Respect for diversity begins in our schools
The project team, from left, Merlyne Cruz from the Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood, La Trobe's Professor Wertheim and Jo Hutton and Elizabeth Freeman, University of Melbourne.
An award-winning project by La Trobe University psychologist Professor Eleanor Wertheim and her colleagues aims to help teachers 'build' schools that respect cultural diversity.
'If we are to continue to advance as a prosperous society, social cohesion is critical. It is therefore as important to boost the capabilities of our schools in respect for cultural diversity and ability to handle differences between people and groups, as it is to teach maths and sciences.'
Professor Wertheim is highly respected both as an educator and psychological researcher for her work on conflict resolution and health issues. She is among a select group which has won a coveted 'Australian Award for University Teaching' and the Australian Psychological Society's 'Excellence in Teaching Award'.
The new project – Creating culturally respectful primary schools: Enhancing relationships through strategic professional learning – has been supported by funds from the Federal Government's Australian Research Council.
It is based on earlier research for which Professor Wertheim and her collaborators won the Australian Psychological Society's Robin Winkler Community Psychology Award.
The new project extends to teachers, students and other members of primary school communities high-quality, long term professional development in the areas of cultural diversity and conflict resolution.
'This enables them to build strong school communities where diversity is embraced and valued,' Professor Wertheim says.
'Conflict and differences between people are a part of life, and offer rich opportunities for developing awareness and understanding the values, needs, interests and cultures of other people.
'However, if handled badly, conflict can lead to damaged relationships, intolerance, racism, aggression – and this is often exacerbated between groups from different cultural backgrounds.
'By beginning at an early age through schools, we can encourage a more peaceful society which embraces differences between people and cultural groups, one that has the skills to integrate differing values and interests in constructive ways.'
Professor Wertheim says the original project involved twelve Melbourne primary schools. It has now been extended to another ten schools and will be evaluated during 2008 to 2009 with the help of the new research grant.
The project is being conducted with researchers from the University of Melbourne (Faculty of Education and Centre for Innovation and Equity in Early Childhood) in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation, Catholic Education Office Melbourne, Australian Psychological Society and two primary schools (Haig Street Primary School, Heidelberg, and St Anthony's Primary School, Alphington).