As part of Cultural Diversity Week, we are hosting this one day forum focusing on the significant contribution that sport is making to the social inclusion and successful settlement of refugees, including documented advances in literacy and numeracy.
The event will highlight the great progress that is being made at the grass roots level via case studies and documented evidence as well as seeking to identify ways to accelerate the spread of these positive outcomes by utilising a collaborative stakeholder approach across communities.
Features of the forum will include:
- discussion of current policy directions
- inspirational speakers including, Peter Kenyon, a world authority on building inclusive communities and Ahmed Dini, 2012 Young Australian of the Year
- practical case studies and knowledge sharing
- identifying what works in the field, including improved retention at secondary schools
- discussing strategies to spread what works across communities
Attendees will receive a copy of a thesis documenting the advantages of a school – community collaborative partnership in western Melbourne, which demonstrates how involvement in organised sport can have a direct impact on the overall wellbeing and learning outcomes of refugee students.
The school, Mother of God Primary School in Ardeer, has developed a number of tools that could be repeated in other schools, clubs, councils and community groups.
Who should attend
- social inclusion policy-makers from all levels of government
- individuals involved in social inclusion program initiatives and activities
- community development officers
- councillors