We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 175,000 students across Victoria.
It is only with the support of our wonderful community that we can truly make racism and discrimination a thing of the past.
At B’nai B’rith Courage to Care, we believe that ordinary people have the power to make a positive
difference to the lives of others by being Upstanders. Taking inspiration from real-life extraordinary
acts of courage, our Upstander Programs inspire people to make a real difference in their community
by standing up and taking action, creating real change.
Our Upstander Programs educate participants on how to counter the dangers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and bullying.
Delivered by our team of skilled and dedicated volunteers and featuring inspiring testimonies from Holocaust survivor speakers, our Upstander Programs promote acceptance of diversity within our community, transform bystander behaviour, and inspire participants to become Upstanders.
Upstander Programs encourage participants to become aware of their potential to make a positive difference, and offer practical tools for standing up against racism, bullying and prejudice by empowering participants to take positive action – in the schoolyard, workplaces, and in our communities.
We deliver Upstander Programs free of charge to secondary schools (SYP) and primary schools (MYP) across Victoria. Find out more or make a booking
Upstander Programs are also available for community groups and workplaces across Victoria. Find out more or make a booking.
We also offer Professional Learning programs for both primary and secondary school teachers. Find out more.
Online materials are available, and more are being developed for use across all Upstander Programs. Get in touch to find out more.
Hearing real stories of courage from past genocides such as the Holocaust is moving, impactful and above all, empowering.
By highlighting the extraordinary acts of ordinary people who intervened to save others, our survivor speaker stories show participants that they too can be Upstanders – in their own schools, workplaces and wider communities.
In doing so, we demonstrate how every individual has the power to make a positive difference by standing up in the face of injustice.
‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing’
This famous quote by Philosopher Edmund Burke captures the philosophy of our work.
To prompt good people to conquer evil, we invite our participants to challenge their own attitudes and behaviours, as well as those around them.
By encouraging participants to consider how they can become Upstanders, we contribute to maintaining a socially cohesive and accepting society.
Courage to Care programs are also available in other states. Visit Courage to Care NSW, Courage to Care Qld and Courage to Care WA to find out more.
We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 175,000 students across Victoria.
It is only with the support of our wonderful community that we can truly make racism and discrimination a thing of the past.
“The program links the past with current day perfectly. The students clearly made connections with Upstanders in WWII to current students/Upstanders and saw that they have the ability to be an Upstander.”
“The reward is the students’ reactions.”
“I believe this excursion to be one of the best that I have experienced in nearly 30 years of teaching. It was a credit to all concerned and such a program must be continued.”
“The talk by a survivor was listened to in silence, although there were over one hundred students present. Attendance is free, yet the ‘return’ in information gained and discussion generated is massive. I commend the Courage to Care volunteers and urge teachers to take advantage of this excellent program.”
“Very powerful, informative & brilliant in structure & organisation of content, and clearly got across the message of being an Upstander. Having the Holocaust Survivors share their stories made the session even more powerful in its message.”
“Very professional presentation, informative and engaging.”
“A wonderful PD – so impactful!”
“The biggest reward is when I see students understanding the message to to be Upstanders.”
“It’s eye-opening and teaches us much more than history and the Holocaust. It inspires you to be an individual and stand up for your beliefs. It made me realise that I can make a difference.”
“Relevant to so much in adolescents’ lives – bullying, acceptance, bigotry, etc. A wonderful program. Please come to our region again soon.”
‘The presentation was impressive, powerful and moving. I felt honoured to hear Peter’s story in person. I have already spoken to staff at school about how we might include it in our RRRR curriculum – you refreshed my motivation.’
“I have been volunteering with Courage to Care for 15 years and the longer I do so the more rewarding I find making young people aware of the consequences of being a bystander and the importance being an Upstander to help build a more just and cohesive community.”
“I found it so interesting and unbelievable to actually hear from a Holocaust survivor, I will always remember this.”
“I loved the Survivor’s testimony and definitely have takeaways for my classroom and entire school.”
“The personal stories made me reflect on the personal risks associated with me calling out behaviour vs. the unimaginable risks taken by Upstanders of the Holocaust.”
“A wonderful PD. So impactful”