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 April 2006
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NEWS AND VIEWS
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SEXUAL HEALTH AND CLD YOUNG PEOPLE: A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SEX EDUCATION
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 Recent research exploring sexual health issues among newly arrived and CLD young people suggest significant gaps in information and support for CLD communities. Preliminary findings from research being undertaken at the University of Melbourne that explores the understanding and experience of African-born Australians indicates a significant gap in appropriate information about HIV (Lemoh 2006, unpublished).
Research published by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society at La Trobe University (2005) also points to poor mental health outcomes for same sex attracted young people, with additional issues relating to family support and understanding identified by respondents from CLD backgrounds. Young people from recently arrived refugee backgrounds were not among the participants in this research. This represents another gap in research on the sexual health and wellbeing of this group.
In responding to this research, as well as anecdotal evidence from workers, CMYI held a Statewide Multicultural Youth Issues Network meeting around the sexual health and wellbeing of CLD young people. Discussions at the meeting explored the need for culturally appropriate sex education as well as a co-ordinated and multilayered approach to ensuring young people from all backgrounds have access to information about relationships, safe practices, religious beliefs and sexual health.
Among the gaps identified at the meeting was the tendency for parents to choose not to allow their children to participate in sex education programs at school due to a perception that these programs were culturally inappropriate. This perception can lead to young people missing out on vital information and potentially participating in risk behaviour. Likewise, parents’ misunderstandings about sexual health issues in Australia (including HIV and STIs) and the relationship this has on the safety and health of their young people, may contribute to misinformation and potentially risky behaviour. The question, then, is how families can be brought on board to ensure young people and communities are able to access culturally appropriate information around sexual health?
Some suggestions that came out of the Statewide meeting included:
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- involving community leaders and young people in developing culturally appropriate sex education programs;
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- building the capacity of the health sector more broadly to deliver youth-friendly and CLD accessible services (e.g. use of interpreters, training for GPs, better understanding within health sector around refugee health issues);
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- supporting bicultural workers to deliver and develop health services (including education);
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- setting up a ‘clearinghouse’ of good models that have been trialled and can be shared with other services; and
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- convening a committee of key stakeholders (health, youth, education, multicultural bodies) to explore opportunities for a co-ordinated approach.
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If you are interested in being involved in future discussions around sexual health issues for CLD communities, or if you are aware of any good models that could be shared with other services, contact Alison Coelho at CMYI (acoelho@cmyi.net.au).
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NEWS > NEW FEDERAL MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MULTICULTURAL AND YOUTH AFFAIRS
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On 24 January, Prime Minister Howard outlined changes to the Ministry and the Administrative Arrangements Orders. In relation to multicultural and youth affairs, the ministerial reshuffle has seen the abolition of the Children and Youth Affairs portfolio and movement of the Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs portfolio to the Outer Ministry. A new Minister for Community Services has been introduced within the expanded Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
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Changes within Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
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The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, announced in February the duties for the new Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Andrew Robb. Senator Vanstone said families and multicultural affairs would be the primary focus of Mr. Robb’s responsibilities and would be taking responsibility for:
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- all policies and programs relating to citizenship, settlement and multicultural affairs (with the exception of the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy);
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- all policies and programs relating to family migration, including assessment of requests for ministerial intervention under section 351 of the Migration Act 1958 for non-detention cases;
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- all matters relating to family sponsored visitors; and
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- all matters relating to migration agents.
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Changes to Family and Youth
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According to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), the nation's non-government youth affairs peak, young Australians are the big losers in the PM's recent ministerial reshuffle. Whilst the reshuffle was anticipated to usher in a more youthful front bench, Prime Minister Howard has dropped Children and Youth Affairs portfolio from his Government altogether.
"The young people of Australia have no specific representative in their Government to hear their needs and concerns," AYAC Young Spokesperson Rey Reodica said. "Youth issues are diverse and in need of particular focus and attention. Mr. Howard appears to have forgotten that his Government's policies on issues such as education and employment affect the lives of young people in distinct ways.
"The interests of young people cannot simply be placed with issues such as family and community services and expected to be given a fair go. Young Australians have a right to fair representation by their Government and this reshuffle is a huge failure in this regard," says Reodica.
