DISCRIMINATION, RACISM | Schools – the primary setting for racism among young people says new report
A report prepared for the Melbourne-based Foundation for Young Australians by Deakin University's Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation has found that young people are experiencing racism in schools across Australia.
In all, 823 students from four states were surveyed for this major report, which found that more than 70% of students had experienced some form of racism. Students from migrant backgrounds reported the highest incidence of racism, and those who had been in Australia for the shortest time were more likely to experience racism.
Recommendations outlined in the report included "well-targeted professional development" as a matter of urgency for all school personnel interacting with students, and further research on migrant females in Years 11 and 12, who the report found were the most at-risk group in terms of the impact of racism. Importantly, the report recommended that structural and institutionalised racism should be targeted.
The Commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Dr Helen Szoke, said: 'The connection between experiences of discrimination and young people's wellbeing are well documented. For this reason school-based programs which promote diversity and educate young people about discrimination are important prevention strategies.'
The full report can be downloaded from: http://www.fya.org.au; a shorter, nine-page 'at-a-glance' report can also be downloaded from this site.
Source: Jon Myer, Foundation for Young Australians, email, 19 November 2009; FYA website: http://www.fya.org.au, viewed 20 November 2009.