Students come together for humanity
If you believe everything you hear in the media you might think all Muslims are dangerous and Asians sell drugs. At least, that's the belief of many primary school children who have been surveyed by the team behind a new project encouraging students to question religious and racial stereotypes and promote peace and harmony.
The Together for Humanity program, funded by the Department of Communities and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, involves a group of facilitators talking to children about diversity and acceptance and exposing the students to these concepts as early as possible.
"We have three presenters at all times — usually a Jewish person, a Christian and a Muslim," says co-presenter Ronit Baras, who is a member of the Jewish community. "Before going to any school we survey the students' ideas regarding different religions and races. The survey is sent to them before they see us so as not to influence them."
The students' response upon meeting the multi-faith group is usually "very positive" according to co-presenter Shaima Khan, who is a member of the Muslim community.
"Children are generally not judgemental. They are open minded and accepting," says Shaima. "They soon realise they are just like us." Shaima says the first message the team conveys is that although the presenters are different, they are all friends and get along well.
"We demonstrate this by laughing together, being friendly, smiling, having fun and getting along together while being ourselves. We don't actually tell anyone what they should or should not be doing, but we show them."
Two programs are available: the Together for Humanity workshop program and the Service Together project. The workshops explore the concept of being Australian and what makes us a community through games and activities, whereas the Service Together program brings students together from culturally diverse schools to work on a project.
"It's wonderful to see the students working together. By the end of the program they are are making friendship bracelets, hugging and sending emails," Ronit says.
The program gives young people the opportunity to ask direct questions about the presenters' dress, accent, skin colour and other overt differences.
So, does the program encourage young people to challenge the media stereotype?
"One parent said I was the first Muslim his year nine daughter had met," says Shaima.
"He was pleased because he wanted his children to question what they heard in the media."