ETHICS
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UNMASKING OUR VOICES!
hat could go wrong in 2021 to stall Diocesan’s annual Soapbox Competition? That was the question on the lips of the Ethics Council. We had already experienced two short lockdowns in the first term and feared that we would once again have to organise an online competition without audience participation, as we had in 2020. And so, we came up with the slogan ‘Unmask Your Voice!’ to launch the 2021 Soapbox Competition. The competition provides us with the wonderful opportunity to express our opinions and speak frankly and freely about issues close to our hearts. Our freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. By voicing our opinions and speaking about what truly matters to us, we can work to bring about positive change in society. The idea behind Soapbox is to create a safe space in which everyone is free to express their opinions. At the Soapbox
assembly, Arielle Friedlander, Deputy Prefect of the Ethics Council, said: “Soapbox offers what is a true safe space, a space of freedom, respect and earnest interest, even with disagreement. By having a range of speakers on varied issues present to a student audience across the first term, and then the finalists in front of the entire school, we have started discussions. These allow our students to feel safe by grappling with their own ideas, knowing that they will have the respect – even though they might disagree – of their peers and teachers.” During the Soapbox assembly, our MC, James Easteal, moved the final along at a cracking pace and entertained the audience with his amusing jokes. While the judges were deliberating, he rounded up some teachers to present their opinions – something everyone enjoyed. Ethics Council Prefect Shania Kumar described Soapbox as a pivotal experience when students are
encouraged to start talking about issues they want to challenge and progress. Over Shania’s years at school, Soapbox has provided her with the opportunity to speak on ethical issues such as gender inequality, racial injustice, gene editing, child marriage, body image and stereotypes. It provides a platform to change injustices present in society. Shania urged the students on, saying: “Our freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. By voicing our opinions and speaking on what truly matters to us, we move forward in bringing about positive change in society. In our current world, it is often difficult to catalyse change and see yourself making a difference. I encourage you to start talking about issues you want to change and progress from there. As Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’.” Congratulations to the 200 girls who shared their opinions with us in heats, Ethics committee 2021
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