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(see full AYAC article at: www.ayac.org.au/media.html)
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Full Ministerial details at: www.aph.gov.au/library/parl/41/ministry/ministry.htm
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NEWS > IN MEMORY OF DANNY SANDOR
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Danny Sandor, a key advocate in the areas of child protection and juvenile justice in Victoria, sadly passed away in February. He was a great friend and supporter of CMYI.
CMYI, under its previous structure (when it was known as EYIN and auspiced by YACVIC), had the pleasure of working with Danny intimately during his time as chairman. He fought vigorously for the independence of the peak body and for ensuring that multicultural issues were a core component of their work. Those of us who worked with him are grateful for his leadership and pragmatism.
Danny had the both the intellectual vigour and strength of character to take a lead in tackling difficult issues around gender and racial equality and the rights of children. The youth sector has much to thank Danny for, in particular his capacity to galvanise people to work together on important social issues.
A recent example was his efforts in late 2005 to co-ordinate a number of diverse legal and community groups (including CMYI) to a write a submission to the senate committee investigating the anti-terrorism bill (no2) 2005.
Among his many other achievements, Danny was a board member of the National Children's and Youth Law Centre, member of the Victorian Attorney Generals Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Transgender legal isues and active in the Defence of Children International.
Former Chief Justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson AO, (for whom Danny worked as an associate) wrote in his obituary (The Age, 27/03/06): "In all he did, [Danny] ensured that the voices of young people were heard and their best interests considered."
Danny will be missed but his work will not be forgotten.
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THINKING ABOUT TRANSLATING?
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By Kate O’Sullivan, Senior Policy Officer - Refugee Youth Resettlement
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A growing number of organisations are now thinking about providing translated material to young people and the families with whom they work. However, in order to be effective with newly arrived communities, agencies need more creative means to provide this information.
Many newly arrived young people and their families have had little or no previous education and have thus lacked the opportunity to learn to read in their first spoken language and some spoken languages are not recognised in written form. Many newly arrived communities will be much more comfortable and familiar with oral communication methods such as face-to-face meetings, discussions and listening to the radio.
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If you do translate you may want to consider:
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- What existing translated material exists that we could use? (search www.mylanguage.gov.au. CMYI also provides a range of translated material for young people and families, including parent consent forms)
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- Are we targeting young people or parents/family members for the material?
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- Which communities most need translations (the targets of your service, or high risk groups in your local area?)
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- What languages are spoken by those communities?
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- What languages will be actually read by community members?
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- Check with your preferred translator about which languages they can provide translations in.
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Make sure you also think carefully about the English version. Use plain English and explain any important concepts and terms. This will assist not only to make it clear for the translator (some terms are hard to translate), but also for those who will have to rely on the English version if you have a limited number of translations you can fund.
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What are the alternatives to translation?
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- Engage with existing radio programs on SBS, 3CR etc for a talkback session, an interview or by providing appropriate pre-recorded information in your target language.
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- Develop visual material, signs, DVDs, displays to show in your service, or to be used in community settings.
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- Employ and train bi-cultural workers to work with existing community groups to both deliver information around key issues and the services you offer and seek input from community members about the programs you deliver.
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- Facilitate direct oral communication through the use of interpreters by attending community meetings or events.
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- Develop partnerships with education providers to develop appropriate curriculum material for use in the classroom with English language learners - such as the Tenant’s Union has done successfully with AMES.
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WHAT'S NEW AT CMYI?
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NEWLY ARRIVED YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICE (NAYSS) UPDATE
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On Wednesday 23rd March, Minister John Cobb launched the new North West NAYSS (Newly Arrived Youth Support Service) Service at Melbourne's North West Migrant Resource Centre (NW MRC). This new service, a partnership between CMYI, Melbourne Citymission, the Salvation Army and NW MRC, will provide support to newly arrived young people and their families in the local government areas of Brimbank, Hume and Moonee Valley.
The Minister spoke highly of the NAYSS Initiative and the importance of such a targeted service for this client group. The Launch was also attended by young people who were themselves newly arrived in Australia as well as staff from the four agencies and local media.
