If you’ve ever imagined a world where peace reigned supreme, what would that look like?

It’s quite possible it could look like Cabramatta High School.

For the past 20 years, the school has commemorated Peace Day to honour the winner of the annual Sydney Peace Prize.

This year’s recipient was Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a distinguished judge and lifelong advocate for justice, who was the first non-white woman to be appointed to the High Court of South Africa by President Nelson Mandella.

But Judge Pillay is better known for her service as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008-2014 and also admired for her work as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

The Sydney Peace Foundation select and award the Peace Prize and Melanie Morrison, its Executive Director, is public school educated and a “proud” public education “advocate”.

“Cabramatta Peace Day is the best part of Peace Week,” she said. “As you walk through the crowds and see 55 different nationalities. It’s just such a beautiful reflection of what Australia is and how much better it can be as a whole society.

“As Alexander Matheou (Red Cross Regional director for the Asia Pacific) said when he visited the school - and I am paraphrasing – ‘I’ve been working in peace for 25 years and I should have come to Cabramatta High to see what peace really looks like’.”

Department of Education Executive Director Metropolitan South and West, Kay Rigas, said Cabramatta High School stood as a beacon for peace in public education.

“Here every language is spoken, every story shared, every culture presented and that strengthens this school as community,” she said.

The Peace Day guest of honour, Judge Navi Pillay, also was “truly impressed” with the social and cultural peace and harmony that seemed to reign at Cabramatta High.

Speaking at Cabramatta High’s Peace Day event Judge Pillay said it was her first experience of a school that respected equality and diversity.

“I make speeches all over the world talking about diversity and respect for one another, but I have never seen that demonstrated in real times by schoolchildren such as you.” Judge Pillay said. “It’s a kind of society that we all dream of.

“I have also not attended any celebration of Peace Day. Congratulations to you and whenever I speak in the future now, I’m going to talk about your celebration of peace.

“Why don’t other communities think how important that is, and it’s inculcated in your young minds. I assure you I’m going to tell the whole world about Cabramatta High School.”

Cabramatta High School Principal, Lachlan Erskine, said Peace Day was a very special day for Cabramatta High School.

“Not only do we get to host the winner of the Sydney Peace Prize, but we also celebrate multiculturalism, diversity and harmony,” Mr Erskine said.

“More than ever the role of the Sydney Peace Prize and the Sydney Peace Foundation to promote peace and honour and champion peace is so important.

“We live in a world where we increasingly see war, conflict and division and there are forces in the world that seek to divide us, and they encourage us to look at our differences rather than appreciate and value our common humanity.

“Today’s a day we celebrate, appreciate and value each other’s cultures. We find strength in harmony and be advocates for a better world. And we build on the accomplishments of those, just like Judge Navi Pillay, who have created a fairer and more just world.

“Today we have had the good fortune of listening to Judge Navi Pillay, to listen to her wisdom and advice. And for someone who has seen the worst of humanity, Judge Navi Pillay brings a message about the power of hope and the power of courage to strive for justice.”