurer; Mr Guy Zangari MP, State Member for Fairfield, Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation; Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect; The Hon David Clarke MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice; Mrs Tanya Davies MP, Member for Mulgoa; Mr Craig Kelly MP, Federal member for Hughes; Mr George Barcha, Deputy Mayor of Fairfield City Council; and Mr Peter Tadros, Christian Democratic Party.

All politicians spoke in resounding support for an Assyrian State, some expressing their desire to be a part of a delegation to visit an Assyrian homeland upon its establishment. Quoting former Assyrian Patriarch Eshai Shimun and speaking of his support for the Assyrian nation, Mr Bowen concluded by stating "Nothing is more certain than the fact that Assyria and Assyrians will gain their rightful place again."