As Lead Provider for the NAYSS Initiative, CMYI is currently focused on organising the NAYSS National Forum. The Forum, to be held in the 2nd week of June, will bring together in Melbourne all 14 NAYSS services from around the country, along with FaCSIA representatives and CMYI staff. Minister John Cobb will attend as will a range of specialist speakers, including newly arrived young people. The purpose of the Forum is to provide comprehensive professional development to all NAYSS staff as well as important networking and collaboration opportunities. It will mark a new stage in the Initiative with all services having commenced, and presents an exciting opportunity for some national planning.
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CMYI WILL CEASE TO DELIVER JPET SERVICES AS OF JUNE 2006
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CMYI has delivered JPET services to young refugees in the West, North and South East of Melbourne for almost nine years. In that period the JPET program has undergone dramatic changes, including shifting from the Department of Family and Community Services to the Department of Employment and Work Relations.
It is CMYI’s view that as a result of the changes that have taken place in the program over the past two years, JPET no longer provides us with an opportunity to work with young refugees in a holistic or sensitive manner. Consequently, and with regret, we have decided to cease delivering JPET services.
We will continue to advocate for the right of young refugees to be provided with culturally sensitive service responses when seeking support and pathways into education, training and employment. At the same time we will also continue to argue that the JPET program model fails to recognise the specific needs of young refugees.
We understand that many services are working to their capacity and will find the lack of a CMYI JPET service a gap for refugee young people. We believe though, that it is better to not provide a service under this model, than struggle to provide what will ultimately be a ‘bandaid’ response.
While we will no longer provide a JPET model we have recently been funded to deliver the Newly Arrived Youth Support Service (NAYSS) to young people in the South East of Melbourne and will be expanding this service to include Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Hume in the near future. We are fortunate to be able to provide the NAYSS service as a response to the diverse and complex needs of newly arrived young people aged between 12-21 years.
We would like to offer our support to agencies in the region that seek to provide services and resources to young refugees and migrants, and ask for your support in continuing to advocate for the rights of young refugees and migrants. For further information on the NAYSS service, or any other queries in relation to JPET, please contact CMYI Program Coordinator, Mary Danckert, on 9349 3466.
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NEW INITATIVES FOR MULTICULTURAL SPORT & RECREATION PROJECT
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By Alex Prado, Sport & Recreation Project Worker
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The Multicultural Sport & Recreation Project is a 12-month program that comprises two initiatives. The first, funded by VicHealth, is to provide support to the Leisure and Fitness sectors to improve their response to the needs of CLD young people in their facilities, services and programs. The second initiative is funded through Department for Victorian Communities - Sport and Recreation Victoria as part of the ‘Go For Your Life’ initiative. It involves delivering a social sports participation project in collaboration with local clubs and communities in the northern region of Melbourne. It involves assisting local sports clubs to become more accessible to CLD young people.
The Leisure Centre Strategy will primarily work with three Leisure Centre facilities. Part of this role will involve an audit of the sector and documentation of existing strategies, policies and models of CLD inclusion in Leisure facilities. I will also develop and disseminate information and resources for Leisure centres and the fitness sector and deliver cultural awareness training. Through this process I will assist the three nominated Leisure Centres to develop CLD specific policy statements, as well as assist them to strengthen current, and develop new, CLD specific programs.
The Social Participation in Sport component of this position aims to primarily engage CLD and newly arrived young people in club based sport and recreation programs in the City of Hume. It will initially target soccer, football and cricket, with the goal of developing and maintaining relationships with local sports clubs, local government, community organisations and their members. This will inform the development and documentation of new models of program delivery. The initiative will encourage local clubs and communities to deliver and take ownership of the program after the funding period has ceased.
I will be based at the North West Migrant Resource Centre in Hume on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the Social Participation in Sport initiative. For the rest of the week I will be based at CMYI in Carlton, focusing on the Leisure Centre initiative. If you want find out more about this exciting project, I can be contacted on 0400 502 998 or email aprado@cmyi.net.au
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FORUM FOR WORKERS FROM CLD BACKGROUNDS
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Please join us for the second meeting to discuss issues for workers from migrant and refugee backgrounds in working with young people and their families.
