Mandy Wells, Multicultural Officer/Organiser
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — 21 March — is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness about racism and discrimination, as well as to learn about how we can eliminate it from our schools and TAFE campuses.
Racism remains an ongoing barrier to social cohesion and continues to threaten peace in our world. It undermines the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enables injustice, inequity and systemic discrimination to occur.
March 21 was dedicated as an international day by the United Nations in 1965, when the global community adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This important action marked a giant step in the international community’s efforts to take collective action for the eradication of racism. Today, we use the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to focus on connection and intercultural understanding, as well as to embrace diversity, promote equality and educate for a fairer, more just world, one that is free from all forms of racism and discrimination.
Throughout history, and as witnessed in recent world and local events, divisive rhetoric and hate speech, coupled with disinformation and the weaponisation of mass media, has seen an increase in discrimination and alienation, leading to intolerance, social instability, conflict and violence.
Stand up, speak out and support each other
Federation rejects racism and urges all members to take the collective action required to create the change we need.
Everyone can — and should — stand up, speak out and support each other in the important work of eliminating racism and discrimination from our schools, workplaces and communities. To further this objective, schools and TAFE are encouraged to plan activities that celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and educate for peace.
By defending quality education and protecting our comprehensive curriculum, we can facilitate the development of critical thinking skills and intercultural understanding. By dismantling myths and countering mistruths and disinformation, we can empower our young people to call out racist behaviours, support those being targeted and develop the positive behaviours that will shape a better world.
Everyone can make a positive difference.
Take the lead and reject hate, racism and discrimination!
Practical resources and teaching/learning programs
Here are links to a variety of practical resources and teaching/learning programs:
- United Against Racism
- Towards a World Without Racism — 60 Years of the Convention
Links to help plan units of work
These links will assist schools and TAFE teachers to plan units of work that focus on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March) and Harmony Week (17-23 March):
- Racism. No Way! — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- NSW Government (Education) — Planning Harmony Week
- NSW Government (Education) — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination