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19 February 2013

A coalition of organisations and individuals from across Victoria have come together to reaffirm, in a joint statement, their support of Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith community.

This is their joint statement:

Victoria is a multicultural and multifaith society in which racial, religious and linguistic diversity is embraced as a strength. This vibrant diversity has generated social, cultural and economic benefits for all Victorians.

Victorians hold a diversity of views and beliefs, observe many different cultures and traditions and speak an impressive range of languages. The 2011 ABS Census illustrated our cultural diversity: 46.8% of Victorians were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas; 23.1% of Victorians speak a language other than English at home; and Victorians follow more than 130 different faiths.

Community harmony in Victoria is strengthened by a long-standing, shared commitment across government, community and business - and in a  range of settings, including on the sporting field - to respect and embrace difference, to respond appropriately to unjust treatment and vilification, and to recognise and celebrate our common bond as proud Victorians and Australians. 

We have a collective responsibility to respect our fellow citizens and preserve the social cohesion and harmony that characterise Victoria and makes our society great. We also encourage genuine and constructive engagement and dialogue as a means to achieving greater understanding and acceptance of diversity.

We welcome challenging ideas and debate, however, inciting hatred and animosity towards specific cultural or faith-based communities has no place in Victoria. All Victorians have a right to practice their faith and observe their cultural traditions and languages free from discrimination or vilification.
 

This statement is endorsed by the following organisations and individuals

• Adult Multicultural Education Services
• Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
• Australian Football League
• Australian Multicultural Foundation
• Baha’i Community of Victoria
• Buddhist Council of Victoria
• Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
• Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria
• E-Vam Buddhist Institute
• Faith Communities Council of Victoria
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
• Interfaith Centre of Melbourne
• Islamic Council of Victoria
• Jewish Community Council of Victoria
• Lutheran Church of Australia
• Municipal Association of Victoria
• Rabbinical Council of Victoria
• Religions for Peace Australia
• Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
• UNESCO Chair – Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Asia Pacific
• Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
• Victorian Council of Churches
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• Victorian Multicultural Commission

Spokespeople

• Victorian Council of Churches: Theo Mackaay (0407 082 607)
• UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Asia Pacific region: Gary Bouma (0409 234 960)
• Islamic Council of Victoria: Mohamad Tabbaa (0425 228 567)
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission: Karen Toohey (0459 114 657)
• Victorian Multicultural Commission: Chin Tan (9651 0808)
• Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria: Ross Barnett (9349 4122)