Shepparton Human Rights Youth Forum

16 March 2005

The Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria in conjunction with the City of Shepparton, the Ethnic Council, Cutting Edge Uniting Care and the Department of Education and Training will hold a human rights forum for Shepparton high school students on Monday 21 March.

Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria Chief Executive Dr Helen Szoke said the forum was an ideal opportunity for local students to learn more about human rights and express their own views about everyday human rights issues.

"Shepparton is one of the most multicultural regional areas in Victoria. 10.3% of its residents were born in overseas countries. It is thus crucial that cultural diversity be wholeheartedly embraced by the community and that the issue of racism is acknowledged and addressed."

"Young people often fall into the most vulnerable section of society and it is imperative that we encourage them to respect all human rights and give them the appropriate skills and knowledge to deal with all forms of discrimination. Making them aware of their basic rights is a good start."

"The forum aims to give participants an understanding of their human rights so that they can recognise when, and if, they are being breached. If students are taught how to recognise discrimination they are more likely to feel empowered to stand up for themselves as well their peers when it occurs."

"These students are the messengers for the future. It is imperative that they understand and respect all human rights."

The forum will be held as part of Cultural Diversity Week which runs from the 17th March until the 21st March.

Between 60-70 year 10 students from local high schools will partake in the event which has been organised to encourage greater participation by young people in the issue of human rights. The forum will have an interactive and creative style and aims to increase awareness of human rights among youth with a particular focus on combating racism.

Anne McCamish the Mayor of Shepparton, Paul Briggs of the Rumbalara Football Club and Dr Helen Szoke, CEO of the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria are to give presentations after which students will be split into small workshops and asked to produce a short performance piece expressing their own views on human rights.

Students will be encouraged to be as creative as they like in their performances and use rap, dance, song, poetry or a play to communicate their views on the issues discussed.

Cultural Diversity Week celebrates the United Nations International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination, commemorated annually on the 21st of March. On this day in 1960, police opened fire at a peaceful protest against the Apartheid Pass Laws in Sharpeville, South Africa. These laws required blacks to carry passbooks containing fingerprint and photographic identification, and controlled their movement and access to 'non-black' areas.

The forum will be a platform for future Equal Opportunity Commission initiatives in regional Victoria.

This event is to be held on Monday 21 March from 10am - 1pm at the Uniting Care Hall, Maude St, Shepparton. It is not open to the public.