Social Inclusion conference brings universities together with communities

“Social Inclusion means many things - but to everyday Australians it's about the things that matter,” says conference convenor, Professor Andrew Jakubowicz.

“How will the new climate change regime affect human rights? What will happen after ‘Sorry’ for Indigenous Australians? How does the workplace affect human rights? What is it like being a young Muslim woman in Australia's schools and workplaces? What happens if we think of housing as a human right? What does it mean to be an active citizen? How does racism affect people in different communities? “These are just some of the questions we will discuss at the conference.”

Sixty years ago the United Nations adopted the Universal Charter of Human Rights. Since then the international community has expanded our understanding of human rights to cover economic, social, political, cultural and educational rights, and yet, there is still no federal bill specifically for the protection of human rights in Australia.

This conference brings together leading researchers, analysts, and practitioners from universities, government, and the non-government sector to explore, debate and plan for a more socially inclusive future. It is a perfect opportunity to engage with contemporary research and policy insights in fields directly relevant to your priorities, including:

......and many more.

Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector says,“Key to our approach is looking at how we can put people back at the centre of service delivery – so that we can remove the barriers that prevent some Australians from participating and engaging in their communities. In doing so, we understand the connection between economic and social policy, and how they are complementary in ensuring we have an engaging and vibrant civil society. I look forward to hearing the conference outcomes and continuing a broader dialogue on these important issues in the context of the Australian Government's social inclusion agenda.”

The 4Rs conference, opened by NSW Governor Marie Bashir, involves leading civil rights advocates Patrick Dodson, Robert Manne, Susan Ryan, Sev Ozdowski and Tom Calma. It foregrounds research on racism, cultural diversity, sexualities, climate change, citizenship and Indigenous futures.

Key international speakers include Saskia Sassen from the USA and Tariq Mohood from the UK. Australian speakers include Andrew Marcus, Hurriyet Babacan, Tracy Taylor, Greg Noble, Kevin Dunn, Jock Collins, Jenny Onyx, Marion Maddox, Lucy Taksa, Peter Kriesler and John Nevile.

Government and NGO speakers from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Centre for Policy Development, State equal opportunity commissions, the NSW Community Relations Commission, the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Reconciliation Australia, Diversity Health Institute and teachers, curriculum developers and students from across the NSW education system - state, catholic and independent will attend. Key conference partners include Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

Highlights include: a public discussion on the Northern Territory Intervention, supported by Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR). Award-winning international writer and story teller, Arnold Zable will entertain guests at the Conference dinner. And Casula Power House will showcase the work of four leading contemporary Australian artists exploring the 4Rs themes.