A three-year landmark project to “analyse and combat” antisemitism and other religious discrimination has been launched by the Centre for Independent Studies, describing it as an issue “too pervasive and urgent to be left to government alone”. Source: The Australian.
The project by the centre-right think tank, which will survey Australians yearly on their perceptions of antisemitism, Islamophobia and religious discrimination, is being championed and funded by the Luminis Foundation – the philanthropic arm of advisory firm Luminis Partners – and its executive co-chairman Simon Mordant, a leading Australian arts figure.
Luminis Partners’ Ron Malek and Jamie Garis condemned the “alarming” explosion of antisemitism in a statement and said it would be a “vital project for all Australians”.
“(Antisemitism) is a major issue for all our communities because left unchecked it will erode our shared Australian values and totally undermine social cohesion across the country,” Mr Malek said.
Along with the surveys, the CIS will release publications on antisemitism, online hate, legal protections, and civic education, with a focus on “robust, data-driven insights”.
Antisemitism will be defined in the project along the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition, and “look at both overt and coded hostility toward Jewish individuals and institutions”, while Islamophobia will be examined as “a related form of intolerance, with attention to its sociopolitical dimensions and overlap with issues of security and visibility”.
CIS director of culture, prosperity and civil society, Peter Kurti, said antisemitic behaviour and sentiment in Australia was “not a passing trend” but a “seemingly deepening challenge that touches schools, universities, the arts, media, politics, and civil society”.
Mr Kurti said the CIS, “as an independent think tank” was “well positioned to examine these issues without fear or favour”.
“While government inquiries like those led by the Australian Human Rights Commission play an important role, they can often be limited by political constraints, short timelines, or hurdles in trying to confront ideological contributors to the problem.
“CIS intends to dig deeper, make clear uncomfortable truths, and offer evidence-based policy and cultural recommendations free of institutional pressure.”
At the end of the three years, CIS will present a final volume of research and policy recommendations.
FULL STORY
Think tank launches ‘three-year, data-driven’ project to ‘combat’ antisemitism, religious discrimination (By Joanna Panagopoulos, The Australian)
