Australian Human Rights Commission
Respect at Uni Interim Report
December 2024
Similarly, there were discussions regarding the definitions of anti-Palestinian
racism raised with the Commission. At this point in the Study, it is crucial to
understand these topics, as they are often seen as barriers to advancing antiracism initiatives. However, it is equally important to allow space for the Study
survey and field research to inform future guidance on establishing common
language.
Language around racism and related concepts is constantly evolving. The
Australian Union of Jewish Students signalled support for prioritisation of a
common definition of antisemitism, highlighting the practical impact:
This isn't an academic exercise... This is an exercise that has an impact on
thousands of students across the country. 94
These developments highlight the importance of consistent language but also
remind us that the language we use to describe racism is a vehicle for
understanding lived experience and is constantly evolving. The evidence from
the Study will be another important input in shaping the discourse around
racism in Australian universities.
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