Community attitudes Key initiatives Council is undertaking to address these issues include: Establishing a Multicultural Interagency Network Collaborating with the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council Supporting cultural events and celebrations Capacity building of service provider staff with a focus on using interpreters and cultural awareness training Taking an active advocacy role by engaging with media, business and government agencies around the needs of new arrival communities Leading community education programs through schools and art projects Wodonga Council is committed to strengthening its work in this area into the future by pursuing funding opportunities that will build social cohesion programs, expanding the use of interpreter services, targeted policies and action plans, staff training and recruitment strategies that will increasingly enable Council to reflect the community it serves. A key partner organisation Council is working closely with is Gateway Health who are a leading service provider in working with migrant communities. Gateway Health promote the service as a migrant welcome zone, employ a refugee health nurse and provide multilingual information and resources. The organisation delivers some settlement services and also offers on-site interpreters. Key Issues and Discussion Key points that emerged through open discussion following presentations included: Challenges for regional Councils using interpreters in situations involving small communities. This remains an ongoing issue more so when an on-site interpreter is required. Some regional Councils are doing a lot of work with other local service providers to enhance understanding around when an interpreter needs to be accessed as well as issues related to working with interpreters. Addressing family violence in CALD communities is increasingly recognised as an issue in regional areas. Some Councils are using the and Safe’ program to raise the issue ‘Settled of family violence and impart information about Australian laws. Shepparton Council also run a Culture Club program based on information provision for new arrival communities and bring in a guest speaker on the subject. Councils are well placed to play a leadership role in employment initiatives for CALD communities, particularly around eliminating both perceived and actual barriers by working with communities and employers. Youth unemployment continues to be a major issue in regional areas. Ballarat Council have achieved good outcomes in employment for migrant communities by engaging local businesses to provide work experience opportunities. They run cultural awareness training for local businesses and train community members to apply for jobs. These initiatives have led to sustainable employment outcomes.
Community attitudes Key initiatives Council is undertaking to address these issues include: Establishing a Multicultural Interagency Network Collaborating with the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council Supporting cultural events and celebrations Capacity building of service provider staff with a focus on using interpreters and cultural awareness training Taking an active advocacy role by engaging with media, business and government agencies around the needs of new arrival communities Leading community education programs through schools and art projects Wodonga Council is committed to strengthening its work in this area into the future by pursuing funding opportunities that will build social cohesion programs, expanding the use of interpreter services, targeted policies and action plans, staff training and recruitment strategies that will increasingly enable Council to reflect the community it serves. A key partner organisation Council is working closely with is Gateway Health who are a leading service provider in working with migrant communities. Gateway Health promote the service as a migrant welcome zone, employ a refugee health nurse and provide multilingual information and resources. The organisation delivers some settlement services and also offers on-site interpreters. Key Issues and Discussion Key points that emerged through open discussion following presentations included: Challenges for regional Councils using interpreters in situations involving small communities. This remains an ongoing issue more so when an on-site interpreter is required. Some regional Councils are doing a lot of work with other local service providers to enhance understanding around when an interpreter needs to be accessed as well as issues related to working with interpreters. Addressing family violence in CALD communities is increasingly recognised as an issue in regional areas. Some Councils are using the ‘Settled and Safe’ program to raise the issue of family violence and impart information about Australian laws. Shepparton Council also run a Culture Club program based on information provision for new arrival communities and bring in a guest speaker on the subject. Councils are well placed to play a leadership role in employment initiatives for CALD communities, particularly around eliminating both perceived and actual barriers by working with communities and employers. Youth unemployment continues to be a major issue in regional areas. Ballarat Council have achieved good outcomes in employment for migrant communities by engaging local businesses to provide work experience opportunities. They run cultural awareness training for local businesses and train community members to apply for jobs. These initiatives have led to sustainable employment outcomes.
Multicultural-2014-Opportunities-for-Partnerships-conference-report-19oct14.docx