Closing the Gap, Eliminating Racial Discrimination and the ‘Harmony Day’ debate: Recognising March 21

March 21st marks the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – a day for solidarity against racism and discrimination. Since 1999, this date has been known in Australia, somewhat controversially, as Harmony Day – a renaming seen by some as a whitewash celebrating cultural and racial diversity rather than recognizing discrimination. This year, Close the Gap Day, (launched 2005) raising awareness of health, education and employment inequalities experienced by First Nations Peoples in Australia, coincides with March 21st, providing an opportunity for reflection on discrimination and its effects across a range of diversities.

All staff and students are warmly invited to a lunchtime discussion about this significant date, organised by the Working Group from Curtin’s CALD Reference Group (Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee).

Event Title: Closing the Gap, Eliminating Racial Discrimination, and the Harmony Day debate: recognising March 21

Day/Date: Thursday, 21 March 2024

Time: 12.30 – 2.00 pm (lunch provided; panel discussion begins at 12.45, please arrive early)

Venue: TL Robertson Library, The Lantern

Panel Facilitator: Prof Anthony Langlois.                                                 

Panel: 

Mr Fred Yasso – Director, Centre for Aboriginal Studies

Ms Carmel Penny– Senior Advisor (Aboriginal Employment) Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: People & Culture

Prof Shamit Saggar CBE, Director, National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), and former UK government advisor on multiculturalism and social cohesion

Dr Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes – Senior Lecturer, Centre for Human Rights Education

Prof Vincent Lee – Deputy PVC, Curtin Miri Campus

Prof Anthony Langlois – Stan Perron Dean of Applied Ethics

Prof Farida Fozdar – Sociology, Dean, Global Futures (Humanities), Chair (CaLD Reference Group)

Bustanul Arifin, Guild Postgraduate President

In recognition of the global reach of these issues and Curtin’s unique global campuses, a live stream will be provided, and we will have representation on the panel, including the DPVC of our Miri campus. Livestream link will be emailed to non-Bentley campus registrants.