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29th July 2024
The Centre for Western Sydney and The Challenging Racism Project at Western Sydney University, together with the Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF), have released a pivotal issues paper aimed at advancing anti-racism efforts in Western Sydney.
Western Sydney is one of Australia's most culturally diverse regions, with 40.9 per cent of Western Sydney residents being born overseas, 47.5 per cent speaking a language other than English at home, and almost 55,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
Leveraging critical insights from the Western Sydney Community Forum’s Anti-Racism Week and empirical data, the paper champions a strengths-based approach towards advancing an anti-racism framework in the region.
Report co-author Dr Rhonda Itaoui, Director of the Centre for Western Sydney, said in Western Sydney, we find ourselves at the heart of one of Australia's most culturally diverse regions. However, structural and systemic racism continues to act as a formidable barrier, obstructing the region from harnessing its full potential.
“Our latest issues paper underscores the need for a whole-of-region anti-racism framework for Western Sydney which fosters collaboration among businesses, communities, and government. By leveraging diversity, we can begin to address key inequities that we currently record in Western Sydney including education, income and health disparities that are closely tied with issues of systemic racism,” said Dr Itaoui.
The issues paper evaluates current initiatives, strengths and challenges in Western Sydney, proposing a whole-of-region framework to establish a common language and set of aspirations for anti-racism efforts. Key strategic recommendations include:
• Centering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices
• Recognising the unique opportunities and challenges in Western Sydney
• Addressing racism as a structural and systemic issue
• Implementing comprehensive anti-racism frameworks
• Utilising essential data for informed action
Billie Sankovic speaking at Anti-racism Week. Supplied: Western Sydney Community Forum
Dr Rhonda Itaoui speaking at Anti-racism Week. Supplied: Western Sydney Community Forum
Billie Sankovic, CEO of Western Sydney Community Forum, said the framework was a significant milestone in our journey toward adopting an anti-racism framework in Western Sydney.
“It is imperative that we address these challenges head-on, fostering a community that is inclusive, cohesive, and free from inequalities that impact people’s health, access to education, employment and services, and their overall quality of life,” said Ms Sankovic.
The issues paper aligns with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s recent Mapping government anti-racism programs and policies report, which advocates for a National Anti-Racism Framework and calls for all levels of government to show leadership in addressing systemic racism.
Building on this work, the Centre for Western Sydney in partnership with Western Sydney University’s Office of Engagement and Advancement, will host the inaugural Strengthening Social Cohesion Conference later this year. This event will bring together representatives from community, government and industry across the nation to explore solutions to the unprecedented challenges currently facing Australia.
Download the issues paper, Advancing Anti-Racism in Western Sydney: Towards A Regional Anti-Racism Framework.
