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BUILDING WHAT COMES NEXT
This week, I reflect on the institutions, relationships and conversations that will help build a stronger future.
Dear friends,
What will you find in this newsletter?
Building a stronger multicultural Victoria
Victorian MPs have spent this week debating legislation to replace the Victorian Multicultural Commission with a new, more robust body: Multicultural Victoria.
The change follows an independent review conducted by eminent local multicultural leaders, including our community’s Miriam Suss. The Opposition supports the Government’s planned changes, although Matthew Guy MP, a former Minister for Multicultural Affairs, has flagged that the Liberal Party is likely to propose amendments.
From the JCCV’s point of view, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) was not able to provide the level of support our community needed as antisemitism rose to its most dangerous level in Victoria.
Our state is strengthened by its diversity, but safety, peace and belonging cannot be taken for granted. When communities, including our Jewish community, face the level of hate, discrimination and vitriol we have experienced in recent years, we need strong leaders to help us find a way through. Those leaders also need the resources, staff and funding to act early and effectively. The cost of early intervention is likely to be far lower than the cost of lives lost, poorer health outcomes, rebuilt institutions, fences, cameras and armed guards.
We look forward to this Bill passing Parliament. The JCCV will work closely with the Government and Opposition to ensure the success of Multicultural Victoria.
Building bridges across communities
Continuing the theme of multiculturalism, the JCCV and Central Shule this week hosted Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) President Silvia Renda, CEO Farah Farouque and Director of Operations and Strategy Elmina Joldic for a synagogue tour and roundtable discussion.
The discussion covered the progress of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, concerns across multicultural communities about damaging political debates on migration and diversity, and the upcoming Victorian election.
Naomi Levin, JCCV CEO, also met with Louise Perry, interim chair of the VMC. Louise will help transition the VMC to Multicultural Victoria once the legislation passes. They discussed practical ways to build stronger and more sustainable relationships between Victoria’s diverse cultural groups, as well as the importance of ensuring that the Royal Commission’s December recommendations are adopted by the Victorian Government to benefit all communities.
Royal Commission updates
Building the evidence for change
This week, public hearings at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion continued into key drivers of antisemitism, how individuals become radicalised or are driven to antisemitic views, and government responses to radicalisation.
Witnesses included representatives from youth justice and corrections, the head of the national charity regulator, and the head of Snap, parent company of Snapchat. The Commissioner also heard from Canadian former jihadist Mubinoddin Shaikh, who said that preventing violent behaviour is not enough; beliefs must also be changed because, he said, beliefs lead to action.
Next week, the final hearing block begins and will take a look at social cohesion. Following the last fortnight of public hearings, the Commissioner’s attention will turn to writing the final report and recommendations, due in December.
Follow the Royal Commission
There are many ways to keep up to date with the progress of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
- Watch hearings live or review transcripts – ASC
- Keep-up-to-date during the hearings – AJN
- Watch clips from evidence – @ecajoz on Instagram
- Read summaries of each hearing block – ShareYourStory
Building a clearer picture
Tomorrow night, we will hear directly from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion at the JCCV’s August Plenum.
Rebecca Carpenter, Head of Engagement for the Royal Commission, will join us to provide an update on the Commission’s work, its engagement with the Jewish community and what comes next as it moves towards its final report.
Importantly, there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions directly. If there is something about the Commission’s work, process or next steps that you would like to understand better, this is an opportunity to hear the answer firsthand.
If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so today. Registration closes at 12pm tomorrow.
Building our future: Gen26
Gen26 is another opportunity for our community to have a voice in planning for the future of Jewish life in Australia.
The survey will open soon, and I encourage everyone to take part. The more people who participate, the more useful the picture we build of our community will be.
The JCCV is proud to be leading the Victorian rollout of Gen26, and we will share more information when the survey opens.
