Diverse faiths and cultures

Diverse faiths and cultures are one of the six focus areas in our Workplace Diversity Plan and one of six Employee Networks at Charles Sturt. It recognises people from different ethnic, nationality and language backgrounds, those with different religious and spiritual beliefs, and people who live within different societal structures and traditions. This area is sometimes called Culturally & Linguistically Diverse or the acronym CALD.

Diverse Faiths and Cultures Champion

Our Diverse Faith and Culture Champion advocates and promotes faith and culture matters amongst University stakeholders to progress cultural understanding and multi-faith inclusivity.

They support the university’s strategic objective of promoting a healthy, equitable and inclusive culture and outcomes within the Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2023-2025.

Colour profile photo of John McdDonald who is wearing glasses and standing on a walkway wearing glasses.

Professor John McDonald, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education

"I’m pleased to be in a Faith and Culture Diversity Champion role. Working with a network of staff, we aim to deepen cultural understanding and multi-faith inclusivity at Charles Sturt."

Diverse Faiths and Cultures Employee Network

The Diverse Faiths and Cultures Employee Network aims to provide a safe place for people to connect with one another and create dialogue around diversity, workplace inclusion and belonging at Charles Sturt.

The network unites people who share an identity or lived experience, and those who support them or those who would like to learn more about their perspectives and experiences. It's also a forum to raise issues of importance, provide feedback and guide decisions around University priorities and initiatives that impact you.

The inaugural Diverse Faiths and Cultures Network meeting was held on 14 September 2023 and was attended by staff from a range of areas across the university. The next online meeting will occur on Wednesday 19th June at 10am.

If you have questions, please email edi@csu.edu.au or contact Carli Baker.

2024 meeting dates

19th June 2024 10am  Meeting invitation

13th August 2024 1pm  Meeting invitation

9th October 2024 11am  Meeting invitation

3rd December 2024 2pm  Meeting invitation

Information, resources and support

We are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive and inclusive work environment for staff from diverse cultural backgrounds and faiths.

  • Campus facilities and spiritual support

    We recognise Australia’s rich diversity of spiritual and cultural practices and endeavour to support the religious and cultural obligations of our employees.

    Our campuses provide a range of inclusive spaces for staff and students of all faiths to use for prayer, reflection, meditation and contemplation. Facilities available on our campuses include:

    • Albury-Wodonga: Gordon Beavan Building, Building 673, Room 111.
    • Bathurst: Building 1454, Room 148.
    • Dubbo: Building 901, Room 132.
    • Orange: Building 1000, Room 202, Prayer Room. Building 1016, Room 101, Multifaith Room.
    • Port Macquarie: Building 802, room 1180.
    • Wagga Wagga: Building 472

    View campus maps at FM Central.

    There are also a number of faith-based initiatives on campuses including visits by local faith leaders and prayer groups. See Spirituality - Current Students for more information.

  • Flexible work

    Charles Sturt strives to create a fair and inclusive workplace including offering flexible work arrangements that help staff to balance their work and life commitments while meeting the operational needs of the University.

    Flexible hybrid, or remote work arrangements may be suitable for staff for a range of reasons, including to help comply with cultural and/or faith obligations.

    See Workplace flexibility to learn about our guiding principles around staff flexibility and explore what options may be available to you.

  • Leave

    In addition to the standard leave entitlements, Charles Sturt provides up to ten days per calendar year of special leave that can be utilised for a range of reasons including:

    • to meet cultural or religious obligations of significance;
    • for an employee who is a member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community to meet ceremonial obligations or prepare for or attend National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week functions

    See Leave - People and Culture for further information.

  • Support and contact

    Contact the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team if you need support or have questions.

  • Resources

    Find out about Australia's cultural and ethnic diversity with data from the 2021 ABS Census.

    Access a range of resources about culture and religion in Australia from the Diversity Council of Australia's website. You can log into this site with your Charles Sturt email.

    Discrimination is against the law. Visit the  Attorney General's website to find out more about your rights and responsibilities.

    Read the Australian Human Rights Commission's guide on how to have conversations about racism.

    Explore the Australian Government's 2024 Calendar of cultural and religious dates.