Enter the Race Discrimination Commissioner Student Prize

Race Discrimination Commissioner Student Prize

It has been a huge few months for race issues in Australia. Engaging students in research and discussion about racism in Australia has never been more important.

The Race Discrimination Commissioner’s Student Prize is an inaugural annual competition for school students aimed to promote research and discussion of racism among young people. This is a great opportunity for students to get engaged in thinking about the impacts of racism, and identifying both challenges and solutions.

The competition is open to students in Years 10 and 11 in an Australian school.

For more information, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

Entries close on 17 September 2016.

What do entrants need to do?

Entrants may write an essay (maximum 1,000 words) or record a video or audio speech (video or audio maximum 7 minutes) that answers one of the following questions:

  1. What role should the law play in Australian society’s response to racism?
  2. Ignorance is the root of racism. Discuss.
  3. What challenges does racism pose to Australian society today?

Prize and judging

The winning student will be awarded a book voucher from Dymocks worth $150.
Their work will also be featured in the Commissioner’s monthly newsletter.
The winning student’s school will be awarded a book voucher from Dymocks worth $500.

The best entry will be selected by the Race Discrimination Commissioner. The winner will be awarded their prize at the Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture in Sydney on 22 October 2016. Kep Enderby was Australia’s Attorney General when Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act was introduced in 1975.

If the winning student lives outside of NSW or in regional NSW, the Australian Human Rights Commission will fund their airfare to Sydney, as well as the airfare of their parent, guardian, or school principal.

There are many fantastic resources available through the Australian Human Rights Commission that can help students with their entries. This includes information about race discrimination, speeches, news stories, fact sheets, and education resources on racism, including lesson plans connected to the Australian Curriculum.

Racism. It Stops with Me

Racism. It Stops with Me is a campaign that invites all Australians to reflect on what they can do to counter racism wherever it happens. It is part of Australia’s national anti-racism strategy. Since 2012 over 430 prominent government, business, sporting, and community organisations have actively participated in the campaign.

Organisations, including schools can become campaign supporters. If your school is interested please contact the secretariat antiracismsecreatariat@humanrights.gov.au


Katerina LecchiKaterina Lecchi
Education and Campaign Coordinator
National Anti-Racism Strategy

Katerina is passionate about building the capacity of organisations and individuals to better address human rights issues. She has a Master of Teaching and a Master of Human Rights Law and Policy, and has extensive experience in the public and not for profit sector.

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