FECCA E-NEWS
February 2009

Welcome to FECCA’s first e-newsletter of 2009! FECCA thanks all who sent articles to this and previous e-news editions. We also encourage more contributions to future editions as this forum gives us information of what’s going on around the country. Please contact Charles at (02) 6282 5755 or email on policy@fecca.org.au if you have anything that you would like to share.

FECCA News:
  - Recent Media Releases, Submission & Policies
  - Victoria Bushfires
  - ECCWA-FECCA Women’s Conference
  - FECCA Conference 2009 - Call for Papers
  - Diverse Australia Program
  - FECCA Youth Chair wins award
  - Harmony Day
  - New Coin commemorates 60 Years of Citizenship
  - Australia’s Immigration Detention Centers Report

News & Opportunities:
  - Centrelink- Supporting Multicultural Australians
  - The African Communities Speak Out Report
  - Introducing “A Taste of Harmony”
  - Translating and Interpreting Services
  - Marketing to Australia’s Diverse Communities
  - Melbourne's first inter-faith gathering a huge success
  - Reporting Diversity Project
  - Diabetes Australia
  - MyLanguage
  - Victoria Multicultural Commission (VMC)
  - Upcoming Conferences
  - Calendar of Events

RECENT MEDIA RELEASES, SUBMISSIONS & POLICY POSITIONS

Victoria Bushfires

FECCA joins the rest of Australia in expressing our deepest sympathy to victims of the Victorian bushfires. We join with all Australians to support those whose lives have been devastated by the disaster.

For those who want to help you can do so by donating to the:

• Victorian Bushfire Fund, through the Red Cross appeal, by ringing 1800 811 700 or online at www.redcross.org.au.

FECCA encourages all our friends, members and affiliates to donate to the Red Cross Appeal to assist those in need and to help rebuild communities.

Our thoughts are with the many families and communities that have been affected by this terrible disaster.

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier of Victoria John Brumby have announced that a National Day of Mourning would be held on Sunday 22 February, 2009 to honour the victims of Victoria's devastating bushfires and to recognise the courage and tireless efforts of emergency service workers.

Bushfire Safety Information in Community Languages

Bushfire safety information can be accessed in community languages at the Victorian Government portal for fire safety messages. Go to www.fireready.vic.gov.au and select ‘language options’. For interpreters and other translated materials, contact Loriana Bethune, 03 8684 7937 (thanks to the Municipal Association of Victoria for this information sourced from their MAV bulletin).

ECCWA-FECCA Women’s Conference: Refugee and Immigrant Women: Setting the Social Inclusion Agenda

Date: 6 & 7 March 2009
Venue: Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, WA

BOOK NOW ONLY DAYS TO GO!

The conference will be attended by the Governor-General Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC.

The conference coincides with the celebrations of International Women’s Day and will bring together researchers, practitioners, policy makers, community members and organisations to:

• showcase the achievements of refugee and immigrant women

• share the knowledge, skills and expertise of refugee and immigrant women

• address barriers to accessing services

• develop strategies to fulfill the full potential of refugee and immigrant women

• ensure actions are developed and documented to improve social inclusion

• for refugee and immigrant women

• facilitate opportunities for networking and connections among delegates

Key speakers include the Hon Julie Bishop, MP, Dr Carmen Lawrence, Voula Messimeri, AM (FECCA Chair), Catherine Branson (President, Australian Human Rights Commission) and Elleni Bereded-Samuel (Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, Australian Social Inclusion Board Member).

This conference will feature a plethora of inspiring and interesting speakers from all walks of life and provide workshops covering a range of issues including Aboriginal reconciliation, childcare, regional and rural issues, seniors, housing, sport and recreation, family violence, mental health and youth.

Hundreds of people from around Australia will attend this conference in beautiful Fremantle.

For further details and bookings please contact: Nadia Loncar (ECCWA) on 08 92275322 or email: eccwa.women@iinet.net.au

Conference Website: http://www.multicultural.online.wa.gov.au/eccwa.

FECCA CONFERENCE-SHEPPARTON 2009 CALL FOR PAPERS

The 2009 FECCA Conference, Strengthening Multiculturalism and Building Social Inclusion, will be held at the Eastbank Centre, Shepparton, Victoria, on Thursday 29 and Friday 30, October, 2009.

Conference registration details, the conference program and website will be announced in the near future.

FECCA would now like to announce a call for papers for the conference breakout sessions, which will be further detailed on the forthcoming conference website.

FECCA is currently inviting high quality proposals to present papers or conduct workshops at breakout sessions in the streams listed below.

