Commission welcomes Action Plan for international education, but greater focus needed on students’ rights and safety

21/09/2009

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission today welcomed the release of the Victorian government action plan to assist the international education industry’s support for international students.

Thinking Global: Victoria’s Action Plan for International Education is a $14 million package, which includes support for international research scholarship program, strengthening the relationship and marketing efforts in selected countries, auditing of service providers, a website and buddy system.

“Recent violent attacks on students have highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained approach to addressing and dismantling racism and all forms of discrimination,” said Dr Szoke.

“We see systemic discrimination in the way oversees students are exploited in seeking employment and accommodation. For example, students experience discrimination when applying for rental properties, are unable to access acceptable, affordable share-housing and public transport, and are open to abuse by unscrupulous education providers and landlords.”

“In order to prevent discrimination and other human rights breaches from occurring in the first place, employers, service providers, landlords and agents require targeted education, backed up by enforcement,” said Dr Szoke.

“Not only does discrimination devalue student’s rights as human beings, it is against the law,” she said. “Everyone agrees this is wrong but only an effective and responsive partnership between Government, Victoria Police, the education sector, and the wider community can bring about real and lasting change and safeguard international students from discrimination and violence.”

“The government’s action plan makes a significant step to improving the quality of education services for international students, however, we must also focus on better protection of students’ human rights and safety, and help them to assert their rights under Victorian law,” said Dr Szoke. “We need to raise students’ awareness of their rights and confidence to seek help or make a complaint.”

The Commission believes that for solutions to work, and in order to ensure the right to participate in public life, students should be directly involved in the design and implementation of the action plan.

Dr Helen Szoke is available for interview.

Media contact: Janeen Lynch 0419 33 77 34