Monash University welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism.
Antisemitism has no place at Monash University or in Australian society. Standing against hatred in all its forms is fundamental to who we are as a university, and to our responsibility to foster safe, inclusive and respectful campuses.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering said the University remains unequivocal in its stance.
“Over the past almost two years I have consistently made plain to our community, the public and the Australian Parliament that there is no place or space for antisemitism – there must be zero tolerance,” Professor Pickering said.
“Together we have a responsibility to eradicate antisemitism on our campuses and, through our own actions in fostering peace and understanding, set an example to the broader community.”
Professor Pickering acknowledged the pain and fear experienced by members of the Jewish community following the recent antisemitic terror attack in Bondi, and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to safety and support.
“Fear too easily generates more fear – this is the insidious and cynical nature of terror – but with all members of our community standing together we can defeat it,” she said.
“I want to reassure all members of our community that Monash continues to work in full partnership with Victoria Police to ensure the safety of our campuses for all students and staff, and we are resolute in preventing unacceptable behaviour through increased and dedicated security and safety measures.”
Monash has deliberately leaned into difficult but necessary conversations, recognising that the foundations of peace and understanding lie in shared humanity, respectful dialogue and a willingness to listen.
“This is difficult work that we haven’t shied away from,” Professor Pickering said. “We have lent into difficult conversations, recognising that the foundations of peace and understanding are in our shared humanity and aspirations. We must now double down on this effort.”
The University’s work is aligned with the sector-wide commitment articulated by the Group of Eight, including the establishment of an Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism, and ongoing collaboration with the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.
At Monash, initiatives such as the Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism (MIRRA) underpin the University’s evidence-based approach to addressing antisemitism. MIRRA’s research and training investigate the causes, nature and remedies for antisemitism and support universities across Australia to better recognise, prevent and respond to antisemitism, while protecting academic freedom.
This work is complemented by the Monash Campus Cohesion Project examining experiences of antisemitism and Islamophobia, the creation of new student-led initiatives to foster respectful dialogue and common ground, and the expansion of the Brave Conversations program, which has already equipped more than 1,000 Monash academics with tools to support constructive dialogue in classrooms.
“These actions underpin our absolute commitment to stand against antisemitism and hate,” Professor Pickering said. “But they are not the sum of our commitment. We will and are doing more right across the University.”
Monash University remains steadfast in placing human connection, compassion and evidence-based action at the centre of its mission to build understanding and knowledge, and to contribute positively to a more inclusive and cohesive society.
MIRRA is just one of the various initiatives that is addressing antisemitism on our campuses and beyond. The University is also committed to:
Extending the Monash Campus Cohesion Project that is investigating the nature and experience of antisemitism and Islamophobia on Monash campuses. This work will release its first tranche of findings in the new year and will not only shape life at Monash, but the lives of students and staff at many other universities.
In direct response to overwhelming student feedback in the Campus Cohesion survey, we will create a new program, Finding Common Ground, that will fund student groups to develop initiatives for respectful dialogue, common purpose and understanding in ways that are student initiated and led.
Building on the success of the Brave Conversations Project, we will accelerate and extend this voluntary training to all academic staff including providing the paid availability for sessional and casual staff to undertake the training before or during semester one. The program has already equipped more than 1000 Monash academics with the tools and support needed to build classrooms where dialogue and disagreement are constructive and engaging pathways to learning and understanding.
