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 November 2005
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Feature article
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What's new at CMYI?
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Young Refugee Resettlement News
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Postcard from...
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From the Sector: New Resources and Events
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From the Sector: Programs, Projects and Services
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From the Sector: In the News
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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Victorian Government Announces Strategic Framework on Mentoring Young People
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On the 27th October 2005, the Victorian Government released a new strategic framework for mentoring programs for young people across the state. The Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Jacinta Allan, launched the Victorian Government’s Strategic Framework on Mentoring Young People 2005-2008 , which outlines good practice and sets out principles to guide the Government’s future investment in mentoring for young people.
Nosrat Hosseini, 19, an active participant in CMYI's M.C. Voiceraiser Mentoring Program, was the MC at the event. She spoke about her involvement in the program and some of the benefits of mentoring, particularly for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds.
As CMYI's Mentoring Project Worker, Anna Hutchens, describes: CLD young people often have fewer networks and supports and mentoring can be a really good strategy to increase young people’s opportunities for community connectedness and reduce feelings of isolation.
"The mentoring project has helped me to create links with other young people from a similar background," explains Zena, 18, another participant in the M.C. Voiceraiser Program.
"The mentors have been really great to get us involved in other areas and providing opportunities for projects. Being involved in the network has given me more direction on where I want to go and how I can get there," she says.
Three new demonstration projects, funded under the Government’s A Fairer Victoria social policy action plan, were also announced at the October launch. This included 2-year funding for CMYI to enter the next phase of the M.C. Voiceraiser Program, allowing for a full-time worker to continue and expand on the work already undertaken through the pilot.
The other two projects announced are located in rural areas in line with the Government’s focus on young people who are socially, economically or geographically isolated.
For more information about the M.C. Voiceraiser Program contact Anna Hutchens, ahutchens@cmyi.net.au or call (03) 9349 3466.
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WHAT'S NEW AT CMYI?
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New Position: African Youth and Family Community Project Worker
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The Multicultural Youth Action Group (MYAG) in the Southeast of Melbourne has been funded for a project that aims to increase connection to, and cultivate reciprocal relationships between, African young people and their families, and services and schools in the region. The project position is for two days a week for eleven months and will be based in Dandenong.
The project is auspiced by CMYI and run in conjunction with a range of partner organisations, including the South East Migrant Resource Centre and the Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture.
The successful applicant will have an ability to facilitate group and individual processes in working with African young people, an understanding of community development principles and strategies, ability to project manage as well as liaise and network with stakeholders.
For a copy of the Position Description please call Kim at Foundation House on 8791 2450. For more information, or any queries about the position, please call Mary Danckert at CMYI on 9349 3466.
Forward applications to: Att: Kim MacCarthy maccarthyk@survivors.org.au c/o Foundation House, Level 5, 280 Thomas Street, Dandenong 3175
Applications close Wednesday 7 December. Note: Applications must address the key selection criteria.
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December Statewide and End of Year Event
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CMYI will be launching its annual activities report at the final Statewide Network meeting for 2005 on Wednesday 7th December, 9.30am-12.30pm. The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, will be launching the report. Christos Tsiolkas, acclaimed author of Loaded and Dead Europe, will also be speaking at the event on ‘Multiculturalism, racism and young people’.
The meeting will be held at Garvey House, Treacy Conference Centre (www.treacycentre.com.au), 126 The Avenue, Parkville. For more information about the Statewide Network, contact Alison Coelho, Community Policy Officer, on acoelho@cmyi.net.au.
RSVP to Mia, CMYI Office Manager, on info@cmyi.net.au or (03) 9349 3466 by 2nd December.
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Bi-Cultural Youth Workers Forum
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- Are you working with CLD young people and come from a CLD or refugee background yourself?
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We know there are complexities to bi-cultural work with young people and families, whether you are working within your community or cross culturally with those from a range of backgrounds. This forum is a chance to discuss the complexities of your work, the solutions you have found, and what supports you would like to see in the future.
