FECCA'S WEBSITE

THE AUSTRALIAN MOSAIC

The 17th edition of the Australian mosaic was released in November 2007. You can now view and download full articles in the Snippets section of our website or order past editions.

You can also download a subscription form if you wish to subscribe or renew your subscription. Keep visiting the website for more information.

Snippets from ISSUE 17 of the Australian mosaic, Australians all: the values debate:

Hon. Lyn Allison, Senator and Leader of the Australian Democrats
Ten years ago the notion of shared Australian values and their relationship to Australia’s history and its cultural and social diversity was not a topic thought necessary to discuss….

Hon. Kerry Nettle, Greens Senator
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews' election-inspired attack on African refugees has once again highlighted the willingness of the Howard government to engage in racial politics….

To order a hard copy please contact MaryAnn on (02) 6282 5755 or email her on admin@fecca.org.au

Issue 18 “Empowerment and Inclusion: settlement and beyond” comes out end of March.

FECCA CONGRESS 2007

• NEW: You can view some of the FECCA Congress photos from the e-gallery on the website.

• To view the range of speakers and presenters at the congress, and to access their speeches and presentations please visit the FECCA website at www.fecca.org.au and follow the prompts.

POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEES

To assist in the formulation and development of FECCA Policy, and to enhance its consultation process, FECCA will be reconstituting the “FECCA Policy Advisory Committees”. The committees will include:

1. Arts, culture and Heritage

2. Racism, Reconciliation and Multiculturalism

3. Regional Development

4. Women

5. Youth

6. New and Emerging Communities

If you are interested in sitting on any of the committees please contact Charles at policy@fecca.org.au or call on (02) 6282 5755 and he will put you in touch with the relevant individuals.

RECENT MEDIA RELEASES AND SUBMISSIONS

MEDIA RELEASES                         

February 2008
12/02/08   FECCA Applauds Apology to Stolen Generation
05/02/08   2020 Summit a Welcome Opportunity to Deliver Social Justice to Indigenous Communities
                and Recommit to Australian Multiculturalism.

January 2008
29/01/08   Citizenship Test Unfair to Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants
24/01/08   Recommitting to Multicultural Society on Australia Day
14/01/08   Increasing Christmas Island Detention no Solution

December 2007
10/12/07   Granting Asylum to Detainees a step in the Right Direction
07/12/07   AFI Awards highlight Australia’s Migrant Contribution to Our Society

SUBMISSIONS                             

FEB 2008   to DFAT on Australia's compliance to the UN CERD Convention 2002-2008
JAN 2008    to the Federal Government 2008-2009 Budget
DEC 2007   to Carers information Framework & Strategy

These can be downloaded from our website at www.fecca.org.au/Media_Releases.cfm for Media Releases, or http://www.fecca.org.au/submissions.cfm for Submissions.

FECCA WHITE RIBBON DAY EVENT

In November 2007, FECCA brought the White Ribbon Day to the CALD communities in the ACT when it hosted a FECCA/White Ribbon event. As a follow-up to this, FECCA will hold its workshop on Saturday 3 May 2008 at the Theo Notaras Building in Civic. The Workshops’ aim is to

• Engage Australian CALD communities in an international mainstream event and

• To provide a platform for diverse CALD communities to unite in a common and universal cause by pledging their support for the elimination of violence against women.

As Australia’s national peak body representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD), FECCA is inviting all local CALD community groups to show their support for the campaign at this forum.

The White Ribbon Day Campaign is an International Day held yearly on November 25, to draw attention to the message, to neither commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women.

The Campaign is in partnership with the White Ribbon Foundation.

For Photos on the November 07 function please visit the gallery on our website on www.fecca.org.au.

For more information about the FECCA initiative, contact:
Ms Leonie-Ruth Acland (FECCA Director) (02) 6282 5755; M: 0432 352 575 or Kaddie Pass (Senior Policy and Liaison Officer).

