Exhibition: An Australia For The World
Hawke's Vision for Multiculturalism
AN AUSTRALIA FOR THE WORLD:
HAWKE'S VISION FOR MULTICULTURALISM
FEBRUARY - JUNE 2022
THE BOB HAWKE PRIME MINISTERIAL CENTRE'S KERRY PACKER CIVIC GALLERY
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm (Thursdays until 6pm)
Hawke Building Level 3, UniSA City West campus, 55 North Terrace, Adelaide MAP
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library
When speaking to the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia in 1989, Hawke proclaimed diversity as “a great source of new talents and ideas, a catalyst for social dynamism, a true source of wealth in both its cultural and economic senses”.
This exhibition reflects on the ideas that helped shape Hawke’s vision for a multicultural Australia – one that celebrates diversity and cultural understanding. The exhibition illustrates how Hawke’s abhorrence to racism influenced national and international affairs, and thus became an important part of his legacy.
Aspects of the exhibition cover Hawke’s international efforts for diversity, particularly his vocal opposition to Apartheid in South Africa, his relationship with Nelson Mandela, and the offer of refuge to Chinese students after the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.
At a national level, Hawke challenged the xenophobia targeted at migrant communities. The actions of the Hawke government brought us closer to our Asian neighbours, recognising them as fundamental to Australia’s prosperity. The success of Australian multiculturalism was largely due to his vision and his passion for inclusion. Policies, such as the Barunga Statement calling for a treaty with Aboriginal people, also feature in this exhibition.
Consideration is given to Hawke’s involvement with diverse cultural groups both during and after his time in parliament. The exhibition portrays his continued fight against racism in Australia through involvement in the Reconciliation movement, speaking out against Pauline Hanson and her supporters in the 1990s, and his work with the education sector to support cultural understanding through international education across the world. He also guided and supported the University of South Australia’s Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding (now known as Centre for Islamic Thought and Education), which aims to improve understanding and relations across cultures and faiths.
This exhibition can be viewed in the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery alongside the Hawke Centre’s Advancing Australia Fair, Bob Hawke and his Government exhibition. The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library welcomes you to explore the Bob Hawke Collection.
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library
Images Top: Right Clockwise: ALP’s 1987 policy Working together for a multicultural Australia; Prime Minister, (Bob Hawke Collection, unprocessed); Prime Minister, Bob Hawke at a citizenship ceremony in Preston, 1988 (RH24/4/52); Prime Minister, Bob Hawke with Deputy President of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela at Parliament House, 29 October 1990 (NAA: A6180, 29/10/90/16). Images Bottom: Right Clockwise: Prime Minister, Bob Hawke and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Clyde Holding with Kakadu school children in September 1985 (NAA: A6180, 11/9/85/6); Prime Minister, Bob Hawke at a citizenship ceremony in Preston, 1988 (RH24/4/52); Prime Minister, Bob Hawke with South African unionists, 6 June 1986 (NAA: A6180, 6/6/86/16).
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
