2024 events
Inner West Council marks the Elimination of Racial Discrimination week annually to raise awareness about racism and the harmful impacts it can have on the health and wellbeing of people in our community.
Internationally, 21 March is commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day references 1960 in South Africa, to commemorate a group of protestors who were killed when peacefully protesting Apartheid Laws.
In a Council resolution of March 2022, Inner West Council committed to commemorating this date to encourage honest and open conversations about racism.
This was also the intention behind the Racism Not Welcome street sign campaign, which has now been adopted by many other Councils around Australia.
Council is currently undertaking consultation and feedback from the local community to develop a Council-first Anti-Racism Strategy. This will further empower our community to identify, address and respond to racism. It will also strengthen the role and responsibility local government has in combatting racial discrimination.
We encourage you to participate in the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Week by registering for the free community events listed above, delivered with support from Inner West Council.
The Power of Conversation: Stories of Racism from the Community
Acknowledgement of Country
Introduction from Gloria Tabi
Gloria Tabi is a Master of Research Student specialising in Social Analysis on Race, Black Identity, Anti-racism within Humanities, Communications and Arts. As a Black African-Australian woman, Gloria brings well-grounded knowledge and experience of the impacts presented in race and gender. Gloria lives, works and podcasts from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is available to travel for speaking engagements.
Interview with Lizzie Jarret
Lizzie Jarrett is a sovereign woman from the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, Dunghutti clans and is a direct descendant of the original Stolen Generations. Lizzie is a First Nations advocate/activist assisting with a high volume of casework involving people who have suffered discrimination and violence at the hands of government agencies or others and are seeking legal remedy.
Interview with Justo Díaz
Justo was born in Argentina and has been in Australia since 1979. He is a musician and visual artist. He has been a producer at SBS Radio, composer, youth worker, NSW Multicultural Music Coordinator, a father and even a Wharfie in Tierra de Fuego in Argentina.
Interview with Dok Mamer
Dok Mamer was born in South Sudan, Africa and came to Australia when he was about 10 years old. He loves sports and started playing basketball when he came to Australia. He now plays professionally in and out of the country. He loves social media and uses the platform to reach the youth and community to get them involved in sports programs.
Interview with Jahin Tanvir
Jahin was born in Bangladesh, raised in Australia, migrated here in 2002. He is most passionate about empowering young people of colour, healthcare, and leadership. He has had the opportunity to provide advice to several youth-led and multicultural organisations all over Australia. He was recently he named Young Ambassador at UNICEF for 2022. He loves sports, poetry, and public speaking and is committed to society through his work in advocacy and empowering youth voices.
Interview with Cartin Ong
Cartin is Australian-born Chinese. She is really passionate about intersectionality and how that lens can be applied to feminist theories throughout history. She is a Year 12 IB student who loves studying history, English and geography. In her spare time she loves playing guitar. She likes to share herself with the community by making videos discussing contemporary issues about our environment and society and sharing them on her website, TeenMeets.