CITIZENSHIP TEST

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia (FECCA) welcomes the new Labor Government’s review of the Citizenship test, which has created bias against refugees and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

FECCA has maintained that the controversial test discriminates against refugees, humanitarian and family reunion entrants and those who have low literacy levels. FECCA Chair, Ms Voula Messimeri said the figures issued by the government highlight this fact and called for measures to address this.

In 2007 FECCA expressed grave concerns for the repercussions the test will bring to many already marginalised in our society; concerns that were confirmed by independent and expert academics who stated that the English used in the test was certainly out of reach of a basic user of English with limited education and/or limited familiarity with texts of this type.

FECCA anticipated a drop in applications for citizenship once the test was introduced which would result in social marginalisation and exclusion for many who would otherwise be loyal and productive citizens.

For further information on this please visit our website to view the various submissions and media releases FECCA put out on this topic. www.fecca.org.au.

FECCA Media Releases on Citizenship:

10/09/07   Hurdles and Barriers for Citizenship Unnecessary and Unwarranted
28/08/07   Citizenship Test not a fair go for Refugees
01/06/07   Fecca Calls for a Senate Enquiry on Citizenship Test
18/05/07   Citizenship Test fine for English speakers but bad news for vulnerable groups

Fecca Citizenship Submissions:

JUL  2007   to the Senate Inquiry into Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Testing) Bill 2007.
NOV 2006   to Discussion Paper “Australian Citizenship: Much More Than a Ceremony”.

THE APOLOGY, SOCIAL COHESION AND THE FUTURE

Wednesday February 13, 2008 made its way into the history books of Australia when the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the new government made the long awaited apology to the ‘stolen generation’.

FECCA congratulates the Prime Minister and welcomes the opposition’s acceptance for a bipartisan approach on this issue, which is far too important to ignore.

The apology must be seen as pivotal to building a new and contemporary 21st Century society based on inclusiveness, acceptance and justice for the whole Australian community.

Steps must now be put in place to end all forms of racial discrimination and prejudices through the promotion of tolerance and acceptance.

The bipartisan support that has been shown is necessary in developing a social cohesion policy that is aimed at providing lasting solutions to health, housing, education and employment needs of all Australians, and in particular those communities that are vulnerable e.g. Indigenous Australians, refugees and humanitarian entrants.

We are optimistic that this apology will go a long way to heal the past and propel our nation into its next exciting chapter.

ILLAWARRA ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL (IECC)

“Welcome Here” A celebration of refugee culture in Wollongong
is a unique festival coordinated by the Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council.

Now reaching its third successful year “Welcome Here” creates opportunities for refugees, migrants and people who have recently arrived in the country and acknowledges their contribution in the community. For many who are new arrivals, their area of expertise is often seen as unemployable in government employment agencies. This festival is an initiative born out of the many CALD communities where skill areas are their traditional music, cooking or making items rather than paid employment. The festival aims to create a public space where people can exhibit and sell their work, perform, showcase, cater and make contacts to find employment in what they do well.

The festival falls on World Refugee Day June 20th. It features multicultural storytelling from Africa, India, Spain, Macedonia and Aboriginal Australia. There are art exhibits and crafts for sale from local refugee artists. Performers, musicians and poets entertain the crowds and service providers from many local and national organisations network and exchange information.

At the 2007 festival over 600 people from many diverse cultures filled the hall enjoying performances and stories from Vietnam, Croatia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Spain, Egypt, and Iraq, amongst other countries. People clapped, laughed and sang along and free food from different cultures was enjoyed by all. People from all corners of the globe mixed easily with each other in a relaxed and joyful environment.

As a result of the 2005 - 2007 festivals 3 projects have been initiated to assist refugees to create their own employment and be self sufficient. It aims to offer opportunities for education, training, certification and work experience where refugees can start their own businesses. The initiatives include:

1. A community garden project where people can grow their own vegetables (this will be delivered in conjunction with local organisations and members of the refugee community.

2. A social enterprise project for skilled craftspeople who have not been able to find employment to use their skills to create crafts, beads, clothing and sculpture. The project aims to launch their businesses at the 2008 festival, after which they would sell their wares at markets and trade fairs. Funding is currently being sought for this project.