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| | | | | CMYI, Level 1, 308 Drummond St, Carlton
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This workshop is particularly targeted at workers from migrant and refugee communities (rather than those who are Australian born). We will discuss strategies to provide more support for bi-cultural workers within organisations and address some of the tricky issues such as how to balance the needs of your community and the young people you support with the expectations of the organisation you work with.
Please let us know if you will be attending by email: kateos@cmyi.net.au or 9349 3466.
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YOUTH GROUP DATABASE AND CMYI YOUTH PARTICIPATION REGISTER
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Youth Group Database
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CMYI has been funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) to establish a database of CLD youth groups in Victoria. This database will be made available to the public once it has been developed. We are keen to include a diverse range of CLD youth groups who meet for a range of purposes such as cultural, sports, recreational, music, friendship and support. To let CMYI know about any CLD youth groups, email info@cmyi.net.au or call (03) 9340 3700.
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CMYI Youth Participation Register
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CMYI is regularly contacted by government departments and organisations wishing to involve CLD young people in activities or events they are organising. The purpose of the CMYI Youth Participation Register is to list young people aged 16 years and over, who may be contacted when participation opportunities arise. CMYI is interested in enabling the voices of CLD young people to be heard.
To find out more about the Youth Group and CMYI Projects database, go to: www.cmyi.net.au/GetInvolved
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NEW STAFF
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CMYI would like to announce the following new staff and changes to our team:
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| Joseph Zizys – Administration Officer
| Joseph is a welcome addition to the Carlton office, providing administrative support to the CMYI team as well as acting as the first port-of-call for CMYI public enquiries. Joseph brings to the organisation a wealth of skills, having worked in everything from IT to volunteer telephone counselling.
| "I am very happy to be a part of the wonderful CMYI Team. I look forward to taking your calls and answering your emails in the future!"
| Joseph can be found at info@cmyi.net.au
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| | Alex Prado – Project Officer, Multicultural Sport and Recreation
| Alex has been working for the past year as CMYIs JPET youth worker based in St Albans. His new position as a Project Worker with the Multicultural Sport and Recreation program will be based part-time at the Carlton office and part-time in the City of Hume. See article above for more details on the Multicultural Sport & Recreation Program.
Alex can continue to be contacted through aprado@cmyi.net.au
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| | Archangelo Madut – Project Worker, African Youth and Family
| Archangelo will be running the new African Youth and Family Project based in Dandenong; a project which will bring together young people, services, community leaders and schools. Archangelo comes to CMYI with a wealth of experience, both in Australia and internationally. He has worked as a counsellor/advocate with Foundation House since July last year, was involved in the setting up and running of a settlement support community association in Melbourne, and ran a youth NGO in Kenya assisting young people with education and health in Southern Sudan and Kakuma Refugee Camp.
| “I long to see this project change the direction and lives of young people, especially by improving communication within families and relationships with service providers. I will put all my energy into it to make sure I achieve this.”
| Archangelo can be contacted at CMYIs Dandenong office on Thursdays and Fridays or on amadut@cmyi.net.au
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|  | Soo-Lin Quek – Refugee Education Partnership Project
| Soo-Lin Quek has been employed to facilitate the policy development component of the Refugee Education Partnership Project, a partnership between CMYI, Foundation House, VicHealth, DET, DVC and the Dara Foundation. She has worked in various policy positions in the community sector over the last 18 years (including CMYI) on issues to do with refugee and migrant young people, immigrant women's health and family violence, and as a diversity trainer. Her most recent position was with Department for Victorian Communities as the Assistant Director in the Office of Women's Policy.
| "I am pleased to be working with CMYI again. I am hoping to bring my understanding and experience of both the government and non-government sectors to strategically position the issues to improve educational outcomes for refugee background young people."
| Soo-Lin can be contacted at squek@cmyi.net.au
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NEW RESOURCES
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Opening the School Gate: Engaging CLD Families in Schools
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Despite the strong desire to build connections between families and schools, schools often find it difficult to engage CLD families. Opening the School Gate provides some practical suggestions and tools to overcome barriers to involvement. Sections include: Planning for greater CLD engagement in your school; Planning a CLD parents' meeting; Running an effective meeting with CLD parents; Supporting CLD families in your school.
