Australia’s modern history of multiculturalism, especially after the Second World War, has been held up as one of the success stories of Australia’s democracy but in recent times it appears to be under significant strain.

What can we do to repair and resume the previous cordial relations and cultural and religious exchanges? What are we going to do about the significant increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia?

Recorded at the University of Melbourne on 16 September 2024

In Pursuit of Knowledge is an ongoing series. Visit the website to watch previous episodes or attend an upcoming event in person or online.

WATCH: In Pursuit of Knowledge Episode 2: Strengthening multiculturalism in a time of conflict

Panel

Jon Faine: Host
Jon Faine is a renowned public broadcaster and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the Melbourne Law School with a roving commission across the University of Melbourne. (Image credit: James Braund)
Professor Karen Farquharson
Professor Karen Farquharson is an expert on the sociology of ‘race’, racism and diversity, particularly in the contexts of media and sport. She is a Professor of Sociology, Chair of the Anti-Racism Hallmark Research Initiative, and President of Academic Board at the University of Melbourne.
Professor Joseph Lo Bianco
Professor Joseph Lo Bianco is an expert in bilingual education, literacy studies and conflict mitigation with four decades of work in peacebuilding efforts in various South and Southeast Asian settings, especially Sri Lanka, Myanmar, South Thailand and Malaysia.
Professor Ghassan Hage
Professor Ghassan Hage is a Professorial Fellow of Anthropology and Social Theory at the University of Melbourne. He has held many visiting professorships around the world including at Harvard and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris.