The Together We Stand Breakfast Forum was held on Friday 3 May at Glen Eira Town Hall. Guests included neighbouring Local Government Mayors and CEOs, Members of Parliament, faith-based leaders, local school principals and student representatives, community organisations and State Government departments.

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Jamie Hyams said the purpose of the Breakfast Forum was to promote inclusion for everyone, particularly related to ethnicity, culture, religion or belief.

“The Forum was important in helping us gain shared understanding of the impact that discrimination and hate has on some members of our community,” he said.

Anti Defamation Commission Chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said at a time when we are witnessing a dramatic upsurge in hate, racism and antisemitism across our nation, this timely gathering was more important than ever.

“I am grateful to the leadership and vision shown by Council and confident this Forum will send a message of strength and unity to the community at large,” he said.

Keynote speaker, cross-cultural consultant Tasneem Chopra, spoke about what role councils can play when religious and faith-based denominations feel they are being persecuted globally.

Dr Abramovich and Ms Chopra were also part of the panel discussion which was chaired by author and broadcaster Dr Rachael Kohn. The panel discussion also included presentations by Boon Wurrung Elder spokesperson N’Arweet Carolyn Briggs, counter-terrorism academic expert Professor Greg Barton and Superintendent Sharon McKinnon on behalf of Chief Commissioner Victoria Police.

In response to racial and religious intolerance, the following Together We Stand Joint Statement of Commitment was also signed by Cr Hyams, Dr Abramovich, Ms Briggs and invited attendees.

As community leaders we recognise that we have a responsibility to build a society that celebrates difference and promotes harmonious coexistence among peoples of varying religious faiths, ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientation and walks of life.

Together We Stand, united in our support for the freedom of individuals to express their religious and cultural beliefs and practices in safety, by:

• Declaring that all forms of racism and discrimination directed at people on the basis of their culture, faith,gender, age, ability or sexuality are fundamentally incompatible with Australia’s enduring ideals and valuesof inclusivity, pluralism and respect.
• Speaking out to challenge and confront bigotry and discrimination whenever and wherever it surfaces.
• Educating and raising awareness so as to promote harmony, inclusion and the vital importance of always standing up to hatred.

We pledge to work together across our communities, to embrace an Australia which revels in its diversity and ensures dignity and opportunity for all.