Courage to Care Victoria countering antisemitism

Melbourne’s Courage to Care is reaching schools across Victoria to increase awareness of the outcome of antisemitism.

With the growing concerns about rising levels of antisemitism and general racism in Victorian communities, Courage to Care is working to make a positive impact one school at a time.

They are on track to reach nearly 14,000 students across Victoria this year with their face-to-face Upstander education programs.

Their visit to Melbourne’s McKinnon Secondary College involved a group of trained volunteers visiting the school for the day. They were very well supported by the school leadership, especially Principal Michael Kan.

Victoria’s Courage to Care CEO Mike Zervos said: “We met with the school leadership beforehand and in consultation with them agreed to deliver programs to about 500 of their Year 8 students. Our main message is that being a bystander is not neutral and we must all consider what we can do to stamp out hate speech and inappropriate behaviour. Being an Upstander does take courage.  We plan to reach over one hundred schools this year and hope we get such a positive welcome every time.”