A twilight ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide was held on 7 April 2009, at the Peace Gardens, beside the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, in Canberra. The program included the reading of testimonies of Rwandan genocide survivors, poems by local writers and a formal reading of the Secretary-General’s message.

The commemoration began with the master of ceremonies, a representative from Amnesty International Australia, introducing the Acting Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Canberra, who then read the Secretary-General’s message.

Miss Zarmina Nasir, an aid worker who had witnessed many atrocities, followed by reading a heart-rending testimony by Uyisenga, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Mr. Max Taranhike, a Zimbabwean poet based in Canberra, then read a poem he had composed in honour of the Rwandan genocide victims and survivors , a poem which focused on the violence perpetrated against women and children.

To conclude the ceremony, a poem of recovery and peace was read by Miss Cathy Ragless, the Director of Companion House, an organisation which provides services and support to adults and children who have sought refuge in Australia from persecution, torture and war related trauma. The poem came from a book of poems written by refugees and published by Companion House.

The ceremony was held by candlelight and conducted inside the pagoda within the park.  All readings were followed by cello recitals by Mr. David Pereira, one of Australia’s most accomplished cellists, the sounds of which echoed across the lake.

The commemoration was held to remind everyone that the victims of the Rwandan genocide still face many challenges today and it is hoped that the testimonies from survivors will teach the lessons of genocide in order to help prevent similar acts in the future.

The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, university students and members of the  multicultural community and Amnesty International. It was organised by UNIC Canberra in collaboration with Amnesty International and with support from the Mon Community in Canberra.

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Canberra held two events to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

On 25 March 2009, at an event organized in partnership with Amnesty International Australia, students from the University of Canberra’s International Relations Society read the Secretary-General’s statement for the day and drummed at noon for 20 minutes.  The drumming attracted many of the students at lunchtime who were keen to find out more about the international day. In addition, the "Breaking the Silence Beating the Drum" and the "Culture Project" videos were played. Pre-schoolers from the university infant school also came along and merrily beat their drumming sticks.
 
On 26 March 2009 students at the Australian National University held a drumming event and screened the “Breaking the Silence" and "Culture Project" videos. Many students engaged in conversation about human rights and expressed interest in becoming involved in more UNIC activities.

Breaking the Silence Beating the Drum on the United Nations Channel on YouTube

Addressing the "triple threats to development" was the central theme of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2009 report, launched at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Canberra on 26 March 2009.

After introductory remarks by the UNIC's National Information Officer, the Executive Director of the Australia South Asia Research Centre at the Australian National University officially launched the report.

During his address, the Executive Director gave an overview of the global financial crisis, the genesis of the food and fuel crisis, and an analysis of the state of the region’s economies. He then discussed ways in which the region’s economies can move in unison, from crisis resilience to crisis resistance.

The second part of the program involved a lively question and answer session that focused on carbon trading schemes and access to clean technologies, the synergies between overseas aid and the financial crisis, the huge human cost of climate change and the need for global fiscal packages to incorporate green policies and programs.

The launch was attended by representatives of the Diplomatic corps, Australian government departments and committees, civil society and the media.

On February 19 2009, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Canberra launched the 2008 International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Report. After introductory remarks from the UNIC Director, INCB board member Major Brian Watters launched the report.
 
Major Watters pointed out that over 95 percent of UN Member States are party to conventions that classify illicit drugs as well as provide mechanisms of drug control. This can be considered one of the twentieth century’s most important achievements in international cooperation, he said.

However, he stated that there was still much to be done.. He highlighted some of the major challenges to a successful international drug control system, among them nonexistent access to controlled medicines in over 150 countries, inconsistent implementation of cannabis control provisions and rogue Internet pharmacies which promote drug abuse among vulnerable groups, in particular youth.

The launch was attended by representatives of the Diplomatic corps, Australian government departments, civil society and the media.