President’s Report

I have been enormously bothered by the murder of George Floyd and the anger, frustration and violence that has exploded across America, along with protests in solidarity around the world. It is a long way from SA/NT, but in these troubled times, I wanted to remind you, that what we do in advancing education is critical. Only education can unlock the social, cultural, and economic progress that is necessary to reduce barriers between people, so we can move forward together. Michelle Obama put it far more eloquently:

“The ability to read, write, and analyse; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in that door and take your seat at that table – all of that starts with education.” 

Sadly, intolerance and prejudice are not unique to the United States. Many nations, including India, where I was born, and Australia, where I have chosen to build my future, struggle with truth and reconciliation following generations of inattention, inequity, and racism. I too am reminded of the biblical command in the Gospel of Mathew, “to first remove the log from my own eye, to see clearly to then remove the speck of my brother’s eye”, and I am determined not to point fingers or cast stones. Instead, this is a timely reminder that what we do and the institutions we support, matter.

So, what can you and I do, at such a fraught time? I would suggest three things.

Firstly, we need to talk about it. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Secondly, we must call out transgressions. Dr. King also reminded us that “the time is always right to do what is right.”

Lastly, we must embrace our role in our educational institutions, on our campuses and in our communities, to support the role that education plays in advancing a more just and equitable society.

Speak up, stand up and keep going. It is that simple.

Abhra Bhattacharjee
President, SA/NT