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Download here
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A Three-Way Partnership? Exploring the experiences of CLD families in schools
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This CMYI issues paper, which accompanies the Opening the School Gate resource kit for teachers, explores themes and issues around culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families' expectations and involvement in schools.
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Download here
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Culturally Inclusive Planning for Sports (CIPS) Toolkit
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The CIPS Toolkit can assist your organisation to begin the process of CLD inclusion. CMYI also provides free training for sport and recreation providers who are interested in finding out more about how to use the CIPS Toolkit as part of their strategic planning.
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Download here
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Sports Tip Sheet 4: Engaging CLD young women in sports and physical activity
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This tip sheet provides useful strategies for engaging CLD young women in sports and physical activity. Includes 10 tips for designing a physical activity program for CLD young women.
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Download here
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Late Arrivals: The needs of refugee young people who settle in later adolescence
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This CMYI Issues Paper explores the significance of age as a factor in the successful settlement of refugee young people who arrive in Australia. CMYI has found that many young people who arrive in late adolescence (15-24 years) are faced with an array of additional pressures, demands and stresses.
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Download here
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Updating Victoria's Youth Policy: Report from Youth Consultation with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Young People
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On 23 February 2006, the Victorian Office for Youth and CMYI co-hosted a consultation forum with young people from CLD backgrounds. The forum attracted over 50 young people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This paper reports on the main themes emerging from the consultation around Victoria's youth policy.
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Download here
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CMYI PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR 2006
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CMYI has a new online professional development calendar. Go to Professional Development Calendar to find out about upcoming training and professional development events and to download a registration form.
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POSTCARD FROM DANDENONG
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Each newsletter, we ask one of our program team to write about emerging issues and new initiatives that are taking place in their region. In this edition NAYSS Project Worker, Rachel Murray writes about a recent outing to the Dandenong Ranges involving a group of 16 young people.
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School holiday fun – An outing to the Dandenong Ranges
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 During the March school holidays, CMYI took 16 young people from the City of Greater Dandenong and Casey (predominantly from the eMerge Multicultural Friendship group at Hampton Park Secondary College) on a trip to the Dandenong Ranges. Bus booked, food bought, games prepared, families visited. The process leading up to the picnic was nearly as important as the day itself. It was important for the young people to feel comfortable with CMYI to ensure participation and to connect with families.
As we chatted over the phone, many spoke of the holidays, sharing similar experiences of boredom, “We just been staying at home watching TV.”
During an eMerge meeting, the group had been asked to think of things they would like to do on the holidays. Swimming and a picnic to the bush were the top two choices. Logistically we opted for the picnic and decided we would go on a day trip out to the Dandenong Ranges.
We set off early to meet at Hampton Park Secondary College and played lots of games until the bus arrived. The journey was filled with songs from many countries. We stopped off and bought disposable cameras for the budding photographers among the group. Each participant took photos of their day.
The air was beautiful as we embarked down into the rainforest to begin our walk. Smiles were aplenty. One young person took the lead saying: “It’s just like I’m at home again. Walking with my mum and sister and aunties in the mountains”. It was hard to leave such a magical environment.
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE SECTOR
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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 this newsletter, please send details to info@cmyi.net.au
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New Resources
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- The Victorian Government has released its Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Impact of Body Image on Young People. To view a copy of the final report go to www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/body_image_final_report.htm. To view a copy of the Government's response, go to www.communitybuilding.vic.gov.au/news/items/2006/03/69053-upload-00001.pdf
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- Senate Migration Act Inquiry – report and analysis. A Just Australia’s analysis of the Senate Migration Act Inquiry is available online from: www.ajustaustralia.com/informationandresources_researchandpapers.php?act=papers&id=72
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- The Refugee Council of Australia report, Australia's Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program: Current Issues and Future Directions, Views from the Community Sector, for February 2006 is available to download at: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/
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- Statistics on visa holders, December 2005, including stats on TPV, FVPS and other visas. Download from A Just Australia: www.ajustaustralia.com/informationandresources_factsandstatistics.php
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- Experiencing Poverty: The Voices Of Low-Income Australians Social Policy Research Centre UNSW report on the first stage of a project designed to develop new indicators of disadvantage for Australia. One group included migrant/refugee families.