1. Social Inclusion and Multiculturalism
2. Regional Settlement (including secondary migration) and Families
3. Interfaith
4. Health, Aged Care, and Disability
5. Economic Participation and Skills
6. Refugee and Migrant Women
7. Environment, the Arts
8. Youth, Sport and Recreation

For information on abstract proposals, including submission details and due dates go to: http://www.fecca.org.au/PDF/Shepparton_call_for_papers.pdf.

Diverse Australia Program

The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Mr. Laurie Ferguson MP, has launched the Diverse Australia Program to support communities in their efforts to address cultural, racial and religious intolerance.

The Diverse Australia Program will work with different levels of government and community organisations to develop local response to issues of racism and intolerance.

"It is terrific news that the Federal Government acknowledges that racism is a problem in our society and is implementing policies to address this”, said Acting FECCA Chair, Beryl Mulder.

“FECCA would also like to see the development of educational and curriculum-based material and further programs that will effect institutional and attitudinal change among the broader Australian community.

“FECCA has long been concerned about racism and intolerance and just this week on Australia Day we have seen some isolated but disturbing incidents of racial intolerance in some of our larger cities and regional centres. Racism is not just confined to a few hot-spots. Stamping out racism requires national political leadership. It is good to see the Federal Government now moving in this direction.

“FECCA also welcomes the decision to retain Harmony Day on March 21. Harmony Day has developed into a day of national celebration for cultural diversity particularly in many of our schools. We should also never forget that March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which also commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa in 1960.

“Today’s announcement shows the government recognises that it needs to deal with racism and its causes. To retain its status as one of the world’s leading multicultural democracies Australia needs to continue to drive policies and programs that support cultural diversity, social inclusion and nondiscrimination. FECCA applauds this announcement”, concluded Beryl Mulder.

FECCA Youth Chair wins the 2008 Young People’s Human Rights Award

Alan Huynh, the FECCA Youth Chair was awarded the 2008 Young People’s Human Rights Medal.

Alan is a medical student at the University of Queensland and has worked tirelessly in the areas of multicultural community development, youth engagement and on global health issues.

Alan has held positions in various youth advisory committees including the Inspire Foundation, Australian Red Cross and with the Asia Pacific Model United Nations Conference. His passion as an advocate for the multicultural community and youth engagement earned him a spot as a youth ambassador on the 18th Ship for the World Youth in 2006.

In 2007 Alan was awarded Auburn Youth Citizen of the Year in recognition of his achievements and advocacy for young people and recently he was elected as one of the Vice Chairs of the Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Queensland (ECCQ).

We congratulate Alan on his achievements and are pleased to have him on our team.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day, now in its 10th year, is the national day when people focus on the identity that Australians share and celebrate the benefits our cultural diversity brings.

FECCA welcomes the decision by the Federal Government to retain Harmony Day on March 21. Harmony Day has developed into a day of national celebration for cultural diversity particularly in many of our schools. March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

This national event is administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to celebrate the cohesive and inclusive nature of our nation and to promote the benefits of cultural diversity.

For more information on how community organisations can register their events or order promotional material please visit:

http://www.harmony.gov.au/harmony-day/register-your-event.htm#a or call 1800 33 11 00.

Other important harmony day links include:

Your organisations can now download Harmony Day graphics:
http://www.harmony.gov.au/harmony-day/register-your-event.htm#d

This is a useful resource to help people promote their events:
http://www.harmony.gov.au/_docs/publicity-guide.pdfs

The Outcomes of the Review of Living in Harmony Program:
http://www.harmony.gov.au/_docs/living-in-harmony-program-review.pdf

The media release about the Diversity Australia program of which Harmony Day is a part:
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09005.htm.

New Coin commemorates 60 Years of Citizenship

The Government and the Royal Mint celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Australian Citizenship by releasing a collector coin.

The 2009 un-circulated one dollar citizenship coin design features the smiling faces of Australian citizens, each as individual as the country they originate from. When put together, the pieces of the puzzle behind the smiling faces build a map of Australia, symbolic of individuals coming together, building Australia and its future.

In 1948, the Australian Citizenship Act came into effect. Sixty years on over four million people have become Australian citizens, including some 120 000 from 200 countries in the 2007-08 program year.

FECCA commends the Government and the Royal Australian mint for releasing this collectible coin, as we reiterate the importance of Australian citizenship and the positive role it has and continues to play in Australia’s future. Becoming an Australian citizen promotes a sense of belonging and provides a gateway to full participation in the life of the Australian community.

