Equality Overview
“It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, they send forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
- Robert Kennedy
What is ‘Equality’?
The LSS Equality portfolio has long been guided by four key principles: Awareness, Access, Acceptance & Opportunity. This year we aim to build from the work of previous Equality Directors, in providing services to students aimed at encouraging increased student awareness about equality issues, equal access for all to opportunities within and beyond the law school, acceptance of a diversifying student environment, and the ability to embrace new and exciting opportunities.
The Equality portfolio encompasses the Environments, Women’s, Queer and Social Justice portfolios. Together we aim to provide students with an action-packed 2010 full of activities, events, talks, career guidance and encourage open dialogue on pressing social issues. Already this year, we have had a Queer Film Night, Sustainability Week activities, and celebrations for International Womens Day. For more information on each of these areas, please click on the individual hyperlinks.
Equality’s Vision
1. To create an environment of active celebration of diversity as opposed to a passive tolerance of equality issues;
2. To tackle the challenge of an evolving Law School student population, by communicating with JD and LLB students as to their respective equality needs;
3. To facilitate a more visible social role for the LSS; and
4. To develop a strong and cohesive team of equality representatives on the LSS to deal with a changing law school environment.
The Year Ahead
“BEYOND LAW SCHOOL“- CAREERS FORTNIGHT
This year we will be co-organsing a Beyond Law School Fortnight together with the Careers Portfolio, which will run from Monday 19th April to Thursday 29th April. The fortnight will be run as follows. Pencil it in your diaries!
· Monday 19th – Entertainment & Sports + Grand Opening
· Tuesday 20th – Government Lawyering
· Wednesday 21st – Environment Lawyering
· Thursday 23rd – Commerical Lawyering
· Monday 26th – Public Interest Lawyering
· Tuesday 27th – Law Reform
· Wednesday 28th – International Lawyering
· Thursday 29th – Bench and Bar + Cocktail Party.
LIVING BOOK SCHEME
The Living Book Scheme assists students struggling financially by providing free text books. Semester 1 Applications are now closed. But keep your eyes peeled for updates on the Semester 2 process.
‘EQUAL’ = ANNUAL EQUALITY PUBLICATION
We will publish our 2010 publication "EQUAL" in the latter half of the year. It will be an opportunity to celebrate student opinion, experience and a range of different equality-inspired issues.
We will invite submissions at the end of Semester 1 and half way through Semester 2. For more information, email us at lss-equality@unimelb.edu.au. It is an excellent opportunity to get some experience in a renowned publication.
For more information on any of the aforementioned, or to share something your doing with us, shoot us an email at lss-equality@unimelb.edu.au
We'd love to hear from you!
Pen Ward & Bruce Hardy
Equality Co-Directors 2010