Polish-born Australian sociologist and friend of the late Pope John Paul II, Jerzy Zubrzycki, also known as the "Father of Australian Multiculturalism", has died in Canberra aged 89. Zubrzycki was the founding professor of sociology at the Australian National University and is also widely recognised as a founding member of the Pontificial Academy of Social Sciences, a Vatican research institute, Christian Today reports.
He played a leading role in the development of multiculturalism policy during the 1970s and was an adviser to the Whitlam, Fraser and Howard governments, Christian Today says.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser described him as a man of "remarkable foresight".
"He recognised the problems associated with a narrow, Anglo-Saxon society which Australia had been - up to, if you like, the Second World War," Mr Fraser was quoted by The Australian.
"He believed passionately that people should be treated as equal, and that being a good Australian didn't require people to give up their country of origin."
Professor Zubrzycki is survived by his wife, Alexandra, four children and eight grandchildren.
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Source (CTHN)
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