Foreword

Voices of Australia: Education Module allows for the different stories of Australian people to be heard and celebrated in the classroom. It is designed to complement Voices of Australia, which was developed in recognition of 30 years of the Racial Discrimination Act (1975).

The stories in Voices of Australia remind us that Australia is a society of many diverse communities. While it is an ancient land, and home to the world’s oldest continuing culture, it is also a young and vibrant multicultural society with nearly a quarter of Australians born overseas, and another quarter having at least one parent who was born in another country.

The stories also remind us that within our diversity there are values that many of us share. One of these values is that racism and discrimination have no place in our communities. It is essential for all Australians to understand that equality before the law is not something that we should take for granted. In the current climate it is essential that shared values are discussed at all levels in our communities in order to minimise the potential for conflict. This is especially important in our classrooms.

The teaching and learning activities incorporated in the resource allow for students to share ideas about each other, to explore their own family history and experiences of diversity, discrimination, race relations, friendships and signs of respect. The resource is intended to help students understand the laws that frame the society we live in, and to appreciate how these laws have been, and continue to be developed, and furthermore, the impact that such laws have upon our lives.

While the activities are designed to help promote knowledge and understanding of human rights issues, it is important for all of us to remember that effective human rights education programs stem from how we teach as much as what we teach. The delivery of all education programs can vary according to the manner in which our classrooms, and indeed whole schools, respond to the issues of racial discrimination and the celebration of diversity.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions that the many dedicated teachers and students make, across Australia, towards a society that celebrates diversity and one that is free from discrimination of all forms.

Tom Calma
Race Discrimination Commissioner