Australian Human Rights Commission Australia and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Shadow report to the CERD Committee – 8 July 2010 evidence links race-based discrimination and racism to ill health, reduced productivity, reduced life expectancy and morbidity. 77 Current evidence further suggests that race-based discrimination and exclusion impacts negatively on families and family life and local communities, with serious social and economic costs. 78 Recommendation 28: That the Australian Government develop a coordinated, national approach to anti-racism that is linked to the national multicultural policy framework. This recommendation is in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, which calls on states to develop comprehensive national action plans to eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. 7.3 International student safety (ICERD Article 5) 83. The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Australian Government’s review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 but notes its limited terms of reference focusing on the regulation of international education service providers. 79 84. The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to developing a National International Student Strategy but is disappointed with (I) the slow progress that has been made and (II) the limited parameters of the strategy. 85. In recent months the Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the safety of international students in Australia and the vulnerability factors that can cause them to experience violence. 86. On 31 March 2010, the Academy of the Social Sciences, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Universities Australia held the Racism and the Student Experience Policy Research Workshop. The purpose of the Workshop was to assess available data from social science research to assist with the prevention of racially motivated crimes against international students and improve international student safety. 87. The current international student population in Australia has grown rapidly in recent years. International student enrolments grew from under 188,000 in 2000 to 631,000 in 2009. 80 Australia has a higher proportion of international students (as part of its total tertiary student population) than any other country in the world. 81 The Workshop participants agreed that while the growth of international education has been a positive development for Australia, there needs to be a proportional investment in international student support services. 88. The Workshop participants agreed that segments of the international student population in Australia are at risk of experiencing multiple forms of discrimination. They also agreed that the international student population in Australia has a discernable set of human rights, including their rights to 26