News Archive

Intolerance floated away from the Crawley campus when about 100 helium-filled orange balloons were released on the Oak Lawn recently.

They were all printed with the words: Racism. It Stops With Me, the slogan for a national Human Rights campaign.

The University has backed the campaign aimed at eliminating racism, featuring the Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson holding a sign with the same words on the UWA web page.

UWA has a long-standing commitment to equity and diversity on campus and strives to provide an environment where diversity is genuinely valued and equity is embedded into the core business of every working area.

The Federal Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Szoke, invited a few key institutions that have done meaningful race work to put the message on their websites.

The campaign provides an opportunity for UWA to demonstrate its support for the national anti-racism initiative and showcase the great work being done on campus to promote and develop cultural competence in all areas of university life. Indeed, UWA was invited by the Commission to participate in the campaign because of its nationally recognised on-campus initiatives.

“Our campaign invites all Australians to reflect on what they can do to counter racism, wherever it happens,” Dr Szoke said.

“Research shows us that workplaces are places where racial discrimination occurs, as well as where change can be encouraged and supported. Workplaces are a common and natural environment for contact between people from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. Employers can therefore play an important role in modelling sound practices.

“The reality is that the demographic composition of the workforce is changing. It makes good business sense to be proactive in harnessing diversity — for productivity, market share, innovation and improved employee relations.”

UWA seeks to widen access for students and staff through a range of programs including the high school programs Aspire and Fairway; Courageous Conversations about Race; Indigenous Dialogues; Student Services programs LACE (Language And Cultural Exchange), Inclusivity Training and the Uni Mentor Program; Connect Me (for new international students); the School of Indigenous Studies; and dedicated faculty-based programs.

By recognising that status plays a part in University access and opportunities, UWA reaches across cultural and social barriers to promote an inclusive campus culture to all members of the University community .

Look out for opportunities to get involved in the anti-racism campaign or be proactive and call the Equity and Diversity Office on 6488 3873.

Published in UWA News , 17 September 2012