Latest news with #RaceUnitySpeechAwards
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Jordyn's journey to the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards in New Zealand
JORDYN Joy Pillay, a former South African teenager, achieved national recognition in New Zealand for her commitment to promoting better race relations. Pillay, 16, who lives in Ormiston Flat Bush in Auckland, claimed the title of national champion in the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards. 'This achievement has definitely exceeded many of the accolades I have received so far.' Jordyn, who is formerly from Phoenix in Durban, said the annual awards, which are held by the Race Unit organisation, was a nationwide speech competition. The organisation comprises New Zealand's police, Bahá'í community, Federation of Multicultural Councils and Ministry of Ethnic Communities. She said it was aimed at providing insight and impact on race relation matters across New Zealand, and to propose solutions or a vision for a world with increased cultural diversity. Jordyn, a Year 12 (Grade 11) pupil at Ormiston Senior College, said the awards provided a platform for the voices of the Youth of New Zealand to be heard. She said the regional level competition took place on March 20 during Race Relations Week in New Zealand. 'I was then selected for the national finals, which took place over two days - May 3 and 4. I competed against 21 other youth across New Zealand to advance to the national finals where six students made it through and from there I was crowned as the 2025 national champion.' She said the theme for 2025 was Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau - which is written in Maori - the native language of New Zealand and means The Great Ocean of Diversity. 'My speech involved the metaphor of 'I am the Ocean'. I portrayed humanity as the ocean because sometimes we can be so welcoming and calm, but at other times we could just 'drown others' out in hatred. This is the true state of racism in humanity, always contradicting and changing. 'In my speech, I spoke about tangible effective ways to help see increased cultural diversity within our school and communities. I also shared personal experiences about how racism labelled me as incompatible, but we all have a voice and a story that deserves to be heard. 'The main message of my speech was simply to ask questions about the cultures around you. I proposed the thought, about what if every single one of us took a minimum of just 8 minutes to change a life and listen to someone's story, what a difference we would see,' she said. In addition, Jordyn also received the Tohu Whetumatarau - the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. 'This is an award for the speaker that proposes a solution and vision for what the world would look like with increased cultural diversity. I received the award for the vision as my suggestions were tangible and would be easy to enforce and implement.' Jordyn added that the competition had taught her that through hard work and perseverance, God rewarded you. 'For me personally, this deepened my faith in God as it was only because of him and in his strength that I was able to achieve this. It taught me that I am stronger than I think and that every voice, no matter how small, has the power to create change.' She said while she had many dreams and aspirations, her main focus was to help create a real difference in her community. 'My next steps include working with organisations such as Race Unity and the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, by volunteering and contributing my service to make a change.' She added that she also intended on studying law and journalism. 'I want to form a career doing what I am passionate about, which is speaking and presenting, as well as contributing to make a change in the law field. I am being led wherever God wants to take me, so I am just following his lead. 'I also plan on starting my own organisation called #ItStartsWithMe, because the only way we will see improvement and change, is if we take the first step. The organisation will be a platform where we become the change we want to see in the world by taking the first step to creating a world that is more diverse." Jordyn added that racism and race relations were major issues. 'However, in order for it to change we don't need some huge revolutionary act. We just need little changes that will last life long. In my speech, I mentioned, '1 action, 1 move of acceptance, 1 simple gesture, 1 reaction of kindness; this is the action we need to take to see the change. 'The simple task of taking some time out of your day to just ask someone about their culture, we will be able to learn more together. This will ideally shape the way the upcoming generation thinks too. If we continuously stick to a mindset that says racism will never change, and there's nothing I can do about it, then others will do that too. But if we as individuals, challenge ourselves and take the first step, we will influence others to do the same." Vaneshree Pillay, her mother, said she and her husband, Pregasen, were overwhelmed by the opportunity given to their daughter. 'Jordyn has put her entire self into this competition. It was an exhilarating experience from day one as every child that participated was absolutely brilliant. We are proud of Jordyn and this achievement but we also remember that God has been in control of this situation. 'It was rather stressful for Jordyn and during this time, we were so grateful to my mum, Krishnee Nair, who was visiting us from South Africa. She was incredibly supportive and encouraged Jordyn that this competition was hers to win. She never doubted and true to her word, Jordyn received first place. We also encourage every young person out there, make your requests known to God, believe in yourself, be authentic and all will work out in God's divine time,' she said. THE POST
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. 'The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us.' Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoas true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. 'The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us.' Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Student's Rallying Call For Unity: ‘I'm Tired Of Discrimination'
