Throughout 2001 HREOC conducted a series of consultations with members of civil society on the subject of racism. The meetings, held in capital cities, rural and regional towns and remote communities across the States and Territories of Australia, included:
The consultations presented Australians with an opportunity to openly discuss racial discrimination in the lead up to the World Conference Against Racism in South Africa, 2001. The consultations were also a forum to develop strategies to address racism in Australia.
"I want respect and equality" A Summary of Consultations with Civil Society on Racism in Australia
This publication summarises the outcomes of national consultations on racism conducted across Australia in 2001. The information provided to the Commission in public meetings, written submissions and focus groups suggests that racism is a serious problem that continues to affect many people in Australian society. There was a high degree of consensus on 29 recommendations.
Combating Racism in Australia
To stimulate discussion among participants in the national consultations, HREOC released Combating racism in Australia. This discussion paper outlines the five themes of the WCAR and poses a series of questions designed to stimulate debate on the nature and experience of racial discrimination and strategies to address racism.
Combating racism in Australia was distributed through the regional consultations and in mail-outs to parliamentarians, NGOs and interested individuals. The paper was also made available electronically through the HREOC website.
Submissions
HREOC invited the public to respond to issues raised in Combating racism in Australia. Submissions could be made in writing or by email. Extracts from the submissions were reproduced on the HREOC website in a moderated bulletin board to stimulate discussion on the themes of the WCAR.
