Anti-racism Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2019 6 8 15 word

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Building Respect: Whittlesea’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2015-2019

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

The City of Whittlesea recognises the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Willum Clan as the traditional owners of this place.

Diversity has been part of the Australian landscape since before colonisation, when distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations spoke around 700 different languages. The histories, cultures, values, beliefs, languages, lifestyles and roles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people both past and present provide a central tenet to modern diversity. It is important that this is acknowledged and that full recognition is given to the fact that modern cultural diversity and multiculturalism operates within the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.

Glossary of terms

Aboriginal – referring to Victoria’s original inhabitants and custodians. Elsewhere, the terms ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ may be used to describe Australia’s first people.

Anti-racism – a thought and/or practice that seeks to confront, and or eradicate and/or ameliorate racism.

Culture – distinctive patterns of values, beliefs and ways–of–life of a group of people that may share ethnicity, race, gender or other characteristics. It is a dynamic concept that is influenced by environmental, historical, political, geographical, linguistic, spiritual and social factors.

Ethnicity – describing a social group whose members share a sense of common origins, claim common and distinctive history and destiny, possess one or more dimensions of collective individuality and feel a sense of unique collective individuality. ii

Health – a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Mental health – is the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual well–being. It provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals, and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just.

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– is the embodiment of social, emotional and spiritual well–being. It provides individuals with the vitality necessary for active living, to achieve goals, and to interact with one another in ways that are respectful and just.

Multiculturalism – is used to mean a public policy approach that respects and values the diversity of ethnicities, cultures and faiths within a society and encourages and enables their ongoing contribution within an inclusive context that empowers all members of the society.

Racism – behaviours, practices, beliefs and prejudices that underlie avoidable and unfair inequalities across groups in society based on race, ethnicity, culture or religion. Racism can be: ii

Internalised — when a person incorporates racist attitudes, beliefs or ideologies into their view of the world

Interpersonal — during interactions between individuals, eg. bullying, harassment, rudeness, being ignored or excluded

Systemic — when systems, institutions and cultures operate to produce inequalities in the control of, and access to, resources in a society.

A message from the Mayor

Welcome to Building Respect: Whittlesea’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2015–2019.

Whittlesea is one of the fastest growing and most culturally–diverse municipalities in Australia. It is important that our residents can live, play, work, prosper and belong in a safe community that respects difference and diversity. Our residents come from more than 140 countries, and almost half of our community speaks a language other than English at home. This cultural diversity is a valuable part of our community identity, and provides a range of invaluable economic and social contributions.

We also know that disadvantage and discrimination have very negative effects on people and their ability to fully participate in workplaces and communities. At the City of Whittlesea we understand that a community in which all members can participate makes a stronger community for everyone.

This is why we are proud to have developed Building Respect: Whittlesea Anti-Racism Strategy 2015–2019. The Strategy is a continuation of our previous commitments to creating vibrant communities that value cultural diversity.

The Strategy articulates a number of actions that we will deliver over the next four years to continue Council’s strong record of inclusiveness and equity. These actions have been developed as a direct result of consultation with the local community, key agencies, Council staff and service providers.

Our Strategy will ensure we are making every effort to reduce racism and therefore reduce its negative effects at the individual, organisational and community levels and begin to deliver positive benefits for people and communities. We are committing to taking action to prevent racism within Council, enhance positive attitudes towards our intercultural and interfaith communities and create safe spaces and places for intercultural contact and dialogue. We will also report against our commitments ensuring we are truly a Council that leads the…

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