Download from: www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/reports/FinalReportMarch06.pdf
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- Carlton Community Lifelong Learning Hub Project: Final Report, Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology. The findings of a 12-month research and community development project undertaken for Carlton Primary School. The focus of the research was on the educational backgrounds and learning needs of the wider school community, the majority of whom are from Horn of Africa refugee backgrounds. Download report here.
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- Longest Journey: Resettling Refugees from Africa, new book by Peter Browne (published by UNSW Press) looks at the evolution of Australia’s refugee resettlement program and the obstacles faced by refugees from Africa. For more information: www.apo.org.au/webboard/results.chtml?filename_num=70147
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- Victoria Legal Aid Multilingual resources update
- - Refugees and protection visas - This is an updated version of the ‘Are you a refugee?’ pamphlet for people who have recently arrived in Australia with or without a visa who may be refugees.
- Family law - For some time now there has not been a VLA family law publication in community languages. A national resource ‘Untying the Knots’ was developed in English last year. This simplified version in English is available online on www.legalaid.vic.gov.au.
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- Bilingual Staff Roles and Organisational Supports and Recruiting Bilingual Staff. Tip sheets available to download from the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health. Go to: www.ceh.org.au/resources/resbyceh.html
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- VicHealth Research Summary Sheets: Mental Health and Wellbeing. VicHealth have a set of four research summary sheets which provide data and summarise research relevant to: Social Inclusion; Discrimination and Violence; Burden of Disease; and, Access to Economic Resources. Download from ‘Publications and Resources’ at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au
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- 2001/02 Population and Mental Heath Data on CALD Children and Adolescents aged 0-19 Years available on the VTPU website. The VTPU website also has data on mental health clients' major birthplaces, preferred languages, mean contacts and access rates (treated prevalence) across Victoria. www.vtpu.org.au
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- Longest Journey: Resettling Refugees from Africa, new book by Peter Browne (published by UNSW Press) looks at the evolution of Australia’s refugee resettlement program and the obstacles faced by refugees from Africa. For more information: www.apo.org.au/webboard/results.chtml?filename_num=70147
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- Flashpoints & Signposts: Pathways to Success and Wellbeing for Australia’s Young People. Report suggests a need for a greater focus in both research and policy on the following issues: the ‘big picture’ of the broad social changes reshaping life today; holistic approaches to health and wellbeing; a whole of population approach; and consideration of the social and cultural resources, as well as the material and economic resources, that impact on wellbeing. www.australia21.org.au/pdf/HPreport.pdf
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- Doing Positive Things: ‘You have to go out and do it!’ Outcomes for Participants in Youth Development Programs. Research reports how outcomes were shaped by the approaches that youth development programs adopted, particularly around recruitment and inclusion, learning approaches including community involvement, youth participation in program decision-making and relationships between schools and community-based program providers. www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/publications.htm#Youth
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- Proceedings of the 'Community Engagement in a Multicultural Society: Smokescreens and Mirrors?' Seminar (Darebin, 14 April 2005). Papers by leading academics and practitioners. Download here
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- Connecting Diversity: Paradoxes of Multicultural Australia. The attitudes of many younger Australians from culturally diverse backgrounds reveal paradoxes about Australian multiculturalism today. This SBS report sheds light on their views, experiences and expectations and the role of media in their lives. Download from: www20.sbs.com.au/sbscorporate/index.php?id=1210
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- Student Action Teams: Implementing Productive Practices in Primary and Secondary School outlines practical ways to implement Student Action Teams based on the experiences from a group of primary and secondary schools in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Also available: Student Councils & Beyond: Students as Effective Participants in Decision-Making. Publications available from Connect, 12 Brook Street, Northcote 3070.
