Understanding is not simply a matter of developing empathy or gaining greater knowledge. Understanding also requires changing the style of thinking that initiates misunderstandings. For this reason the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding (MnM) is committed to developing a distinct approach to countering the thinking and habits that lead to misunderstandings between those who are Muslims and those who are not. This means that our analytical focus is directed not towards a clash of religions or cultures but rather towards the way in which different communities encounter each other.

These encounters take place within the context of a modern, globalised world characterized by the passing of the ‘Age of Europe’ and uncertainty about the future. This passing has not only economic, geopolitical and cultural consequences but also philosophical implications. This arises from the fact that so many of our tools for understanding the world have been forged against the backdrop of a European ‘appropriation of the world’. The contrast between what was considered European, and what was not, was fundamental to the way in which the world was perceived and understood.

To create better understanding we must address how Muslims fit into contemporary communities and cultures. This requires a different perspective that re-orients the way in which we understand the world and our place in it. By concentrating on relations between Muslims and non-Muslims the MnM not only announces the subject of its concerns, or the means by which the concerns of its subjects may be addressed, but also offers us the chance to re-imagine our world.

Barry Hindess, Cosmopolitanism, MnM Working Paper No 1.

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Poverty, social injustice, ignorance, intolerance and lack of hope are among the less well-understood enemies of peace in our world. It is therefore very satisfying to see a place of learning - the University of South Australia - wishing to develop an international research centre devoted to building understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim worlds. This is one of the issues of our times that must be addressed if we are to embrace an ethical and harmonious future and I respect the university for its foresight.

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Our nation, our region and our world comprise a rich diversity of cultures and religions. Understanding and intercultural respect are paramount issues for our future. I commend the University of South Australia for its commitment to developing a Centre of Excellence that will concentrate on building positive relations between Muslim and non-Muslim worlds, and I ask others to do all that they can to support this aim.

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Since earliest settlement, South Australia has been recognised as a place of understanding, tolerance and religious freedom, welcoming those from around the world to our shores. We have grown into a dynamic state, where we are now renowned for our arts and culture and our wonderful lifestyle.

Over our 175-year history, our capital city, Adelaide, has also gained a reputation as an 'education city'. Our five universities attract many students from across the globe, who build even stronger relationships between South Australia and the world.

The South Australian Government is strongly committed to multiculturalism and is proud to support the work of the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding in its efforts to promote trust, tolerance and understanding in this region and throughout the world.

The University of South Australia, and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, with their dedication to sharing knowledge and understanding amongst our wider community, make an enormous contribution to the life of our state and are to be congratulated for this most important work.

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I have pleasure in commending the University of South Australia for its efforts to build a better world through research, and specifically through a Centre of Excellence that will concentrate on building bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim worlds. This can only assist all peoples across our globe to achieve greater harmony and increase mutual respect.

 

The University of South Australia is proud to be working with former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke to deliver a new International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding devoted to ground-breaking research and creating positive change. This is fitting as this University is also home to the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, honouring his contribution to world peace - a goal to which he remains steadfastly committed.

Establishing this new Centre also goes to the heart of our University's core values of community engagement, cultural diversity, social justice, openness, and international relevance.

Bob Hawke explains below why this Centre is vital. We agree and hope you will share in this vision for bridging an emerging global divide.

Please look through this site to learn more about our vision and objectives.

I also ask you to get behind this important agenda by supporting the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding with your donation. We have secured generous Federal and State government grants but your support will help us to reach funding targets that will permanently secure a high level of expertise and quality projects. In seeking endowments the university will ensure that your interests are served through a worthy result. We are totally committed to excellence, with rigorous research effort, policy projects and international collaborations that deliver practical outcomes.

Thank you for considering your contribution to a viable global future.

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The Hon RJL Hawke
Former Prime Minister of Australia

At the opening of UniSA's Hawke Building in October 2007, the home of the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, the Hon Bob Hawke said: 

"One of the blessings of my life has been the ability to bring together disparate people to create common understanding in situations of dispute and confrontation.

It is now my great wish to play a part in finding solutions to one of the world's most difficult and dangerous problems: the basic lack of understanding and increasingly hostile tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim worlds.

The University of South Australia has accepted this challenge and will establish an International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding. The Centre will have a new focus on the triggers for prejudice that present barriers to dialogue.

Respected friends on the world stage have commended this initiative and I urge you all to actively support the establishment of the Centre and provide the impetus for it to vigorously pursue its objectives.

In our hope for a better world it's time to bring our intellectual resources together and, with empathy and goodwill, do something to achieve that end."

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Elizabeth Ho
Director, Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at UniSA

As Director of the Hawke Centre I am pleased to be supporting the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding, working with the originator of the idea, the Hon Bob Hawke and with colleagues in the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences to bring it to fruition.

The Hawke Centre is devoted to three things...Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future and the creation of this new research Centre of Excellence within the Hawke Research Institute is a clear expression of these values.

Our first collaboration supported the visit of Zainah Anwar to Adelaide for the 2009 Festival of Ideas. Zainah is project director for Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family.

Nelson Mandela, International Patron of the Hawke Centre, has said: 'As long as injustice and inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. We must become stronger still' (On receiving the Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International in 2006). 

I look forward to helping to progress these ideals and undertaking further collaborations with the new International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding.