Changing emphases Multicultural policy has continued to evolve over the past decade. Since the 1989 National Agenda there has been a gradual shift in the emphases of the three key areas of multicultural policy set out in the National Agenda. These changes have moved the emphasis of multicultural policy from a somewhat focus to a more inclusive whole-of-community focus. The emphasis of the cultural identity programs has moved from helping migrant communities to maintain their cultural practices to encouraging all Australians to understand each other better and to share their heritage. In recent times there has been a growing awareness, and practice, of the benefits of cultural sharing and understanding. This can be seen, for instance, in many university and TAFE courses on cultural diversity, cross-cultural training courses and the development of diversity plans by business and government. Programs under the social justice area of multicultural policy initially placed most emphasis on the rights of clients who face language and cultural barriers when seeking services. More recently the emphasis has been on practically addressing the needs of clients that arise from cultural and linguistic factors. This new perspective is reflected in changes to the Access and Equity Strategy. In 1996 the Strategy was re-focused as a Charter of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse Society. The main focus of the Charter is the acceptance that a diverse client-base has diverse needs and that mainstream service providers ought to be aware of these needs, and act on this awareness. The aim is to respond to the needs of all clients in an open, way. The economic efficiency area of multicultural policy initially concentrated on the disadvantages that many migrants face in the workplace. These disadvantages are to do with difficulties in the recognition of overseas skills and the language and cultural barriers that migrants can face when looking for a job. Since the early 1990s the emphasis has moved to looking at the economic benefits that can arise directly from a diverse customer base and workforce. The Australian economy is a microcosm of the international marketplace making Australia an excellent test market as well as an ideal location for regional headquarters covering the Asian region. Programs have been developed to promote the use of our linguistic and cultural diversity for the economic benefit of Australia. This has helped to reposition us economically, both in the world and in our region.
Changing emphases Multicultural policy has continued to evolve over the past decade. Since the 1989 National Agenda there has been a gradual shift in the emphases of the three key areas of multicultural policy set out in the National Agenda. These changes have moved the emphasis of multicultural policy from a somewhat focus to a more inclusive whole-of-community focus. The emphasis of the cultural identity programs has moved from helping migrant communities to maintain their cultural practices to encouraging all Australians to understand each other better and to share their heritage. In recent times there has been a growing awareness, and practice, of the benefits of cultural sharing and understanding. This can be seen, for instance, in many university and TAFE courses on cultural diversity, cross-cultural training courses and the development of diversity plans by business and government. Programs under the social justice area of multicultural policy initially placed most emphasis on the rights of clients who face language and cultural barriers when seeking services. More recently the emphasis has been on practically addressing the needs of clients that arise from cultural and linguistic factors. This new perspective is reflected in changes to the Access and Equity Strategy. In 1996 the Strategy was re-focused as a Charter of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse Society. The main focus of the Charter is the acceptance that a diverse client-base has diverse needs and that mainstream service providers ought to be aware of these needs, and act on this awareness. The aim is to respond to the needs of all clients in an open, way. The economic efficiency area of multicultural policy initially concentrated on the disadvantages that many migrants face in the workplace. These disadvantages are to do with difficulties in the recognition of overseas skills and the language and cultural barriers that migrants can face when looking for a job. Since the early 1990s the emphasis has moved to looking at the economic benefits that can arise directly from a diverse customer base and workforce. The Australian economy is a microcosm of the international marketplace making Australia an excellent test market as well as an ideal location for regional headquarters covering the Asian region. Programs have been developed to promote the use of our linguistic and cultural diversity for the economic benefit of Australia. This has helped to reposition us economically, both in the world and in our region.
multicultural_australia_-_the_way_forward.docx