International student report shows leadership
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, said today that the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and Universities Australia had exercised real leadership in committing to coordinate a series of policy workshops focusing on improving the safety, well being and experiences of international students in Australia.
Racism and the tertiary student experience in Australia, a report on the policy roundtable and workshop held in March 2010, and authored by Adam Graycar was released earlier this week.
“This report encourages us to look at the ways that we can reduce racially motivated crimes against international students, enhance their safety and well being and develop a reliable evidence base on which policy makers and university administrators can act,” said Commissioner Innes.
The report represents the views of experts from many fields, including economics, social science, criminology, statistics, higher education and race relations.
“Though the Australian Human Rights Commission worked collaboratively with the Academy of Social Sciences and Universities Australia on this roundtable, a cross-section of different views are represented in the report, which is important so that it represents a fuller picture of the issues from different perspectives and experiences,” Commissioner Innes said.
“Among other things, the report emphasises that we must examine the whole lifestyle of international students if we are to better understand their vulnerabilities, the risks and protective factors involved,” said Commissioner Innes. “We need to gather much better data about the international student population, including their income, expenses, employment, working conditions and accommodation options - we also need to better understand the differences between international student experiences in regional areas compared to major metropolitan areas.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has no national data on racially motivated crimes. Commissioner Innes said that this represents a major knowledge gap both in relation to international student safety and community safety overall.
The second phase of the roundtable will be held on Wednesday, 4 August in Sydney. It will bring experts, international student representatives and key decision-makers together to discuss practical, evidence-based strategies for the creation of quality learning environments, enhanced engagement with local communities and improved access to essential services.
The report is available on the Commission website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/publications/tertiary_students/
Media contacts: Brinsley Marlay – 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
