The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion received more than 20,000 submissions and gathered evidence from nine public hearings and a roundtable. What did Commissioner Virginia Bell and her team make of the evidence before them? Over two sessions, this course delves into the insights and recommendations in the Commission’s final report. We will explore the main themes in the public response and identify the key players shaping Australia’s social cohesion after this landmark royal commission.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face to face / Online

SUGGESTED READING

• https://asc.royalcommission.gov.au/
• https://asc.royalcommission.gov.au/about
• https://asc.royalcommission.gov.au/hearings/hearing-block-1-nature-and-prevalence

COURSE OUTLINE

• Background to the Royal Commission
• What did the Royal Commission conclude about antisemitism in Australia?
• Key themes in the Royal Commission’s recommendations: what picture do they paint of Australia?
• Public reaction to the Commission’s findings and recommendations
• What can we learn from organisations working against antisemitism and for social cohesion?
• Responsibility and accountability: what are the next steps?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the background to, and Terms of Reference for, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
2. Analyse the Royal Commission’s findings and recommendations
3. Appreciate what antisemitism looks and feels like in Australia
4. Track the main themes in the public response to the final report
5. Identify stepping stones to countering antisemitism and strengthening social cohesion
6. Identify who is responsible for carrying out the Commission’s recommendations, and what accountability mechanisms exist
7. Reflect on what Australia would be like if all the recommendations were realised