This is the first of three forums that CMYI will host over the next six months to support bi-cultural youth and community workers through peer support and skills sharing.
Date: Tuesday 13th December, 2005
Time: 10am - 12 noon
Place: ECCV, Room A, 150 Palmerston Street, Carlton (above Carlton Primary School)
Morning tea will be provided.
Please let us know if you are coming by email: info@cmyi.net.au or call (03) 9349 3466.
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Secondary Consultation
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- Want to explore strategies for engaging with CLD young people?
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- Not sure where to refer a young person?
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CMYI offers telephone support, advice and referral to workers with regards to CLD youth issues.
Secondary consultation is available from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, by calling (03) 9349 3466 or emailing info@cmyi.net.au.
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Youth Referral and Independent Person Program Secures Interim Funding
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CMYI would like to thank the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon. Tim Holding, for his recent commitment to continue funding to CMYI to implement the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP) to June 2006. Minister Holding has also made a commitment for Government to work with YRIPP management to ensure the future sustainability of the program. YRIPP is therefore continuing in all pilot areas: Shepparton, Maribyrnong/Brimbank, Hume, Darebin and Dandenong/Casey. We would also like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers and agencies who helped us with our funding campaign!
In other news, YRIPP has recently appointed a new local coordinator for the Maribyrnong/Brimbank area (Anna Duff) and will be appointing a new coordinator for the City of Hume in the coming week.
In addition, due to YACVic's recent move, new contact details for Sally Reid, YRIPP program manager, are:
Sally Reid, c/o Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
Level 2, 172 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
tel: 03 9267 3799, fax: 03 9639 1622, email: sreid@yacvic.org.au.
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'Through My Eyes' - Refugee Week Photo Exhibition
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As part of Refugee Week, CMYI was involved in putting together an exhibition of photographs taken by young people from NMIT in Broadmeadows.
The exhibition, Through My Eyes, provided an opportunity for young people to take photos of their family, friends and community and reflect on the resettlement experience.
To read the full story, go to www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/3968
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Life Skills Workshop
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On the 20th September, a group of 8 young people from the JPET program (Southeast Region) participated in a life skills workshop in Dandenong run by Hala Chamas, CMYI Refugee Alternative Pathways (JPET) Officer. The young people went shopping and were introduced to unfamiliar vegetables and groceries and how they could be used in recipes, as well as learning about the nutritional value of different foods.
The aim of life skills program was to get young people to share their knowledge and experiences and to introduce each other to recipes and food from different cultures.
Some of the highlights included: budgeting, shopping for one, cooking and using kitchen appliances safely, and sharing a meal together.
The young people who participated enjoyed the day and were interested in doing similar activities more often. For more information about the program, contact Hala Chamas (hchamas@cmyi.net.au).
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New CMYI Resources
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Sports Tip Sheets
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Tip Sheet #2: Tip Sheet for Clubs: Becoming Inclusive of People from CLD Backgrounds
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This tip sheet outlines the benefits of becoming a more culturally inclusive club and provides practical strategies to assist clubs in their approach.
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 Download PDF (273Kb)
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Tip Sheet #3: Models of Club Inclusion: Case Studies
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This tip sheet provides case studies of a number of sporting clubs in Victoria that have used different strategies to attract members from diverse backgrounds.
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Download PDF (234Kb)
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Coming soon...
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Youth Kit: A Resource for Youth Leaders
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A resource for Youth Group Leaders will be launched in early 2006. The Youth Kit is designed to assist refugee and CLD young leaders with practical suggestions on how to start and effectively run a youth group.
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Opening the School Gate: Engaging CLD Families in Schools
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A practical resource to assist schools in engaging CLD families. Opening the School Gate will be launched in late February.
For more information about the Youth Kit and Opening the School Gate, contact Kate O’Sullivan, CMYI Senior Policy Officer (kateos@cmyi.net.au).
