History of the ANCA
The story of the Assyrian National Council - Australia Inc. (ANCA) is one woven deeply into the fabric of the Assyrian-Australian community. It emerged in 1972 with a clear purpose: to advance the cultural, economic, and political rights of the Assyrian people.​​
The ANCA serves as a vital platform for advocacy, facilitating awareness-raising activities, and engaging in dialogue with key policymakers. As it continues to chart its course into the future, the ANCA remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, ever dedicated to the cause it was born to champion.
Timeline
1971–1972
1970–2000
2000–Present
Formerly known as the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA), the organisation began as a result of the grassroots efforts of dedicated members within the Assyrian Australian Association (AAA). Initially, the seeds were sown when the AAA dispatched two representatives to Tehran, Iran— Mr. Youaw Toma Kanna and Mr. Baba David —charged with attending the third congress of the AUA held on October 23, 1971.
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Upon their return to Australia, their impassioned report to the AAA ignited a fervour for collective action. In a series of deliberations and gatherings, they laid the groundwork for the founding of the AUA on March 4, 1972.
From national and international forums to diplomatic engagements— the ANCA amplified the voices of the Assyrian people in both political and social spheres. In addition to these efforts, the ANCA also participated in high-level meetings in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2000 facilitated at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
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The objective of these meetings was to address the rights of Indigenous Assyrians, advocating for policies and international recognition that align with the community’s priorities. Through these initiatives, the ANCA actively represented the Assyrian nation, mobilising global support for their rights and interests.
On August 7, 2002, following advocacy by the ANCA, the NSW Council Association formally recognised the Assyrian Genocide. Thanks to ANCA’s continued efforts, Fairfield City Council approved a monument at Bonnyrigg Park on December 15, 2009, dedicated to honouring the victims of the genocide. This monument was later unveiled on August 7, 2010.
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On May 1, 2013, once more at the ANCA's behest, NSW Parliament unanimously acknowledged the Assyrian, Armenian, and Greek genocides, through a motion raised by Rev. The Hon. Fred Nile MLC, President of the Australian Christian Party.​ Recognising the vital role of youth as torchbearers of the Assyrian-Australian community, the ANCA founded its youth arm, The Young Assyrians (TYA) in 2010 to continue its mission.
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TYA serves as a dynamic platform for young people to connect, engage, and lead initiatives aimed at advancing the community's collective interests as well as to ensure the continuity and evolution of its parent organisation. On August 26, 2009, the ANCA established the Parliamentary Friends of Assyria in the state of NSW.
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This ground-breaking initiative was not only a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and mobilise support for the Assyrian cause but bridged the gap between the Assyrian-Australian community and policymakers, fostering collaboration, dialogue, and understanding. By cultivating such relationships, the ANCA ensured that the community’s voices are heard at the highest levels of government.
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In 2020, members of the AUA in Australia made the decision to sever ties with its Iranian counterpart in response to growing concerns of foreign interference. It was during this pivotal moment that the ANCA, as we know it today, emerged on March 11, 2021.