Our multicultural policy adviser:
- addresses sectoral local government issues to enable increased responsiveness to cultural diversity
- supports strategic and social planning to inform local government diversity policy and service development
- develops partnerships and relationships between local government and ethnic community sectors
- assists local government with advocacy to advance the multicultural affairs agenda
- networks with relevant peak bodies and committees
- supports and promotes the Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network (VLGMIN)
- works closely with other levels of government on cultural diversity issues
This position is currently funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Health to work with councils on home and community care services.
It is also funded by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) to work with councils on the Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) Program.
Multicultural Issues eNetwork
We maintain an email distribution list for local government staff responsible for multicultural services and policy development. The enetwork regularly disseminates information on new resources, upcoming forums and events, news and advice.
To join the enetwork, email Con Pagonis at cpagonis@mav.asn.au
Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network
We have a close partnership with the VLGMIN.
VLGMIN shares information between councils, advocates on behalf of councils and promotes best practice in cultural diversity.
Its members are local government staff responsible for multicultural services and policy development.
The network also:
- provides advice and contacts for ethnic services, and access and equity projects
- lobbies on issues affecting multicultural affairs, including by making submissions
- holds forums, working groups and bi-monthly meetings
To join VLGMIN, email Biljana Komnenovic at biljana.komnenovic@cgd.vic.gov.au
Inquiry into multiculturalism in Australia
A submission to the Australian Parliament Joint Standing Committee on Migration's inquiry into multiculturalism in Australia was made in 2011.
Free council services & events
Workplace English Language & Literacy (WELL) Information Session
We are hosting a free three-hour information session covering federal funding available for workforce planning and training as well as services available for workforce development. The session is aimed at council officers responsible for workforce planning/training and development and local government managers.
For information on this forum, please contact Isabel Osuna-Gatty on wellbroker@cshisc.com.au
The information session will be held on Friday 17 May. Register by Wednesday 15 May.
Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD)
LEAD is a pilot program to prevent discrimination and support cultural diversity within local communities and organisations.
The MAV is a LEAD Project implementing partner with VicHealth along with the City of Whittlesea, the City of Greater Shepparton and other organisations.
Interpreting services
The federal government’s Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) provides free interpreting services to local councils for many municipal services. For more information contact the TIS client liaison and promotions team on 1300 655 820 or at tispromo@immi.gov.au
Resettling visible migrants and refugees in regional and rural Australia
This project examined the social, economic and political factors that shaped the resettlement experiences of recently arrived visible migrants and refugees who live primarily in rural and regional areas.
Over four years the project documented and assessed the experiences of visible migrants and refugees by:
exploring their sense of identity and belonging
documenting their patterns of employment
documenting how their host communities responded and adapted to them
assessing the effectiveness of resettlement and other policies at the Commonwealth, state and local government levels
We ran a project information session for councils on 23 November 2012.
This project was run in partnership with the University of Melbourne and the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.