’Cannot be kept by force’: Inspiring speaker reveals secrets to achieving peace

An inspiring woman who works with young people to help them overcome issues concerning diversity, racism, homophobia and prejudice, has delivered a powerful speech at a Toowoomba event. See what she had to say here.

While many powerful messages were delivered at the 2023 National Peace Conference in Toowoomba at the weekend, all speeches shared the theme of establishing peace and harmony.

Hosted by Pure Land Learning College, the annual event was held on Saturday at St Patrick’s Cathedral Centre, and is designed to unite all community groups and celebrate diversity.

Keynote speaker Tanja Hagedorn recalled sticking a poster of Albert Einstein on her bedroom wall as a teenager, with the quote ‘peace cannot be kept by force – it can only be achieved by understanding’.

Tanja Hagedorn of Together for Humanity gives the keynote address at the National Peace Conference 2023 at St Patrick's Cathedral Centre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Carrying the quote with her and into her career, Ms Hagedorn now works as the Queensland education co-ordinator for Together For Humanity – a not-for-profit organisation which facilitates support groups for young people at schools to overcome issues concerning diversity.

Designed to create spaces for students to have respectful dialogue, learn and create a better understanding by listening to other perspectives, Ms Hagedorn said issues covered included racism, homophobia, religious discrimination and prejudices.

“Student’s behaviour is often managed through rules – they are told what to say, what to do, what not to say and what not to do, and if they don’t get it right there are consequences,” she said.

“While policies are an important piece of the puzzle in managing unacceptable behaviour, policies alone are unlikely to impact individuals or result in lifelong change (when it comes to these issues).”

Guests listens to the speakers at the National Peace Conference 2023 at St Patrick's Cathedral Centre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Hagedorn shared a story about a female student who said they did not feel comfortable with a transgender female student using the girl’s school bathrooms, during a group session.

“Conflict must be acknowledged and the reasons for conflict must be given the room to rise to the surface,” she said.

“Inappropriate, negative or dangerous behaviours are an indication of an underlying conflict and an invitation to lean in and when we do it’s important to really listen.”

The keynote speaker said while there was initially silence between the two students and the “tension was palpable” both participants had a conversation in the group setting.

Guest speaker Senior Constable Catherine English speaking at the National Peace Conference 2023 at St Patrick's Cathedral Centre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Was this an opportunity (for someone) to jump in and shut it down or lecture or distract, or was it an opportunity to allow this conflict to be voiced, values and fears to be explored and for greater understanding to be achieved,” she said.

“(Both participants) discussed personal and social anxiety, the trans girl was given the opportunity to express how scary it was for her to enter the bathroom, and because they made the choice to stay respectful, they walked out of that session as allies.

“Three years later I saw the trans girl – she hugged me and said ‘do you remember the toilet dialogue? It impacted me so much.’”

“By naming things we are not OK with, as long as we do so with the goal of understanding each other, we can achieve great things.”

The conference program featured several activities and speeches including an address on youth justice crime which was delivered by Queensland Police Service Senior Constable Catherine English.