For more information or images of the 60th Anniversary of Australian Citizenship coin please visit www.ramint.gov.au or call 1300 652 020.

Australia’s Immigration Detention
Centers Report

The Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes, called on the government to translate its 'new directions' for Australia's immigration
detention system into policy, practice and legislative change as soon as possible. Mr. Innes said this while releasing the 2008 Human Rights Commission report on conditions in immigration detention last January.

The report found that while there has been an improvement in the way Australia treats immigration detainees, there are still some children being held in detention facilities, people are still being detained for prolonged and indefinite periods and dilapidated detention centers are being used for accommodation.

The report contains recommendations which include:

• minimum standards for conditions and treatment of persons in immigration detention should be legislated

• the Migration Act should be amended so that immigration detention is the exception rather than the norm and the decision to detain a person is subject to prompt review by a court

• detention of people on Christmas Island should be ceased

• the recommendations of the national inquiry into children in immigration detention should be implemented by the government.

The report covers inspections of the immigration detention facilities around Australia, including Christmas Island, between June and September 2008. In addition to those listed above, the report contains a comprehensive set of recommendations about Australia's immigration detention system.

A summary fact sheet about the report is available at www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/sum_factsheet.html

The full report can be downloaded from
www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/idc2008.html.

Centrelink- Supporting Multicultural Australians Brochure

Centrelink has released a new publication titled "Supporting Multicultural Australians".

This brochure is designed to provide an easy-to-read overview of Centrelink's payments and services, specific to people from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds. It is translated into 35 languages, which are available on the Centrelink website.

For further information visit:
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/multifilestores/mcah1806_0810.

Launch of the African Communities Speak Out Report

On 27 November 2008, the leaders and members of South Australia’s diverse African communities came together to identify and discuss their shared issues, concerns and aspirations across a broad range of areas. These included education, employment and training, housing, health, family relationships, identity and integration, law and the police, leadership and governance, migration and family reunion, participation and social inclusion, and the rights and protection of children, youth and women.

The forum, hosted by the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA) and the Migrant Resource Centre of SA (MRCSA), generated much discussion and provided significant insights into the experiences and perceptions of African new arrivals to South Australia.

The “African Communities Speak Out” Report, entitled Making Our Voices Heard, was officially launched by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Carmel Zollo MLC, at the MRCSA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11 February 2009. This report provides a valuable blueprint for policy makers and service providers involved in the planning and delivery of services to African and other refugee new arrivals.

For additional information, or to obtain a copy of the report, contact:

Martin Maya at the ACCSA on (08) 8217 9520 or email at martin@accsa.com.au, or Matti Spellacy at the MRCSA (08) 8217 9510 or email at admin@mrcsa.com.au.

Introducing “A Taste of Harmony”

A Taste of Harmony is about recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity that exists in Australian workplaces. And what better way to do it than through food!

A Taste of Harmony is an inaugural event supported by The Scanlon Foundation, which will take place during the week of 16 March - 22 March 2009. The week coincides with National Harmony Day, which is held on 21 March.

The vision is for all workplaces - big or small - to participate by gathering colleagues together over a delicious lunch made up of foods from different lands, either at their workplace or at a participating restaurant.

So get involved in A Taste of Harmony and help celebrate our cultural diversity in the most delicious way!

For more information please visit http://www.tasteofharmony.org.au.

Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS)
TIS to expand interpreting services to pharmacies

In December 2008, the Federal Government announced that free telephone interpreting services would be available to pharmacies across Australia. Registered pharmacies across Australia are now able to access the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The decision follows the review of a six-month pilot program that extended free interpreting services to pharmacies. Pharmacies who participated in this pilot used interpreting services more frequently and reported improved outcomes in terms of client understanding of medicines.

In research undertaken by FECCA and NPS, communication problems between CALD health consumers and health professionals have frequently been cited as a barrier to the safe and effective use of medicines. We are therefore encouraging the promotion and uptake of the free interpreting service through our networks.

For more information about the interpreting service for pharmacies can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/help_with_translating/free-services.htm.

Cultural Perspectives Recognised as Leading the Way in Marketing to Australia’s Diverse Communities

Leading multicultural and indigenous research and Communications Company, Cultural Perspectives was named Australia’s Grand Winner of the 2008 Multicultural Marketing Awards at a gala event held at the Westin Hotel, Sydney on Tuesday 25 November. The award was presented by the NSW Minister for Citizenship, the Hon. Virginia Judge, MP.

Cultural Perspectives also took out the Advertising category award for managing the Australian Electoral Commission’s 2007 Federal election advertising campaign with Sydney advertising agency BMF.

