Let’s celebrate our diversity this Respect at Uni Week!
‘Respect’ is a word we hear a lot, but what does it really mean and how do we demonstrate it every day? How do other people know that we respect them?
To respect someone is ‘to show regard or consideration for them’ and ‘to hold them in esteem or honour’. So, basically, it’s about being a good person and treating others well. Simple, right?
Well, not always. The different relationships we have can be complex, and that’s why Victorian universities are once again uniting in 2024 to celebrate the annual Respect at Uni Week (Monday 18–Friday 22 March). At Deakin this year, we will be simultaneously celebrating cultural diversity while promoting the importance of respect, inclusion, and the prevention of sexual harm in our campuses, online spaces, and broader communities.
Remember it’s up to all of us to create a safe and inclusive culture in which everyone in our University community can thrive and feel supported.
Join us for Respect at Uni Week
Check out the events on your campus and online to get involved and proudly champion our diversity. Visit the Respect at Uni Week webpage for full event details.
To kick things off early, tune into our special two-part episode series of Deakin’s Respect. Thrive. Belong. podcast uncovering how Deakin Residential Services prioritises belonging, inclusion, and safety for students who call Deakin home. From strategies that encourage community participation to understanding the unique experiences of students in regional versus metropolitan areas, we’ll delve into it all from a staff and student perspective. Listen to the podcast now
Submit your favourite global song now!
Did you know Deakin welcomes students from more than 120 countries? This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Nothing says celebration more than music, so we’re creating a Global Playlist with your favourite tracks from around the globe to showcase the cultures of our student population.
Deakin will be launching the playlist on Monday 18 March, and you’ll hear it playing across campus during Respect at Uni Week events (you’ll also be able to download it later for your study and party needs!).
Share your favourite song with us and you’ll also go in the draw to win one of two Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Cameras with 60 film pack worth $159! Submit your request using the form below and we’ll add it to our Spotify playlist. You’ve got until 5pm on Friday 22 March to enter the competition.
Any songs with explicit references or profanity will be excluded from the final playlist, so keep it clean! Enter here.
Do you need support?
Deakin is always here to help you. Deakin has excellent free and confidential services, including:
- Safer Community, which provides support with sexual assault, sexual harassment, or family violence (recent, historical and either on- or off-campus).
- Our health and wellbeing services, which include counselling, medical, disability support and spiritual wellbeing.
There are also external support services, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), which provides 24/7 information, counselling and support for people affected by family violence and sexual harm. In an emergency, always call Victoria Police on Triple Zero (000).
During Respect at Uni Week, Deakin will also be launching an upgrade to the SafeZone app. You can still use the SafeZone app to contact the Campus Support Team and request a First Aid response, however you can now also use the app to connect with Welfare Assist. Find more details and instructions on downloading the app via the SafeZone webpage.
This blog post was originally posted on Deakin Life.