UNSW has launched four new Anti-Racism Grants and inclusion training to mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination .
Applications are open now for four new Anti-Racism Grants up to the value of $2500 each to enable students and staff at UNSW to celebrate diversity and continue to improve our culture by bringing their ideas, events and activations to tackle racial discrimination to life. Applications for the grants close on Friday 12 April 2024.
Find out more about the Anti-Racism Grants and apply,
UNSW is committed to providing an environment that is free from racial discrimination, harassment and vilification. This includes preventing and responding to racism in all its forms and creating safe working and learning environments that support our diverse community through inclusive principles and practice.
We encourage every member of the UNSW community to work with us to combat racism, embrace diversity and display respect in all our interactions with each other as we mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) on Thursday 21 March.
IDERD
IDERD, sometimes known as Harmony Day in Australia, marks the tragic day in 1960 when police in South Africa opened fire at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid, killing 69 people and wounding 180 more.
In 1999, the Australian Government created Harmony Day as a celebration of multiculturalism under the banner “everyone belongs”. While the message of harmony is a positive one, Harmony Day, which coincides with IDERD, has been criticised for not acknowledging its roots and sweeping racism under the carpet.
Although many believe Australia to be a fundamentally harmonious society, we must also recognise the work that needs to be done to eliminate racism here and around the world.
IDERD is a time to come together and meaningfully acknowledge the impact of racism, past and present, and continue to challenge racist policies, practices, culture and ideas.
Find out more about the history of IDERD and Harmony Day on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s “Racism, it stops with me” IDERD fact sheet.
Cultural Inclusion@UNSW training
UNSW is a vibrant, multicultural campus with students and staff from more than 120 different nationalities who each bring their own experiences, perspectives and practices to our community. These introductory workshops build capacity to adjust behaviours and challenge harmful stereotypes with practical guidance.
- Thursday 21 March (in person)
- Tuesday 18 June (in person)
- Tuesday 8 October (online)
Culturally Inclusive Calendar
The Culturally Inclusive Calendar is a resource to support the UNSW community when planning and scheduling events and meetings. It highlights key religious and cultural dates in Australia that we encourage our Schools and Departments to consider as an inclusion practice when planning the academic year.
UNSW has a range of systems in place that support our community, including the free Employee Assistance Program and the UNSW Complaints Portal.
Find out more about anti-racism and how you can contribute to a culturally inclusive environment at UNSW.
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