The campaign was aimed at encouraging Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to participate in the democratic process of voting, and targeted 26 language groups through advertising, public relations, direct mail and community relations.

Cultural Perspectives Managing Director, Pino Migliorino, said he was thrilled that the work of the company was acknowledged in this way.

The awards, organised by the NSW Community Relations Commission, promote best practice in marketing and reward the efforts of businesses and organisations that focus on the cultural diversity of Australia in their overall marketing strategies.

For more information about Cultural Perspectives, visit www.culper.com.au.

Caption: L-R Chair of the NSW CRC, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian, Cultural Perspectives’ Rekha Sanghi, Pino Migliorino (Managing Director), NSW Minister for Citizenship, Virginia Judge, Cultural Perspectives’ Faye Spiteri (Practice Manager), Andrew Champion, Kristine Giddy, Deanna Chapman and Natalie Jurisic)

Photo Credit: Warren Duncan, NSW CRC.

Melbourne's first inter-faith gathering: A huge success

Over 700 people from a variety of cultural backgrounds gathered at Melbourne Town Hall on the afternoon of Sunday February 8 in a vibrant celebration of Melbourne’s religious and spiritual diversity.

“Melbourne: Making a Difference”, the first of many more Melbourne inter-faith events to come this year, featured culturally diverse music, dance, ritual and cuisines, as well as the discussion of reconciliation and climate change.

It was a preparatory event for the Parliament of the World’s Religions, the world’s largest global interfaith gathering, to be held in Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3-9 December, 2009.

Lead with a prayer for Victoria’s many heartbreaking bushfire victims, attendees also put their hand in their pockets and raised $2300 for the Red Cross Bushfire appeal. Attendees were then provided with inspiring insights into some of the major issues facing the globe. Tom Calma, Aboriginal Elder and Australian Human Rights Commissioner addressed reconciliation between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians while Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry discussed the challenge of climate change with a panel made of members from the Jewish, Buddhist and Catholic communities.

The evening finished with Azmeena and Nazeem Hussain of “Salem Café” fame playing host to a range of Indigenous and world music performers, while people were given a taste of the parliament experience through a traditional Sikh food offering served in City Square.

Please find attached some images of the Melbourne: Making a Difference Event as well as the media release for the upcoming Parliament of the World's Religions to be held from the 3-9 December 2009, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)
Conference May 28 & 29 2009
Jasper Hotel, Melbourne

Policy about Us, For Us! A Practical Revolution in the Lives of People with Disabilities

Call for Speakers
The Australian Federation of Disability organisation is a peak body which represents people with disability at the national level. In May 2009 we will be having our first conference. The program of the conference will focus on the recently ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and how it relates to Australia. The discussion of human rights will have a significant presence at the conference. Tina Minkowitz from the USA has agreed to be one of our key note speakers. Tina played an active role in the development of the UNCRPD and is a strong advocate for supported decision making.

Focusing on human rights the conference will have three strands.

• Capacity Building

• Monitoring

• Liberation

The Capacity Building strand will examine how we strengthen ourselves and our organisations to help the roll out of the UNCRPD. The convention specifically talks about the development of Disabled Persons Organisations but what does this look like in the Australian context? Where does advocacy and leadership fit in?

The Monitoring strand will look at how we monitor human rights in Australia. What tools can we use? How do we use this information to provide a shadow report to the UN? How do we use the information to improve our lives in Australia?

The Liberation strand discussed innovative programs and ideas that will help to free people with disability from our present restricted lives. Supported decision making, individualised funding, self directed supports, direct payments, the use of technology are just a few of the things that are having a revolutionary impact on people with disability both in Australia and overseas.
AFDO is keen to have a wide diversity of speakers at the conference. If you would like to present at the conference on one of the above strands we would like to hear from you. If you know of someone who would be good to speak let us know as well.

Email your suggestions to conference@afdo.org.au.

If you would like to discuss your ideas contact Lesley Hall on (03) 9662 3324 or lesley.hall@afdo.org.au.

For more information about the conference go to www.afdo.org.au. Join our conference list and you will be kept regularly updated.

Adult Multicultural Education Services

Beyond the Refugee Journey
A Humanitarian Settlement conference showcasing best practice settlement models and refugee achievements;

The Conference will present an opportunity to:

• explore innovative and effective models of settlement service provision

• assess the impact of pre-arrival experience on settlement

• celebrate the lives of refugees who have made Australia their home

Conference Dates: 21 - 22 - 23 July 2009

Further Conference information is be available on www.ames.net.au/settlementconference.

Calendar of Events