La Trobe University Centre for Dialogue

Australia’s handling of Tensions since September 11

The Victorian Experience

This project will involve extensive investigation of the adequacy of government, media and community responses to conflicts involving the Muslim world (including terrorism and 'counter-terrorism', the Iraq war, Afghanistan and refugee issues), especially since September 11. On the basis of this assessment, the project will design an educational programme in Victoria to promote culturally sensitive and socially constructive roles and policies.

Using the insights and experience of researchers, community organisations, and government agencies, the Centre will develop leadership training programmes targeted to key sectors of the community. The approach, methods and composition of the training programmes will specifically focus on promoting community skills and attitudes, social practices, public policies, and media coverage that facilitate dialogue and conflict resolution. They will take full advantage of, and in the process seek to enhance, the richness, diversity and creativity of Victoria's multi-faith and multi-ethnic society.

Stage One or Research Stage

This stage (the first 9 months) will involve a study of government policies at key stages in the development of tensions, the way they were formulated, presented in the public arena, and executed. The focus will be on the language used by ministers, diplomats, senior military officers, and government officials to describe each of the conflicts in question, and their causes. The focus will be on what are considered to be the appropriate ways of resolving or managing such conflicts, and the impact that the policies and the language used have had on community relations in general and Muslim communities in particular.

The same approach will be taken with regard to media coverage and community responses (especially in the Victorian context) and their impact on a number of ethnic communities. The focus will be on initiatives taken – whether by government bodies, religious and community organisations, the media and educational institutions – with a view to identifying those approaches which have facilitated greater cultural understanding and dialogue and those that have impeded it. Here the project will draw upon the experience of all the partner organisations listed below.

Stage Two or Application Stage

Building on the research conducted in Stage One, this stage, will develop an extensive educational and training programme aimed at four carefully targeted groups:

• ethnic community organisations
• religious organisations
• journalists and media groups
• women's organisations drawn from ethnic communities and the wider community.

While tailored to the Victorian context, these programmes will reflect best national and international practice. Different educational models will be examined, with particular emphasis placed on issues of content, dialogic interaction, resources, size and composition of workshops. La Trobe's partner organisations, including the Uniting Church, Pax Christi, the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Islamic Council of Victoria will provide advice and other support.

For more information on this project please contact: Dr Michális Michael