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Congress Opens with Powerful cultural Performances and Inspiring Messages
Table of Contents
Delegates from across the world filled the hall with anticipation and pride as the Congress began with a Welcome to Country, honouring the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Customary Owners of the land on which the Congress takes place.The opening paid respect to Elders past and present and was followed by an unusual Aboriginal performance of traditional song, dance and didgeridoo.
The deep resonance of the didgeridoo and the dancers’ powerful movements filled the room with emotion. Performers shared stories of how the instrument works and the different sounds it creates, echoing through the hall like the heartbeat of the land itself.
The welcome was followed by a sharing of Māori culture from Aotearoa/New Zealand, with a stirring sequence of Kaigaranga, Mihi, Waiata and Haka that embodied the values of respect, courage and solidarity. Together, these performances reminded everyone that our movement stands on the shared ground of history, struggle and humanity.
Stories on Fabric: the Congress T-shirt
Every delegate at the Congress carried a piece of that connection with them, quite literally, through the Congress T-shirt.
Coal miner and artist Chris Dodd from Queensland created Connection, the painting reproduced on the shirts given to all delegates. Chris belongs to the Wulli Wulli Wakka wakka tribe and his artwork tells the rich stories passed down to him by his father and grandparents. Importantly, it also represents the bond between him and his daughter, who helped create the piece.
A gift to all Congress participants, Connection symbolizes the links between generations, communities and cultures. Chris hopes that those who wear or view the artwork “can see the storyline, understand the meaning of the symbols and places and leave with pride and a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture.”
Words that Inspire Action
industriall and IF Metall president Marie Nilsson officially opened the Congress, setting the tone for the days ahead:
“We live in a time of rapid change; emerging technologies, democratic rights being questioned, authoritarian forces challenging freedom and climate change posing a threat. But when I look out over the congress hall, I feel hopeful. I see our joint strength to face these challenges, I see power, solidarity.I see a global trade union movement refusing to accept injustice. We are determined to build a more lasting future, mirrored in the Congress slogan, Organizing for a Just Future.
Let’s make this Congress a celebration of solidarity, equality and bravery!”
The sense of unity in the room grew as Michele O’Neil, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, took the stage:
“We certainly no that there’s only one response to organized capital and that is organized labor. Now more than ever, international solidarity is essential.When we act with unity and determination, when we leave nobody behind, we show the power of organized labour.”
Representing the host unions, Tony Maher, general president of the Mining and Energy Union, brought warmth and pride from Australia’s labour movement:
