Community groups receive $30,000 funding for human rights projects

10/01/2008

Community groups from around Victoria have received $5,000 in funding each from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s Community Grants Project.

The grants have gone to the Mental Health Legal Centre, the Yarraville Community Centre, Vibewire, SCOPE St Albans, the Eastern Community Legal Centre and Diversitat for human rights projects.

The grants will be used for projects as varied as an interactive drama piece to be presented at community festivals, a forum about human rights for people with a psychiatric disability and a competition aimed at young people encouraging creative responses to human rights issues.

The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities came into effect fully in Victoria on the 1st of January 2008.

The Charter is an agreed set of democratic rights and freedoms protected by law that ensures all members of the community are treated fairly. Under the Charter, State and local government are now compelled to take human rights into account when developing policies and legislation and delivering services.

One of the key new roles of the Commission under the Charter is to inform and educate Victorians about their human rights and responsibilities.

The purpose of the grants program is to support community organisations to educate about human rights, and to promote awareness of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. The Commission received 65 applications for funding. Funds have been granted to six successful applicants for innovative and valuable projects.

Commission chief executive, Dr Helen Szoke, said the grants program was a way to raise awareness of human rights within the community.

“Victoria has a new Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities but not enough people are aware of it,” she said. “We have awarded these grants to outstanding applicants so that they can pass on knowledge and awareness of human rights to their communities.”

Media contact: Ian Row, 92817138 or 0408126396