Knowing how to stand up for others impacted by prejudice or discrimination can be challenging, so COOL.org has worked with Courage to Care to create six new lessons across years 9 and 10, Health and Physical Education, that explore how to be an Upstander through personal behaviour and community initiatives.
Courage to Care and cool.org have launched a free, nationwide online education resource for teachers and students to fight against the alarming increase in hate speech in Australia.
The resource, involving six lesson plans, has been designed to equip teachers to tackle issues of racism, discrimination, antisemitism and stereotyping with their year 9 and 10 students.
It will also give them the tools to stand up to and take action against hate speech in their schools and communities. Since the Hamas terror attack on Israel of October 7 Serious incidents of antisemitism across Australia have surged by 738 per cent. a figure that Jewish leaders warn is “only the tip of the Iceberg”.
Reports show that multiculturalism in Australia is at a tipping point.
The Scanlon Foundation’s 2023 Mapping Social Cohesion survey’s findings reveal that contentious debates over local and geopolitical issues have created challenging national and global circumstances, affecting social cohesion.
Courage to Care Victoria CEO Mike Zervos OAM said his organisation was more determined than ever to forge ahead with its mission to create a generation of Upstanders against prejudice and discrimination.
“Our commitment to offering face- to-face programs is unwavering and adding this online resource for teachers and students is a wonderful bonus.
“In our 30-year history, we have impacted the lives of more than 175.000 Victorian students, with volunteers delivering face-to-face, facilitated Upstander program workshops in the school setting.
“Taking our Upstander education online in partnership with Cool.org. is a natural next step in the current climate.
“The need for proactive response is greater than ever and these online resources will allow us to reach a far greater and more diverse range of
teachers and students.” Courage to Care was created as an initiative of B’nai B’rith. It remains steadfast in its mission to make ALL racism. antisemitism and discrimination a thing of the past.
Cool.org is a not-for profit organisation dedicated to creating real-world, curriculum-aligned teaching resources that equip educators to “teach the stuff that matters”. creating better outcomes for humanity.
Cool.org education specialist Mahnee Cooke said she was fortunate to have seen the impact that Courage to Care’s face-to-face program had with a group of Year 9 students.
“I knew that being able to spread their message to more teachers and students through these freely available lesson plans was only going to increase that impact.” Ms Cooke said.
“I believe it is so important to not only educate young people about the dangers of racism, prejudice. discrimination and bullying, but to also provide them with skills and strategies to be Upstanders in their communities. “I think they are going to create a lot of impact.”
About the resources
These resources provide teachers with accessible and engaging lessons and materials that educate about the dangers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and bystander behaviour, supporting and empowering their students in changing from bystander attitudes and behaviour to Upstander action.
Partner Organisation:
Courage to Care is a universal not-for-profit organisation providing Upstander Programs that educate about the dangers of racism, antisemitism, discrimination and bystander behaviour. Guided by the belief that ordinary people have the power to make a positive difference to the lives of others by being Upstanders, the face to face programs inspire participants to make a real difference in their community by standing up and taking action, creating real change. Upstander Programs are available to schools in most states free of charge.
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