3. Planning for a community kitchen project linking in with the recent traditional foods directory and IMS cooking group in the Illawarra.

The festival is centred around “welcoming” using the festival as an opportunity and launching pad to bridge the gaps between isolated refugees, migrants and the broader community.

IECC’s Multicultural Arts Officer, Ms Mignon Lee Warden coordinates the festival and works in partnership on the Welcome Here celebration of refugee culture with many local and national organisations. The festival is supported by Wollongong City Council, Australian Centre for Languages ( ACL), NSW Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors (STARTTS), Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS), South Eastern Area Health Services, Department of Community Services, BHP Steel, Healthy Cities Illawarra.

The multicultural arts officer position is auspiced by Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council and is funded by NSW Ministry for the ARTS.

For further details please contact Terrie Leoleos on terrie@iecc.org.au or call on (02) 42297566.

NEW BOOKS

To Firmer Ground: Restoring Hope in Australia.
This book was commissioned by the Australian Collaboration, of which FECCA is a member. In the book John Langmore asks whether Australia is at a tipping point, reflected in dissatisfaction with work/life imbalance, growing public debate about values and changing voter preferences. The quality of both personal and public life has been undermined by preoccupation with individual income maximisation and neglect of broader concerns such as climate change and growing inequality. To Firmer Ground proposes an alternative vision for this country that prioritises the wellbeing of all Australians, the common good of our society and a national contribution to global peace and justice.

In order to reach these goals, strong leadership from government would be required and policies would have to evolve. To Firmer Ground offers sharp analysis of the critical issues confronting Australia that require immediate attention, and provides a persuasive, hopeful and practical set of solutions – an alternative vision for Australia that emphasises greater security, social justice and vitality.

Barry Jones writes that the book ‘presents a comprehensive analysis of Australia that is fair and balanced yet passionate and imperative, and closes with a powerful appeal, ‘A Way Forward’. The book addresses eleven major issues, all important, most urgent and some apocalyptic. Australians will do well to heed the advice.’ The issues include climate change, education, employment, health, housing, reinvigorated multiculturalism, justice for Indigenous Australians and global security and justice.

John Langmore is a Professorial Fellow in the Political Science Department at the University of Melbourne. Between 1997 and 2002 he was Director of the United Nations’ Division for Social Policy and Development in New York and for the previous 12 years he was the Member for Fraser in the Federal Parliament.

FECCA has a limited number of John Langmore’s book - To Firmer Ground: Restoring Hope in Australia.

UNSW Press,  $32.95
FECCA,          $28.00

If you wish to purchase a copy at below retail price please contact MaryAnn on (02) 6282 5755 or on admin@fecca.org.au.

ALLOFUS
It started simply enough; I was watching the television news in December of 2005. Thousands of people were descending on Sydney’s Cronulla beach for what appeared to be a racially based turf war: the surf club crew versus the Lebanese boys. It looked ugly and very un-Australian. I asked myself: 'Is that what we want here?'.

Michel Lawrence was born in Sydney and grew up in Melbourne and has been photographing people all his life.

His work is represented in various private and public collections, most notably the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, the Museum of Modern Art at Heide, Melbourne University and a number of regional galleries including the large collection of portraits of Australian painters at the Castlemaine Gallery in Central Victoria.

His work also forms a part of the permanent collection of the Melbourne Performing Arts Museum and includes portraits of comedians, musicians, actors and theatrical producers from the 1970s and 1980s.

Michel has staged major exhibitions at Stuart Purves' Australian Galleries in both Melbourne and Sydney.

His book, Framed – Portraits of Australian Painters was published by Hardie Grant in 1998 and is now out of print.

His work has also been reproduced in major metropolitan newspapers and magazines such as The Australian, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Herald Sun, Good Weekend and Harpers Bazaar.

CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY

Changes coming for separated families.

The Child Support Agency (CSA) is asking multicultural communities and service providers to help separated families understand the changes to the Child Support Scheme starting on 1 July 2008.

CSA supports separated parents to calculate, collect and transfer child support payments for the benefit of their children.