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YOUNG REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT NEWS
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KATE O'SULLIVAN, Senior Policy Officer - Refugee Youth Resettlement
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Asylum Seeker Project: Right to Work Campaign
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Many asylum seekers in our community have been denied the right to work as they await the final decision on whether they can remain in Australia or not. The right to work and Medicare was taken away in 1997. This policy has had a devastating impact on the welfare of many people seeking Australia's protection, including vulnerable children.
To read more about the impact of this policy, the Age recently published an article, A Bridge to nowhere, or go to the Hotham Mission website.
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The Asylum Seeker Project’s Right to Work Campaign aims to achieve work rights again for asylum seekers before the ten year period of denial is up. Hotham Mission’s Asylum Seeker Project is keen for people to get involved and assist in the Right to Work campaign.
BROCHURES: Campaign brochures are available which outline the key issues of concern as well as a letter to send Minister Vanstone. These are available from the Uniting Church Synod Office, 130 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, or phone Jesse Cain on 9251 5271
TOTEM POLES ARTWORK: Moveable artwork in the form of totem poles which support the campaign are available for borrowing. To book the Totem poles contact caz.coleman@vic.uca.org.au or call (03) 9251 5266
LOBBY/CAMPAIGN MATERIAL: The Asylum Seeker Project encourage you to make an appointment with your MP to talk about work rights for asylum seekers. If you would like to receive support in your lobbying efforts, or to talk further about the campaign, or to receive updates on the campaign, do not hesitate to ring or email Stancea on (asp@sub.net.au) or call 03 9326 8343.
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POSTCARD FROM THE SOUTHEAST
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CHRIS HORTIN - Team Leader and NAYSS Worker (Southeast Region)
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Newly Arrived Youth Support Service (NAYSS)
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The NAYSS program workers have been busy undertaking an extensive mapping process whilst engaging clients and service providers in the Cities of Greater Dandenong and Casey. This has contributed to raising awareness of the NAYSS program.
The workers, Endalkatchew and Chris, have had the pleasure of meeting lots of amazing people who have been an inspiration to walk alongside and learn from. The openness and willingness of agencies, schools and workers to share invaluable practice knowledge has been fantastic. We have been lucky enough to attend various forums, meetings and events including the Victoria Police Multicultural Strategy and Casey’s Forum for Refugees and Newly Arrived Migrants as part of Refugee Week.
In addition to individual client work, NAYSS is also teaming up with Reconnect Young Refugees to provide a recreational program at Noble Park English Language School in the coming weeks. We will be providing information sessions to a number of schools before the end of the school year.
Referrals to the NAYSS program can be made by contacting Chris or Endalkatchew at the Visycares Centre in Dandenong on 9794 0047. Chris can also be reached on 0407 547 721.
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FROM THE SECTOR: NEW RESOURCES AND EVENTS
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Details of upcoming events, conferences and new resources in the CLD youth sector. If you have an event or resource you want promoted through the newsletter, please send details to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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New Resources
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- New Dinka Resource for Sudanese students – Milet English Dinka Picture Dictionary is now available through Global Language Books. For more information, email sales@globallanguage.com.au or call (02) 9896 5811.
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- HREOC Voices of Australia – a collection of real life stories about diversity and living together in contemporary Australia. Includes information about the Racial Discrimination Act. Available in a range of print, audio and website publications. To access go to www.humanrights.gov.au/voices/
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- HREOC Face the Facts - provides factual, easy-to-read information, fact sheets and activities about refugees and asylum seekers, migration and multiculturalism and Indigenous people. Resources can be downloaded and the website also includes teaching notes. To access go to: www.humanrights.gov.au/info_for_teachers/face_facts/index.html
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- A Directory of Pacific Islands Resources in Victoria - The Institute of Community Engagement and Policy Alternatives (ICEPA) is currently developing a Victoria University Pacific Islands Network, comprised of a diverse group of academics, community members and organisations engaged in Pacific Island research and projects. For further information about ICEPA and its activities, see www.vu.edu.au/Research/ICEPA.
