Having the second highest level of ethnic diversity in Melbourne, Moreland’s Multicultural Strategy is of key importance in embracing its non English speaking peoples. This means a commitment to a high level of access and communication with Council and helping ethnic groups take part in community life.
A number of initiatives show this commitment, including employing people from the non English speaking backgrounds, considering multicultural issues in decision making and presenting information in a variety of ways to ensure good communication.
“It is not just a matter of social development, the whole of Council is concerned with this issue,” said Councillor Stella Kariofyllidis.
It meets every month to look at matters of common concern between the different language groups. Council consults with the Ethnic Community
Council and the North West Ethnic Network to discuss broader issues that arise out of Federal and State Government policy changes, such as the restructure of Migrant Resource Centres. In this role, Council can help ethnic communities to understand how such changes can affect their communities.
Stella Kariofyllidis said that Council also has a role to play to assist ethnic communities in their dealings with other Governments and organisations.
“We are the first point of contact for many new arrivals,” she said.