For those parents who can’t come to their own arrangements, CSA works out how much money a parent should pay to the other parent to help raise the children and also makes sure this money is paid. These payments are called ‘child support’.

The new Child Support Scheme aims to better balance the interests of both parents and focus more on the needs and researched costs of the children.

Changes to the Scheme also aim to reduce conflict between parents about parenting arrangements, support shared parental responsibility, and ensure child support is paid in full and on time.

CSA General Manager Mr Matt Miller said the Agency wants to let all separated families from multicultural backgrounds know that the changes are coming.

“The CSA is reassessing all child support cases in the lead up to the new Scheme, and child support customers will be mailed new assessments between March and May this year,” Mr Miller said.

The assessment notice shows how much child support is to be paid or received from 1 July.

“Customers will be asked to check if the details on their assessment are correct. We are encouraging customers to call us if the details are incorrect as they may end up paying or receiving the wrong amount of child support.”

Customers receiving family assistance payments from Centrelink should check if they are a child support customer. If their child support assessment is incorrect they may not receive the family assistance they are entitled to.

“A child support and family assistance estimator will soon be available online to allow separated parents to estimate how much they will be paying or receiving under the new Scheme,” Mr Miller said.

“Community organisations, service providers and other groups that deal with separated parents can find more comprehensive information about the changes on the CSA website at www.csa.gov.au.

“Community organisations can use this information to help separated families understand the changes to the Scheme and how they affect the amount of child support they pay or receive.

“They can also encourage separated parents to keep their contact details up to date with CSA so they don’t miss important information, and to contact CSA if they think their new assessment is wrong when they get it.”

“We will continue to work with multicultural organisations like Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) and local Migrant Resource Centres to keep parents informed about the changes,” Mr Miller said.

For further information:
Child Support Agency
Phone: 1300 885 437
Web: www.csa.gov.au/schemereforms

AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL

New Year spirit lifts interest in volunteering overseas

Australia’s volunteering spirit is alive and well, but for organisations like Australian Volunteers International it is the post-Christmas and New Year period that generates the most interest in its overseas volunteer opportunities.

Between December and February, AVI’s website visits increased by up to 30 percent, expressions of interest in volunteering peaked, and attendance at its information sessions tripled in some capital cities.

For more information please contact

Christine Crosby
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Australian Volunteers International
Phone: +61 (0)3 9279 1763
Email: ccrosby@australianvolunteers.com.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

The Department of Health and Ageing has provided the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA) with $6 million to assist in the development of the capacity of non-government mental health organisations and other organisations delivering services relating to mental health. There are two opportunities:

• One-off grants of up to $40,000;

• 14 free, full day workshops around the country, designed to build stronger organisations.

ABOUT THE GRANTS:
MHCA invites a broad range of services to find out more and apply. MHCA is keen to hear from organisations working in: drug and alcohol rehabilitation, counselling, telephone help lines, family support services, men’s services, asylum seeker support, eating disorders, suicide prevention and addiction.

Grant application forms and information available at www.mhca.org.au from 1st February 2008.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS:
Providers of mental health services can also attend the 14 free, full day workshops around the country designed for building smarter and stronger not for profit organisations and also better projects. Everything from HR, IT and maintaining staff in a not for profit organisation will be covered.

For more information or to book please contact Rachelle Irving at rachelle.irving@mhca.org.au or (02) 6285 0812.

10TH NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE

The 10th National Rural Health Conference will be held in Cairns on 17-20 May 2009.  The first formal announcement will be the Call for Abstracts in May 2008.

THE NATIONAL NUTRITION NETWORKS CONFERENCE

PROPOSAL FOR A 4Rs CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008

Planning for an inclusive future for Australia – Sydney, 30 Sept -2 October 2008
PO BOX 20622 WORLD SQUARE NSW 2002 – LEVEL 3 280 PITT STREET SYDNEY 2000

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Simba Kipaya: telephone: 0448 266 775 email: simba.kippaya@gmail.com
Mukii Gachugu: telephone: 0407 540 531; email: mukii@iprimus.com.au
Freddie Mpelasoka: telephone: 0406 640 550; email: Freddie.Mpelasoka@csiro