The teenage winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards has used her platform to lay down a challenge to those in power. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Jordyn Joy Pillay, a Year 12 student at Ormiston Senior College in Auckland, won the title of national champion and the Tohu Whetumatarau – Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. The finals were hosted by Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae at Manukau Institute of Technology's Ōtara campus. Pillay was chosen as the winner over the weekend after competing with six female finalists. 'Diversity should be more than just a moment,' Pillay said. 'Diversity is everything… All of this, it means nothing if we cannot practise what we preach.' Rather than settling for cultural weeks and symbolic gestures, Pillay called for student voice panels in schools, co-designed curriculums that reflect Aotearoa's true diversity, and spaces where young people feel safe and heard. 'I am so sick and tired of the same discrimination that forced me, a new migrant just two years ago, to spend my lunchtime in the school toilet just to avoid the hateful comments.' Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Clare Akhmad served as master of ceremonies, guiding the audience through a morning of bold, solutions-driven speeches by rangatahi. Akhmad said the rangatahi had not simply delivered performances, but presented a roadmap for decision-makers. 'And what I saw was that the messages of the rangatahi, they really were resonating and so now I really hope that they are taken forward in real action,' she said. 'Too often our mokopuna don't have a say in the decisions that affect their daily lives,' she added. 'Local councils, schools and government agencies need to be creating pathways for youth to participate, even before they are eligible to vote.' She said platforms like the Race Unity Speech Awards help build that bridge. But the responsibility now sits with those in positions of power. Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Darby, NZ Police Deputy Chief Executive Jill Rogers and Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo were among those present. Dr Darby said race unity helped to strengthen democracy. "The broader the voices, the more diverse, and I guess the more opportunities we give and ensure that people have to have their voices heard, the better it is for all of us." Her comments echoed Pillay's message, that it was time to stop treating inclusion as a campaign and start treating it as everyday governance. Jessica Tupai, last year's Race Unity champion and now Youth MP for Wellington Central, said the competition helped her build the confidence to engage with government. However, many of her peers are still being left out. 'It's not that we don't care about politics. It's often that no one explains it in a way we can understand or access,' she said. 'Go to the schools. Talk with us, not at us.' She said Pacific and Māori youth are often burdened with leadership responsibilities within their own communities but are still overlooked in formal civic spaces. 'We are orators. We are storytellers. Sharing our voice is how we give back.' Minister Mark Mitchell also acknowledged the critiques and said the government was listening. 'Words are easy, but actions matter,' Mitchell said. He acknowledged the powerful ideas shared by finalists, including pitches for virtual reality education and more culturally inclusive teaching, and said they deserved serious consideration. Pillay ended her speech with a call for unity, not just in principle but in practice. 'I am the ocean. I am us. We are the ocean. Together we mean much. For my strength is not that of an individual, but rather that of the collective.'
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Indian origin student wins 2025 Race Unity Award
Jordyn Joy Pillay (middle) from Ormiston Senior College in Auckland has been named national champion of this year's Race Unity Speech Awards. Photo: Supplied A Year 12 student South African Indian origin from Ormiston Senior College in Auckland has been named national champion of the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards. "Being named as the national champion is a huge honour and this has been the biggest achievement in my life," Jordyn Joy Pillay said after the win. "It truly has topped everything I've done so far. Six students from across the country competed in the finals held last weekend at Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae in Otara. The awards are a platform for senior high school students nationwide to suggest ideas on how to improve race relations in New Zealand. Following a series of racially motivated attacks in 1997, the Baha'I community and Race Relations Office organised a rally celebrating unity in diversity. This led to the creation of Race Unity Day in 1999, now known as Race Relations Day, which falls on 21 March every year. The Race Unity Speech Awards are held in support of Race Relations Day, with the competition celebrating its 25th year. This year's theme was "The Great Ocean of Diversity", which "really pushed [me] to reflect deeply on how diversity is often spoken about but not always truly lived," Pillay said. "Crafting my speech made me realize that I'm not just speaking for myself, but for others who have felt unseen or unheard. "Taking part in the heats was emotional and empowering ... [it] reminded me that change starts with courage. "I'm fairly new in the country and this is the first time I have competed in a competition so huge." Pillay was also awarded the Tohu Whetumatarau - Ministry for Ethnic Communities Award for Vision. "My vision was to offer tangible and real solutions to make a difference. For example, I proposed a culturally inclusive curriculum, where every lesson weaves in different cultures and histories," Pillay said. Jordyn Joy Pillay and other award recipients at the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards. Photo: Supplied Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers, chief judge of the awards, said the competition provided a platform for young people to share their thoughts on important societal issues. Zara Oliyath, a Year 12 student from Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, who hails from Delhi in India, received the Tohu Ahurea Rau - Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity as well as the Tohu Auahatanga - Speech NZ Award for Delivery. "When I was a child in New Delhi, I remember reciting proverbs in class, including ones from my culture in Malayalam," Oliyath said. "One stayed with me: 'Naanathwathil ekathwam', which translates to, 'We have unity in diversity'. It speaks to the power of collective action, of unity built not on sameness but shared purpose." "It was incredibly empowering to meet so many amazing people [through the competition] who are passionate about improving race relations and creating a more inclusive Aotearoa. "It reminded me that I'm part of a wider movement for change, and that's been one of the most inspiring parts of this whole journey." Nick Moss, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand, thanked all six finalists, noting the quality of every speech was "extraordinary". "All the speeches aligned with the values we share - the unity of humankind," Moss said.
