We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 200,000 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 only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing’ – Philosopher Edmund Burke
For more than 30 years, Courage to Care Victoria has delivered education programs that empower and inspire students to speak up and act when witnessing discrimination or injustice, enabling them to make a real difference in their communities and beyond.
We call these students ‘Upstanders’ — people who speak up and take action, rather than staying silent.
What began as a small exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia has now grown into a registered not-for-profit organisation, reaching more than 200,000 students statewide. Today, Courage to Care remains proudly apolitical and non-advocacy in nature, focused on education with a universal mission: to educate and empower young people to challenge prejudice and discrimination in all its forms, and to inspire Upstander action in communities across Victoria.
Courage to Care programs are delivered in person by a team of skilled and dedicated volunteer facilitators. Through powerful personal testimonies from Holocaust Survivor Speakers, or custodians of their stories, students hear firsthand accounts that bring history to life and show the impact of having the courage to care.
Our free Upstander Programs are available to primary and secondary schools across Victoria, including regional and rural areas. Students leave with a deeper understanding of the impact of their choices and the confidence and practical tools to stand up for others.
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.
At Courage to Care, we believe ordinary people have the power to make a positive difference by choosing to be Upstanders — individuals who act when they witness discrimination or injustice. Inspired by real-life acts of extraordinary courage, our Upstander Programs educate and empower students to stand up against prejudice, antisemitism, racism and all forms of hate, creating real and lasting change in their classrooms and communities.
Courage to Care programs are also available in other states. Visit couragetocare.org.au to find out more.
We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 200,000 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”