University of Sydney supports Human Rights Commission campaign

The University of Sydney renewed its pledge to support the Human Rights Commission’s “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign, which is designed to encourage Australians to reflect on their own role in countering racism.

Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner and university alumnus, Tim Soutphommasane, spoke at an event held on campus last week to celebrate the university’s commitment to the campaign and to promote respect and tolerance on campus.
The Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said the university was committed to strengthening inclusion and celebrating diversity.
“The University of Sydney values and respects the social, cultural and linguistic diversity of our academic and student community,” Dr Spence said.
“Our campuses reflect Australia’s vibrant multicultural communities, with students from more than 134 different countries studying at the university.”
Dr Spence said the university’s support of the Human Rights Commission’s “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign was part of a suite of initiatives to strengthen access and equity policies at the university.
“Racism damages individuals and communities and it is important that we join with others to take a stand against it,” Dr Spence said.
“At the University of Sydney our shared purpose is to support researchers and students from all different backgrounds to thrive and realise their full potential. This binding purpose is clearly enshrined in the university’s Strategic Plan 2011–15 and is a guiding goal of our institution.”
The University of Sydney has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting inclusion and is working to improve the representation of equity groups across the university’s professional and academic positions.
“A strong equity and diversity policy is critical to ensure the university is globally competitive and in a strategic position to leverage the benefits of our diversity,” Dr Spence said.
“As an institution we must continue to focus on how we as a community can continue to promote inclusion.”

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