The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) is looking for feedback on an upcoming project on preventing racism and intercommunity conflict.
The ACELG has been appointed by the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop an online resource to assist local government as part of the National Anti-Racism Strategy.
The online resource will use evidence-based research, draw on best practice examples in Australia and overseas and provide practical tools and advice to strengthen social cohesion in diverse communities.
To produce this resource, the ACELG is looking to consult with a number of local governments on their implemented strategies, policies and programs to build social cohesion and respond to racism.
Councils who have adopted any internal strategies for cultural diversity in the workplace, partnered with other organisations to strengthen relationships between communities, worked to understand a community’s attitudes to different cultures are also being sought for feedback.
The ACELG is also keen to hear about projects that didn’t work, why they didn’t work, and the lessons learnt along the way.
The National Anti-Racism Strategy was launched in August 2012.
The Australian Human Rights Commission is leading the implementation of the Strategy, and its aim is to promote a clear understanding in the Australian community of what racism is and how it can be prevented and reduced.
The Strategy focuses on public awareness, education resources and youth engagement. It is underpinned by research, consultation and evaluation.
A key initiative of the Strategy is the ‘Racism. It Stops with Me’ campaign which currently has close to 300 organisational supporters.
Under the Anti-Racism Strategy, the Australian Human Rights Commission, has prioritised the development of a practical resource to support local governments respond to racism and strengthen social cohesion in their communities.
Research on international best practice in preventing racial discrimination highlights the importance of effective interventions at the community level.
The online resource will use evidence-based research, draw on best practice examples in Australia and overseas and provide practical tools and advice to strengthen social cohesion in diverse communities.
The resource will be available on the ACELG website from July 2015.
If you have information you’d like to share, please contact the ACELG on: social.cohesion@acelg.org.au