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- Writing themselves in again: 6 years on. The 2nd national report on the sexuality, health and well-being of same sex attracted young people in Australia. Download from: www.latrobe.edu.au/ssay/
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Training, Conferences and Forums
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- Action Research Training, April 26-27 (Northcote Town Hall). To find out more about the trainer, Faorligh Hunter, or for more information and to register for this training visit www.initi8.net.au or call Faorligh on (03) 9755 3252
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- Partnerships Toward Recovery: Mental Health Conference 2006, April 26-28 (Function Centre at Caulfield Racecourse). For more information or to register, go to: partnerships2006-rfv.vicserv.org.au/
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- Youth Support Services - Who's Carrying the Can? 4 May, 10am-1pm (Melbourne); 11 May, time TBA (Wangaratta), Venues & cost to be confirmed. Forum to address the gaps in service provision to young people in Victoria. VCOSS and YACVic invite you to participate in these forums to discuss the critical need for increased resources and better responses in early support and generalist services for young people in Victoria. For more info: contact YACVic 9267 3799 or phone VCOSS on 9654 5050
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- Community Development: Bringing People and Communities Closer Together, 10 May, 9.30am-1.30pm (Mary of the Cross, 7 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy). Facilitated by Dr Jen Couch. Contact Social Work Services P/L, Ph: (03) 9482 5766 or email sws@infoxchange.net.au
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- Boundary Setting and Stress Management for the Human Services Sector, 16 May, 9.30am-1.30pm (Mary of the Cross, 7 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy). Facilitated by Louise Sellenger. Contact Social Work Services P/L, Ph: (03) 9482 5766 or email sws@infoxchange.net.au
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- School’s in for Refugees: A Whole School Approach to Refugee Readiness, 24 & 31 May, 4-7pm, Foundation House (6 Gardiner Street, Brunswick). To register or for more information go to www.survivorsvic.org.au
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- Collaborative Solution Oriented Team Management, 29-30 May, (Heidelberg Rd, Alphington). For more information, contact Bernadette Glass & Associates, mobile 0417 601 817
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- Towards Culturally Sensitive Practice: Engaging with Islamic Spirituality, 8 June, 9.30-4.30 (6 Gardiner St, Brunswick). In an environment where messages about Islam are often negative, this Foundation House workshop is being offered for people who are interested in engaging positively and creatively with Islam. To register, go to www.foundationhouse.org.au/professional.php to download the current Training Calendar (registration form on the last page).
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- Youth Consumer Participation in Your Service – What can you do about it? 26 July, Orygen Youth Health (Melbourne). A series of professional development workshops are also being offered by Orygen. For more information and to register, go to: www.orygen.org.au
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- Governments & Communities in Partnership: From Theory to Practice conference, to be held between 25 - 27 September, 2006 (Melbourne). Go to www.public-policy.unimelb.edu.au/conference06/ for more information about the call for papers, call for practitioner presentations and the early bird registration discount.
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- The Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) are calling for submissions for the Conference will be held in Melbourne at the Northcote Town Hall, 13-15 October, 2006. Abstracts are due on the 30th April, 2006. General Enquiries:contact@agmc.org.au or (+61) 0431 432 412. Or go to: www.agmc.org.au
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- Towards a Healthy Nation: Meeting the challenges of a diverse society for good health and well-being. October 30 & 31 2006 (Adelaide). The Australian Multicultural Foundation, Diversity Health Institute and South Australian Government will host a pre-conference event, leading into the Diversity in Health conference 2007. To register your interest contact: Conference Secretariat, Australian Multicultural Foundation, PO Box 538 Carlton South VIC, 3053, info@amf.net.au, ph 03 93476622 fax 03 9347 2218
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- Involve 06 aims to reflect and connect the diversity of people who work with and for young people. The conference themes are: creativity, diversity and connection. Involve 06 will be held at Lincoln University, NZ, from 1–3 November, with an additional, optional one-day workshop on 4 November on motivational interviewing. Find out more: www.involve.org.nz. If you are interested in presenting, submissions close 7 May. Submission details: www.involve.org.nz/#expressionsofinterest
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Events
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- CEH is launching a new research report around consumer views on the effectiveness of language service provision in health settings. The report emphasises the high value that CALD consumers place on effective language services in health settings. Launch at: VicHealth, 19 April, 10.30-11.30am. RSVP to vivienf@ceh.org.au
