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Working in close partnerships with agencies and CSOs

has two distinct advantages. The first is that the outcome is

co-owned, and speaks on behalf of the community rather than

to the community. Further, in co-producing reports with local

stakeholders it gives a voice to those that are on the margins.

In other words, by working with stakeholders one is more

effectively able to recentre the voices of those communities

in question and highlight cultural diversity and the right to

have dual or multiple identities. A good example of this is a

number of reports that the institute has produced with both

established and more recent diasporas such as the Arabic,

Italian, Vietnamese, Tongan and Macedonian communities in

Australia, in conjunction with both state agencies and local

community organizations, which highlight the continued

attachment to one’s heritage culture, without precluding a

strong identification as Australian. Effectively such reports

illustrate that national identity should not preclude cultural

rights, thus allowing notions of multiple fluid attachment.

Indeed, due to increasing human mobility and transnational

relationships, such a rethink regarding multiple belongings is

vital for a functional national identity going forward.

Innovative outreach

In line with this ethos, the institute also looks to pursue

other non-traditional dissemination formats which can have

a profound impact in the wider community. For example,

institute researchers have been experimenting with the use

of digital technologies and other visual media in an attempt

to combat social ills, most notably racism. Despite the fact

that Australia has come a long way and has a vibrant multi-

cultural society, racism is still a very real problem. In order

to help people understand what it feels like to be the butt

of a racist joke or comment, institute researchers (in part-

nership with other universities and CSOs) sought out an

innovative way to try and provide people with a safe yet

immersive experience. This led to the development of the

Everyday Racism App, which dares people to take the seven-

day racism challenge. Alongside this, they also helped to

design an interactive museum exhibition to engage people

on issues of race and identity.

Drawing on the real-life experiences of people who have been a

target of racist behaviours, the app allows you to choose between

being an Aboriginal man, Muslim woman, Indian student, or

yourself, and to live in their shoes for a week. The researchers

have identified that 30-40 per cent of the Australian population

is ambivalent towards cultural diversity. It is hoped that the app

“will help users become more familiar with racist scenarios, so

they can safely intervene when they do encounter racism.” Since

its launch in early 2014 the app has been downloaded more than

6,000 times. The innovative design and approach has recently

been recognized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

(UNAOC) Intercultural Innovation Awards.

Running from 2012 to 2015, the ‘Using Museums to Combat

Racism’ project explores the appropriateness, feasibility and

acceptability of the exhibition entitled

Identity, Yours, Mine,

Ours

(IYMO) with regard to fostering reflection on identity

and increasing acceptance of cultural diversity among second-

ary school students in the years 10-12 and teachers. The

exhibition, developed in consultation with the research team,

was launched in 2011 and focuses on how cultural heritage,

beliefs, language and family connections can affect people’s

sense of self and how they view others, and how this can lead

to self-awareness, confusion or prejudice. This is achieved

through immersive video narratives and interactive multi-

media experiences that were designed to challenge people’s

preconceived notions about race, identity and belonging.

Towards a new approach to social cohesion

As noted earlier, the existence of multicultural societies has

become an indisputable social and demographic fact. Yet,

increased diversity is still viewed as a problem rather than

a resource. Relations between groups and people within

multicultural contexts are subject to change and develop-

ment which in turn leads to more difference and diversity.

The composition of societies will continue to become more

diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture, religion, lifestyles and

language. These changes will challenge historical notions of

national identity. It is thus of crucial importance to examine

the ways in which intercultural relations are changing within

globalized settings, and the ways in which new manifestations

of diversity are perceived and governed.

In this context, and in line with the United Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s

(UNESCOs) commitment to approaching ‘cultural rights’ as

human rights, the institute’s various activities aim to contrib-

ute to a more inclusive public sphere that bene ts all through

active participation in both social and political processes. The

establishment of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders,

the adoption of innovative methods, the immediate dissemi-

nation and application of research findings through diverse

channels and the underlying commitment to participation and

empowerment of the more vulnerable among us, constitute

the driving forces of the institute’s operations.

Such a holistic ethical approach has the potential to

minimize – even neutralize – the risk of intercultural and

interreligious tensions within increasingly multicultural soci-

eties. How to bene t from increased levels of diversity without

compromising the possibility of reaching social cohesion and

a strong collective sense of unity and belonging is the main

global challenge in today’s world.

Promotional material used to advertise the Everyday Racism App

Image: All Together Now, University of Western Sydney,

Melbourne University and Deakin University

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