Deakin law student promotes a different type of
'Aussie Rules'
Ali Abachi, Deakin Law Student, who has been working as a Community Education Officer on the Human Rights are Aussie Rules project, talks about this program and what a big difference it is making to the young children and their interactions with others.
As the only son of two academics, Ali Abachi grew up knowing that education is very important. In his recent role at the Human Rights are Aussie Rules project, Ali was able to combine his passion for Human Right Law with his belief in the importance of education.
The Human Rights are Aussie Rules project is an initiative of the Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC). It is a school-based education program teaching young children about human rights through the integration of game theory.
The program enables children to understand the complex meaning of freedom, respect, equality and dignity in a language that allows them to relate to the meanings and also equips them with the tools to emulate this on the playground and sports field.
Through this Community Education Program, Ali feels he has been able to help transform the approach of the young students he worked with. By increasing the children’s understanding of human rights, it helps to promote social inclusion and helps to reduce the incidence of racial, religious and cultural bullying and intolerance.
Ali explains that while the legal industry is naturally seen as a profession, which upholds and defends the rights of individuals or corporations, it is also a profession that is uniquely positioned in society to educate the community of its rights.
Ali says ‘I have felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction educating the youngest generation of our society about the importance of human rights. The ability to afford each other the most fundamental human right can affect the way we as individuals interact and respond to each other.‘
‘A real highlight of this experience was being invited up to Arnham Land in 2010 to conduct the Human Rights are Aussie Rules workshop as part of the Garma Festival. This was a unique opportunity to take the program to a truly cross-cultural audience.’
In 2010 Ali was awarded a Faculty of Business and Law Award for Contribution to Leadership Community Engagement for his contribution to this program.
On top of developing Ali’s skills in legal research, education and increasing his understanding in the area of Human Rights, being involved in the program has also given Ali tremendous insight in the intricacies of networking, lobbying and funding rounds, as these funding rounds help keep this program operating.
The Human Rights are Aussie Rules program also needs student volunteers to ensure it can keep offering it services to schools around the country.
If you are committed, passionate and interested in human rights law, and want to find out more about how you can become involved in this project, visit the Human Rights are Aussie Rules website.
