Racism in Australia under the spotlight – Diversity Week 2005 at the Ipswich Campus

A public lecture by acclaimed indigenous affairs and racism author Dr David Hollinsworth will headline a series of events and activities at The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus next week as part of Diversity Week 2005.

Author of Race and Racism in Australia (second edition 1998) and Adjunct Professor in Contemporary Studies Dr David Hollinsworth will deliver the public lecture, entitled Whitewashing Australia: Combating Racism in the 21st Century, at the Ipswich Campus on Tuesday, 10 May.

Dr Hollinsworth won the NSW Premier’s Young People’s History Prize 2004 for the book, They Took the Children. His public lecture at the Ipswich Campus will explore the issues surrounding indigenous and multicultural affairs in Australia and will be held in Room 109, Building 12 from 12 – 1pm.

Other events to herald Diversity Week 2005 at UQ Ipswich include the International Food Festival on Wednesday, 11 May, supported by the UQ Union and organized by students at the Ipswich Campus, to celebrate the diversity of the student population.

Students also have the chance to win a digital camera by entering the Student Photographic Competition being held during the week, as well as visualize their interpretations of diversity and difference by taking part in the banner painting exercise.

A series of Diversity Week films will also be shown on Campus during the week.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Ipswich Professor Alan Rix, responsible for equity matters, said diversity was one of the University’s great strengths.

“The student and staff populations of UQ are highly diverse. Different cultures, races, religions, world views, languages and points of view contribute to the richness of work and life at UQ, and benefit us all,” Prof Rix said.

“Diversity represents what universities are all about – understanding ideas and interpretations of the world around us, both cultural and natural.”

Further information about Diversity Week 2005 at The University of Queensland is available at www.uq.edu.au/ipswich or telephone Ms Loretta Porche on (07) 3381 1068 or 0418 772 819.