Multicultural Youth Perspectives on Racism and the Draft Anti-Racism Framework – 2022 Consultation Findings
In March 2021, the Race Discrimination Commissioner called for a National Anti-Racism Framework. In response, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is drafting the National Anti-Racism Framework and has consulted with different communities and groups across the country to help inform the framework. MYAN has previously called for the development of a national anti-racism strategy, with the understanding that it would provide critical guidance for supporting and resourcing coordinated action to address racism and discrimination in Australia. MYAN Chair, Carmel Guerra, has said that “a National Anti-Racism framework will create the conditions for a healthy and productive society and a stronger sense of safety and inclusion for everyone.
As such, MYAN believes that the development and implementation of a national anti-racism strategy is uniquely placed to strengthen a socially cohesive Australia, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts of the pandemic have highlighted the systemic racism and discrimination still prevalent across Australian society. While this presents far-reaching implications for all Australians, the personal and cultural identity and mental health of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds are particularly at risk.
The National Anti-Racism Framework will play a critical role in promoting safer and more welcoming communities, thus leading to more positive settlement outcomes for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
As part of the consultation process, MYAN hosted a national youth consultation to help inform this framework. The consultation was peer-led and focused on participants’ thoughts on racism, exploring the spaces where young people experienced its prevalence, and identifying its impact, and key issues young people would like the framework to address, including their ideas for effective responses and solutions. This report presents a summary of this consultation.
