UNSW Sydney Chancellor David Gonski convened a panel of experts to discuss the future of human rights and equality as core values in our society.
Around the world, diversity and inclusion programs are being questioned. In Australia, experts are asking whether those ideals are still valued and relevant - and what we risk losing if they're abandoned.
An expert panel hosted by the Australian Human Rights Institute this week explored those questions, and how the demise of diversity initiatives, prompted by moves in the United States, is being felt here in Australia.
The event was the first in a new 'Provocation Series', bringing together leaders in law, government, policy and social justice to reflect on societal challenges and opportunities.
A pivotal moment for equality
UNSW Chancellor David Gonski introduced the distinguished panel, including Australian Human Rights Institute Director and UNSW Law & Justice Professor Justine Nolan, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Hugh de Kretser, journalist and author Nick Bryant and federal Labor MP Sally Sitou.
"The Australian Human Rights Institute embodies so many of the things I value about UNSW," Mr Gonski said. "It's not just theoretical, it's a group that's come together to combine research with arguments and ideas - and they're championing those ideas within the community and bringing reform.
"I think this provocation series is just what the community needs. We need to engage in dialogue on these issues."
Lessons from Donald Trump's America
The panel discussed the risk of losing ground on human rights and equality as the world feels the consequences of Donald Trump's push to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs .
"He wiped all that history out with the flourish of his sharpie pen," Nick Bryant said.
The journalist and author said Donald Trump weaponised DEI language during the US election campaign in 2024.
He noted that whilst Australians aspired to carve out a path distinct from the United States, issues such as the rising cost of living shaped public attitudes towards diversity and inclusion.
"Australia is saying we don't want to be too heavily influenced by what's happening in America right now. We don't want it in our politics. We don't want it in our corporate life. We have built things here that we should try and safeguard.
"The Australian dream isn't in great shape. I think we're in this kind of perfect storm of fragmentation at the moment, and in a milieu like that, DEI becomes a sort of harder case to make in some ways, and it becomes not an issue to unite around. It becomes another issue to argue over."
Are we less ambitious about effecting change?
Federal Labor MP Sally Sitou reflected on the complexities of DEI language and the fragility of multiculturalism in Australia.
"The term diversity and inclusion, I do think, is dead - but not the concept," Ms Sitou said. "I think we need to do a better job of explaining what this means. We need to do a better job of letting people know why this is important.
"What I would like to see is for us to stop using the words 'diversity and inclusion' and be specific about what we mean by it.
"Progress is not linear. It's a challenge to be a multicultural success story. But we embrace multiculturalism because of everything that it brings, the dynamism, the fact that it was because of multiculturalism that we were able to then become the great modern country that we are today."
Creating space for difficult conversations
The panel also addressed ways to address declining public trust in institutions and governments. Prof. Nolan said communities needed to embrace critical thinking about when it came to equality.
"We're at a point where trust in the media, trust in business, trust in government, are at record lows," Prof. Nolan said.
"I think we have to get a lot better at having uncomfortable conversations. Too often, we're too worried about what we might say or staying in our silo that we're not prepared to speak about uncomfortable things in a constructive way."
A hopeful path forward
President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Hugh de Kretser said recent social unrest such as the violent protests in Melbourne risked overshadowing progress on diversity and inclusion.
"We had neo Nazis walking brazenly on the streets," he said.
"There were explicit calls for Australia, for the white man. We had communities across the country, particularly Indian communities, feeling deeply unsafe."
He also emphasised the importance of promoting respectful discussion.
"The language we use is really important. People feel very nervous about saying the wrong thing and being castigated for that. People feel it's us and them," Mr de Kretser said.
"So, the message for people who care about human rights and equality - and note that I use those words instead of diversity, equity and inclusion - is one that we need to communicate much better."
This panel was part of UNSW's Diversity Festival . Events run throughout September to celebrate the diversity of our community and ignite bold conversations.
