Australian Human Rights Commission Submission to the UN Committee On The Elimination Of Racial Discrimination, 30 October 2017 Commission considers that ratification of these instruments would assist Australia’s compliance with CERD.27 33. As noted in section 5.2 below, the Commission also considers that the Australian Government should give effect to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Recommendation 6: That the Australian Government consider ratification of the Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and other international instruments relating to issues of racial discrimination. Education (CERD article 7; CO 11, 21 & 27) (a) Human rights education in the national curriculum 34. The Commission commends the inclusion of some references to human rights in the national school curriculum, but considers that this could be improved. 35. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples noted that the mainstream education system contains inadequate components of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and the impact of colonisation.28 36. The Special Rapporteur on racial discrimination noted that the teaching of Indigenous subjects, particularly of languages and cultures, remains nonexistent or very rare.29 The Commission welcomes the recent Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 No 51 (NSW), which received assent on 24 October 2017. The Act establishes an ‘Aboriginal Languages Trust’ to bring together persons with relevant profession qualifications in languages and persons with knowledge of Aboriginal languages to perform various functions, including promotion of education in Aboriginal language activities.30 The Commission considers it important that sufficient ongoing funding be provided to the Aboriginal Languages Trust so that it can successfully fulfil its functions. The Commission also considers it important for the NSW government to ensure that the legislation does not seek to impose ministerial controls or intervention in relation to Aboriginal languages.31 Recommendation 7: That the Australian Government incorporate more comprehensive human rights education (including in relation to racial discrimination and CERD) in the national school curriculum. (b) 37. Multiculturalism education in the national curriculum While surveys consistently demonstrate strong public support for multiculturalism in Australia,32 public understanding about cultural diversity can be strengthened. In more general terms, Australians’ civic knowledge, including their understanding of the political system, has been found to be low.33 A more comprehensive civics education, including through the formal school curriculum, could encompass a clear articulation of multiculturalism and values of cultural diversity. 10