Online resource to support local government prevent and respond to racism and inter-community conflict

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Human Rights Commission

Start year: 2014

Summary: Whilst there are a range of guides for local governments about anti-discrimination these are not specific or comprehensive enough in making the link between racism, intercommunity conflict and building social cohesion. In addition, the extent to which these are successfully implemented and evaluated is unknown. This project involved the development of an evidence-based online resource for local government as part of the National Anti-Racism Strategy, drawing on examples in Australia and overseas. The methodology included a detailed desktop review of existing tools and best practice; a Reference Group workshop with local governments from around Australia and multicultural/indigenous peak bodies; the development of an online resource; and a communications strategy to launch the resource in each state and territory. The online resource focused on: the effective prevention of, and responses to, racism and inter-community conflict; partnerships and community governance models; and youth engagement and leadership. The project also included the development of an evaluation framework to measure how capacity was built within local government to build social cohesion, engage with diverse communities and develop positive working relationships between a range of stakeholders and the communities in which they operate.

Publications:

Hunting, SA Australian Human Rights Commission 2015, Building social cohesion in our communities - An online resource for local government.

FOR Codes: Human Rights and Justice Issues, Ethnicity, Multiculturalism and Migrant Development and Welfare, Human rights and justice issues (excl. law), Migrant and refugee settlement services, Multicultural services