Don’t Let Fear Descend to Racism: Forum to Discuss the Path to Social Cohesion in Times of Crisis
As the world braces in fear of the spread of the novel coronavirus, multidisciplinary experts are preparing to gather at Western Sydney University to discuss the importance of maintaining harmony in times of crisis.
The 3rd Advancing Community Cohesion Conference (ACCC) will be held at the University’s Parramatta City Campus from 10-13 February 2020.
The ACCC 2020 Conference is looking to be an exciting conference with 91 presentations, 8 workshops and approximately 200 delegates expected to participate.
Notable speakers representing both government and academia will include:
• Mr Michael Pezzullo, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, Canberra
• Mr Chin Tan, Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner
• Professor Pru Goward, Western Sydney University
• Dr Anne Aly MP, Member for Cowan, Western Australia
• Professor Andrew Marcus, Monash University
• Prof. Peter Shergold AC
• Mr David Manne, Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre, Melbourne
• Mr Andrew Giles MP, Member for Scullin, Victoria
• and many other prominent international and domestic speakers.
I was prompted to convene the national forum in 2019, following the massacres in Christchurch and Sri Lanka. Its original intent of the conference was to bring together delegates to discuss the benefits of migration and multiculturalism in Australia, and to identify the elements of well-functioning, cohesive communities.
However, following the events of recent weeks, I would expect that the tenor of the conference will change – to one that condemns the emerging racism and xenophobia that has been directed at the Chinese community in Australia.
In the first month of 2020, we have seen examples of how a community’s response to crisis can vastly differ. During the bushfires, we saw members of the Sikh community praised for providing free food for bushfire victims in Victoria. It was a heartening example of Australians from all walks of life coming together to help and support each other.
Less than a month later, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has led communities to start turning their backs on each other. Influenced by fear and mistrust, we are seeing the Chinese community taunted, teased and ridiculed.
At ACCC 2020, delegates will discuss the ‘Way Forward’ from the novel coronavirus, including strategies for promoting Australia’s cultural, linguistic and faith diversity and responding to the growing threat of racism and xenophobia.
View the full program and register online at: www.advancingcommunitycohesionconference.com.au/