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- Defending human rights: community-based asylum seekers (UQ Boilerhouse Community Engagement Centre). Report documenting findings from a small-scale qualitative research project into the experiences of community-based asylum seekers and the issues faced by the community organisations that support them. To access go to: www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=40918
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- UN World Youth Report 2005 - The report argues that youth policy is often made with the spectre of youth stereotypes in mind - drug use, delinquency, violence - and ignores the positive contribution that young people make to the world community. Download the report from www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/wyr05.htm
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- High unemployment at a time of low unemployment - In 2004-05, Australia had an average annual unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent, the lowest rate in 28 years, however there are still many groups for whom the unemployment rate is well into double digits. Tony Kryger looks at these groups - teenagers, Indigenous Australians, single parents, recent arrivals to Australia and certain nationalities of migrants. www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=42113
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- Daring to dream: Raising the achievement of 14 to 16 year old asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people (Refugee Council of UK). Research that explores the success and achievement or asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people in education in the UK. To access the report, go to: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/publications/pub004.htm#daring
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- Generate: Youth Culture and Migration Heritage in Western Sydney. (Institute for Cultural Research, University of Western Sydney). Report exploring identity and popular culture among Middle Eastern and Asian youth in Western Sydney. To find out more, go to: www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/e107/content.php?article.33
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Training
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- Postgraduate Certificate in Action Research - Swinburne University of Technology are offering a Graduate Certificate in Social Science in Action Research. The course, beginning in 2006, will provide valuable resourcing for key people using evaluation in organisational and local settings. Extending over one year part-time, develop and apply theory and practice to improve the design and facilitation of an important project – address a crucial question – work on an area of critical interest – or build a culture of evaluative research. To express interest or request further information on the course, contact the Program Convenor by email: actionresearch@swin.edu.au or go to www.sisr.net/arp
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Positions Advertised
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- 3 AFL Multicultural Development Officers - In a joint initiative, the AFL and Football Victoria (FV) have established a Multicultural Football Program in partnership with the Department for Victorian Communities to develop opportunities to engage people from diverse cultural backgrounds to broaden both the participation and supporter base in Australian Football.
To help deliver the strategy the AFL is looking to employ 3 Multicultural Development Officers in the greater Melbourne area. For more information and to download position description, go to: http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=aflfocus&spg=display&articleid=237405
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Conferences and Forums
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- Burundian Community Profile - Friday 2nd December
Information session on the Burundian community settling in the West. St Andrews Uniting Church, 302-308 Barkly Street, Footscray at 10am. For more information contact New Hope Foundation.
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- Diversity Symposium: Women, Diversity and Human Rights - 7-8 December 2005
This two-day symposium on diversity is to be held at RMIT University. The focus will be on ‘intersectional’ issues of gender and culture. Participants are welcome to submit presentation proposals, either as 30-minute papers, 60-minute workshops, or jointly presented 90-minute colloquium sessions. If you would like to know more, visit the Diversity Conference website at www.Diversity-Conference.com
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- Financial Issues Faced by Arabic-speaking Communities - Wednesday, 7 December 2005
Whittlesea Community Connections and Kildonan Child and Family Services invite workers to come along and learn how to address the financial issues faced by newly arrived migrant and refugees from Arabic speaking countries. Whittlesea Community Connections, Shop 111 Epping Plaza from 9.30-11.30am. For more information, contact Dalal Sleiman on (03) 9401 6666 or email dalal@vicnet.net.au.
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- Good Start Youth Refugee Research Project - Wednesday 7 December 2005
First year findings presented by Sandy Gifford, Director, Refugee Health Research Centre from 5-6pm at Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture (VFST) 6, Gardiner Street, Brunswick (Melway ref: 29 F7). For more information call: (03) 9388 0022
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- Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity Conference - 8-9 December 2005
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Coolum, Queensland. For more information contact the Centre for Multicultural and Community Development, University of the Sunshine Coast, Tel: (07) 3210 6194 or email mkhakbaz@usc.edu.au.
