A new program to support communities in their efforts to address cultural, racial and religious intolerance has been launched by the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson said the new Diverse Australia Program has an increased focus on addressing issues of intolerance, with more funding directed to areas of need. The program will provide funding support to local groups and organisations to tackle issues specific to each community while promoting respect and fairness.
“Last year I asked the Department to take a fresh look at the previous Living in Harmony program, which had been operating for ten years,” Laurie Ferguson said. “I wanted to ensure we were taking the best possible approach to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.”
Key elements of the new program include:
- a small grants scheme of up
to $5,000, which will
extend the reach of activities
and help build the capacity
of small organisations to
address community needs - ongoing year round funding,
which can be made available
to Local Governments,
community and other
organisations, to increase
responsiveness to emerging
issues of intolerance when
communities identify a
need.
The activities funded are aimed at bringing Australians from all backgrounds together in a positive and productive way.
“A key element of the Diverse Australia Program is that it works with different levels of government and community organisations to empower a local response to issues of racism and intolerance,” Laurie Ferguson said.
Harmony Day, celebrated each year on 21 March, remains a key event in the new program.
“In 2009, I would like to see schools, community groups, Local Governments and business all get behind Harmony Day and make it the best day of celebration ever,” the Parliamentary Secretary said.
Gosnells uses Harmony Day to reach new settlers
Western Australia’s City of Gosnells has strong Harmony Day credentials.
Under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s community funded grants program, the City recently completed its Community Acceptance Respect and Education (CARE) project.
Gosnells joins 38 other Councils which since 1999 have used program funds for projects to build stronger community relations in their areas and respond to issues of racial, religious or cultural intolerance.
CARE had its beginnings when Council staff found many new migrants and refugees moving into the City had a fear of perceived authority figures such as police officers and transit police. And this fear can sometimes stop them getting help when they need it most.
Using $10,000 from the Department’s grant funding, Gosnells set up opportunities for recent arrivals to meet with representatives from the WA Police, the Public Transit Authority and other organisations.
Council also produced a reference card, printed in seven languages, that has contact details for health, employment, emergency and other important services.
The City introduced the new settlers to Gosnells various groups, such as Rotary and the Police and Citizens Youth Club, and very effectively tied CARE activities in with those of the local play group, Harmony Day 2008 celebrations and the Muslim community’s Ramadan Festival.
This March the City of Gosnells will build on its CARE success and celebrate Harmony Day with a People in Parks event on Sunday 22 March in Thornlie. The event will feature multicultural food, live music, children’s activities and displays from community groups and services.
The City has positioned this Harmony Day event as part of its summer series that encourages residents to visit local parks, enjoy free entertainment and get to know their neighbours.
