A Fairer World :: Youth

Cultural Diversity

Make A Difference - Links - Did You Know?
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"An estimated 214 million people currently live outside their country of origin, many having moved for a variety of reasons in which the search for protection and the search for opportunity are inextricably entwined...While for some migration is a positive and empowering experience, far too many migrants have to endure human rights violations, discrimination, and exploitation...Yet, migrants contribute to economic growth and human development in both home and host countries and enrich societies through cultural diversity, fostering understanding and respect among peoples, cultures and societies."

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Recommended sites

Oxfam Australia: “It is important to know that refugees and internally displaced people have rights:

  • The right to humanitarian assistance
  • The right to protection from abuse
  • The right to seek asylum ”

The UN Refugee Agency: “The practice of granting asylum to people fleeing persecution in foreign lands is one of the earliest hallmarks of civilization. References to it have been found in texts written 3,500 years ago.”

Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission: “Human rights are about recognising and respecting the inherent value and dignity of all people.”

Find out the latest Australian news on immigration, asylum seekers and refugees.

Racism, No Way!: “Racism is destructive. It disempowers people by devaluing their identity. It destroys community cohesion and creates divisions in society. It is the opposite of the democratic principle of equality and the right of all people to be treated fairly.”

Taking It Global: “Almost every country, in every continent, is affected by the global refugee crisis...This is an emergency that demands solutions from the international community.”

Australian Human Rights Commission: “All people in Australia – no matter what their national, cultural or religious background – have a right to feel safe, respected and part of the community in which they live.”

Taking IT Global: “Almost 900 million people belong to groups that experienced prejudice as a result of their ethnicity, with 359 million facing restrictions on their religion. Around the world, some 334 million people face discrimination because of their language.”

Global Education: “Imagine being so scared of being killed, tortured or victimised that you would leave your home, all your possessions and connections with your community, for an uncertain future. Fear drives people to leave with only a few belongings on a journey which is full of uncertainty. Will it be safe? Will they be able to return?”

Refugee Council of Australia: “There is a lot of confusion about refugees: not just about who they are but also about the impact they have on Australian life. Here are just some of the myths:
[MYTH] Charity begins at home: we should help Aborigines and other disadvantaged groups in Australia first!
"Charity" is not something that should be considered in terms ‘us’ and ‘them’. If we are being responsible members of the human community we should seek ways to assist all those in need.”

Bullying. No Way!: “Racism is violent; it reduces people’s life chances, and it is based on hurting someone else... racist behaviour... includes racist name calling, excluding people from groups, racist graffiti, books with a cultural bias and deliberately using language to exclude people of other cultures.”

Did You Know?

  • The latest figures available show that the number of refugees of concern to UNHCR stood at 10.4 million refugees at the beginning of 2011, down slightly from a year earlier... The refugees of concern to UNHCR are spread around the world, with more than half in Asia and 20 percent in Africa. They live in widely varying conditions, from well–established camps and collective centres to makeshift shelters or living in the open. www
  • Each year Australia takes about 13,000 refugees. www
  • Of the 827,000 people who sought asylum globally in 2008 only 4,750 came to Australia. www
  • In 2006:
    • approximately 22% of Australia’s population stated that they were born overseas.
    • there were 8 048 204 Australians who stated that one or both parents were born overseas (40% of the total population).
    • 15.8% of Australians spoke a language other than English in their homes.
    www
  • The top five refugee hosting countries are: Pakistan (1 million), Iran (968,000), United States (843,000) Syria (702,000) and Germany (605,000).www

These sites have ideas on how to make a difference.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTAR): "Do something positive in your school."

Refugees International: "Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises."

Australian Harmony Day: "Since Harmony Day began twelve years ago, thousands of schools, community groups and organisations across Australia have hosted Harmony Day events."

Refugee Council of Australia: "Read our Advocacy Help Kit online for everything you need to know about advocating for refugees and asylum seekers."

Bullying. No Way!: "We can cancel out racism if we agree not to accept racist behaviour. Work towards creating a space where all cultures and languages are valued equally."

Office of the Anti–Discrimination Commissioner: "Envisions a Tasmanian community which recognises that all people are entitled to respect, dignity and appreciation for their contributions and themselves and where all are accepted for their diverse abilities and strengths."

Teacher resources