In 30 articles, the Universal Declaration sets out the basic rights that each person shares, regardless of gender, race or religion. These basic rights aim to ensure the common dignity of each person. Australia is rightly regarded as a leading nation in the protection of human rights. We have a culture that is broadly accepting of others and sophisticated legal mechanisms to guard against discrimination. However, we are not perfect.
Much important work remains to be done.
Indigenous Australians still lag far behind non-Indigenous Australians in such basic concerns as health, education and employment. In the workplace, discrimination continues to be encountered by women, older people, people with disabilities and people of different racial backgrounds. Although we have federal anti-discrimination laws that people can turn to, this alone is not enough. Education, particularly education in the workplace, is just as vital as this allows us to counter and prevent discrimination from occurring in the first place. Business and industry are increasingly recognising the value of human rights education in the workplace.