Making it real: Courageous Conversations about Race across the Tasman

In 2009, the University of Western Australia (UWA) supplemented its existing suite of cultural competence initiatives with an organisational change program developed by Glenn Singleton, CEO, Pacific Education Group (PEG). ... [ view full abstract ]

In 2009, the University of Western Australia (UWA) supplemented its existing suite of cultural competence initiatives with an organisational change program developed by Glenn Singleton, CEO, Pacific Education Group (PEG).

Courageous Conversations About Race (CCAR) has, as its core element, a highly interactive ‘conversation’ that constructively engages the University community in meaningful, action-oriented dialogue. The program material encourages staff and students to develop awareness of the various ways race affects both their life and professional practice.

The CCAR program is now a regular feature on the UWA staff development calendar and the material is embedded within the curriculum across six faculties. Various forms of the CCAR Program have been implemented at more than a dozen institutions in Australia and New Zealand.

This workshop will present the findings of a comprehensive 2013/14 evaluation of the CCAR program and describe the process and outcomes of a unique collaboration of six higher education institutions in Australia and New Zealand. It will provide a comparative analysis of the similarities, nuanced difference and multiple layers of the implementation of the CCAR in the US, Australia and NZ.

Discussion will also focus on racial equity practice, and CCAR as a tool for deepening Indigenous cultural competence. Responses to the growing challenge of the bamboo ceiling, casual workplace racism and the needs of new and emerging migrant communities will also be explored.

Presenters : Dr Matthew Farry (Unitec, New Zealand), Mr Malcolm Fialho (UWA) , Ms Valentina Bailey (ECU), Dr Caroline Gopalkrishnan (Curtin), Ms Rachel Callahan (SCU) and Mr Roman Ruzbacky (Deakin)