Developing and Enforcing Policies to Address Homophobic Bullying in Educational Institutions

Abstract

A co-presentation with representatives from the UK and South Africa as part of a panel on issues of homophobic bullying and policy, this talk focussed on the findings of my Phd thesis research about the Australian policy context. It also drew on my work on such projects as Writing Themselves In with researchers from La Trobe University, and reflected on a host of relevant Australian laws, policies, projects and programs. The talk was structured, by request, around responding to 6 key themes concerning the value of educational policy and legislation for tackling homophobic bullying in schools. Key concerns were the types of policies considering GLBTIQ students and issues governing educational institutions available in our countries, the history of how they were developed, transferable means for making policy on this issue "happen", best practice in terms of policy development, ideal frameworks of policy and the different nuances specific to our national contexts. The panel also responded to questions from the audience of UNESCO delegates, government, NGO, activist, policy officer, academics, uni-lateral and bi-lateral organisation representatives.