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FROM THE SECTOR: PROJECT, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Information and updates on new projects, programs and services in the sector. If you are involved in a project that you would like others in the sector to know about, send details to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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New Projects and Programs
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Multicultural Young Women's Basketball League
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CMYI, Sunshine Basketball Association and Basketball Victoria are starting a new basketball league. The Multicultural Young Women’s Basketball League is for young women between the ages of 14 and 17. The competition will start on 22 January 2006 and run through to 5 March. Games will be held at RecWest in Braybrook and registration is free.
The competition is funded by the Department of Victorian Communities and the Office of Commonwealth Games. For more information and registration forms contact amorrone@cmyi.net.au or call 9340 3705.
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Family Relationship Service - EMC/AMES
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A new program funded by the Department of Family and Community Services will bring additional resources and specialisation to support refugee families facing considerable relationship challenges and stresses in the settlement process.
This first-ever Family Relationships Services Program (FRSP) for Humanitarian Entrants will be delivered in the west and the north by the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Ecumenical Migration Centre with AMES, and by the South East MRC in the southern and eastern regions.
Family Relationships Services activities include:
• Information and referral
• Education and skills training
• Counselling and complex casework including family and couple therapy
• Community development and support in issues such as family violence and parenting
• Dispute resolution and mediation.
For more information go to www.bsl.org.au/emc.
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(Source: DiVersified, Spring 2005, p.13)
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Funding
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New & Emerging Communities Fund: A Victoria Police-VMC Initiative
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The New & Emerging Communities Fund was launched in June this year at the New & Emerging Communities Forum. The Fund, established in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission, will function to provide small grants for projects that foster community engagement between emerging communities and Victoria Police at a local district level.
Funding grants, subject to approval, are now available and applications have been widely distributed.
For further information on the New & Emerging Communities Forum, contact the Manager of the Victoria Police Multicultural Advisory Unit, Mr Anthony Abate on (03) 9247 6911 or anthony.abate@police.vic.gov.au or Ms Paula Brosnan on (03) 9247 6192 or paula.brosnan@police.vic.gov.au
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(Source: DiVersified, Spring 2005, p.11)
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Advance Young People and Communities working together
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Advance commenced in 2004 and is a one-year school based program using a youth development approach to encourage young people to participate in community life. The program is available to all Victorian government secondary schools and is targeted at students in Year 9 and above.
For more information about the Advance program and how to apply for funding, go to www.youth.vic.gov.au/programs/advance.htm
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Scholarships for Diploma of Interpreting in select languages
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The Department for Victorian Communities, through the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs (VOMA), is offering scholarships to students enrolled in the 2006 RMIT Diploma of Interpreting in the languages of Amharic, Arabic (Sudanese), Dari, Dinka, Khmer, Nuer, Pushto, Somali and Swahili.
Once selected, scholarship recipients will receive $1,500. This amount will cover course fees and associated study costs. The course will run part-time from February 2006 to December 2006.
If you would like to get brochures and posters, or any additional information, please contact Anne Muylwyk via email at Anne.Muylwyk@dvc.gov.auor telephone on 9208 3157.
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IN THE NEWS
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Multicultural youth issues in the media – what are some of the issues that are making it into the news? If you come across media articles you think should be highlighted in this newsletter, please forward to louise@cmyi.net.au.
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Multiculturalism and the war on terror - Petro Georgiou’s speech to the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law (18/10/05)
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Georgiou discusses, among other issues, whether the risk of home-grown terrorism would be reduced if Australia abandoned the policy of multiculturalism, to which he argues that multiculturalism is an ally not an enemy in the ‘war against terror’.
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www.apo.org.au/webboard/results.chtml?filename_num=41084
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A bridge to nowhere – The Age (30/10/05)
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Thousands of asylum seekers live freely in Australia — on condition they do not work or receive welfare payments. For many, this means poverty. Critics say this is detention without the razor wire.
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www.theage.com.au/news/national/beyond-the-fence/2005/10/30/1130607145501.html?page=1
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