The Albanese Government today launched the Social Cohesion Education Hub which is a new national online platform bringing together existing antisemitism and social cohesion resources to support schools and educators to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
It brings together existing resources from across the country in one place. This is the first step. More resources will be developed and added to the Hub over time in tranches to fill gaps and address emerging needs.
The Hub is part of the response to Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism's Plan, agreed to by Education Ministers earlier this year.
An initial suite of 50 existing resources is now available, with around half focusing on antisemitism. The resources include classroom materials and professional learning tools.
These resources have been quality assured by a project advisory group of education and social cohesion experts, including from the Office of the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
This builds on the work the Government is doing to combat antisemitism and improve social cohesion across the entire education system through the work of the Antisemitism Education Taskforce chaired by David Gonski AC.
The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority has been tasked with reviewing the curriculum to help combat antisemitism and strengthen the teaching of Australian values in schools.
Advisory groups are being established to do this work including specialists in antisemitism, Holocaust education, Jewish history and culture, and Australian values education.
Education Ministers supported the development of a Social Cohesion Education Hub by Education Services Australia (ESA).
The Australian Government has committed $6 million over five years to establish and maintain the Social Cohesion Education Hub.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"There is no place for the poison of antisemitism anywhere in our society.
"There is a lot that we as a country need to do to tackle antisemitism and improve social cohesion and what we do in education is an important part of that.
"Bringing together existing resources from across the country into one place is the first step.
"We'll keep adding to the Hub over time to make sure we're giving schools and educators the tools they need.
"What we teach in schools is important here too.
"That's why Education Ministers have agreed to a focused review of the school curriculum.
"It will look at opportunities to combat antisemitism and strengthen understanding of Australian values.
"That work is underway right now."
Quotes attributable to the Chair of the Antisemitism Education Taskforce David Gonski AC:
"I welcome the launch of the Social Cohesion Education Hub, one of the first outputs of the work of the Antisemitism Education Taskforce.
"By putting these free online resources in one place, the Social Cohesion Education Hub will support schools and educators to help students at all stages of their education journey, to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
"With over 50 resources currently available which will grow and evolve over time I believe this suite of resources offers critically-needed tools to improve students' understanding and ability to effectively respond to antisemitism, all forms of racism and hatred, and help embed safety and a sense of inclusion amongst us all."
Quotes attributable to the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal:
"The launch of the Government's Social Cohesion Education Hub is an important step.
"The suite of resources available through the Hub will complement efforts to support educators and teachers in combatting antisemitism.
"My strong hope is that the Hub together with the UNESCO teacher training program being piloted in Australia will help support schools to respond to the rising levels of antisemitism, as well as intolerance and prejudice more broadly."