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- GRASSROOTS LAUNCH: MUSLIM YOUTH EVENT, Ages 15-25. BMW Edge, Federation Square. Sunday, 30th April, 9.30am-1pm. Featuring: Comedian Akmal Saleh (from the melbourne comedy festival), DJ Jumps from the Cat Empire, Host of Triple J's Hip Hop show, Maya; Hip Hop Demos and workshops; Rap Demos and Workshops; Breakdance Performances. **All dance workshops gender segregated** Also featuring the following speakers: Waleed Aly (Writer, The Age), Monique Toohey (Co-Ordinator, Young Australian Muslim of the Year), Nazeem Hussein (Salam Cafe). Free Showbags to first 150 young people through the door! FREE ENTRY. For more information go to: www.grassroots.icv.org.au
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- 2006 Westpac Community Idol competition – entries close May 16
What makes your group great? Why do you stand out from the crowd? Now is the time to turn the answers to those questions into cash by entering the 2006 Westpac Community Idol competition. Three finalists, chosen by a panel of eminent community leaders, will strut their stuff in front of the expected capacity crowd at the 2006 Communities in Control conference on June 19. The competition provides a chance for Australian community groups to identify what they excel at and to publicly celebrate those successes. To find out more or to register online, go to: www.ourcommunity.com.au/communityidol
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Research and Consultations
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- Youth Poll 2006 – Senator Natasha Stott Despoja is conducting annual youth poll. Questions for 15 to 20 year olds range from issues of employment and education to the Republic and refugees. The results are published and publicised through the media, and highlighted in Federal Parliament. For more information or to download copies, go to www.natashastottdespoja.com
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- Frankston Multicultural Centre (FMC) Steering Committee Feasibility Study - If you live in the Frankston or the surrounding region and come from a diverse cultural and language background the Frankston Multicultural Centre (FMC) Steering Committee would like to hear about the activities you like to do individually, or as part a group and a community. The FMC Committee is conducting a feasibility study into developing a centre for the celebration and exchange of different cultures. Fill in a Survey, available from the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues, or send your ideas and responses by end of April directly to:
Peter Kalathas, FMC Steering Committee, C/o South Central Migrant Resource Centre, 18A Chester Street Oakleigh VIC 3166, Fax 9563 8697, Email peterk@vicnet.net.au
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- The Tellsomeone Project - RMIT University researchers are currently calling for 5,000 volunteers to complete an anonymous online survey examining trauma-related issues including depression, sexual and domestic abuse, and suicide. The survey, entitled the Tellsomeone Project, forms part of a research project that will be used as a basis to create better understanding and resources for addressing these insidious and highly prevalent social problems. Information about the research is available on the RMIT website at: www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vcrcsklzkzq6z
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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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Chicks Theatre Lab – Western Edge Youth Arts
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Western Edge Youth Arts are looking for young women (aged 16-26yo) from culturally diverse backgrounds who want to work with professional artists, and who may be thinking of becoming an artist themselves. You don’t need to have had any theatre experience, and it’s not about how you look or what grades you got at school. It’s all about wanting to tell stories about great female characters. Chicks Theatre Lab is free. The project will begin May 7th 2006 and run until June 25th. Contact Chi for further information on 9362 8803 or chi@westernedge.org.au
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Radio Harmony – Melbourne Citymission
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Radio Harmony is a project that brings together two very different cultural school groups from Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The project, involving Northland Secondary College and East Preston Islamic College, aims to foster understanding and interaction not only between the pupils at these schools but also the many different cultural groups living in Melbourne’s north. The culmination of the Radio Harmony project will see pupils from the two schools produce a live radio program to go to air on June 2nd on SYN FM (90.7FM), the student youth network radio station.
If you would like more information about the Radio Harmony project, contact Eloise Hinkley on (03) 8625 3215 or email ehinkley@mcm.org.au
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A-LURE – Visionary Images
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Visionary Images is an art studio based in Richmond where young people with experience of hardship and artists collaborate to make artwork that is exhibited in the public domain. We are looking for young people 15-25 to get involved in our new project called A-LURE. The project’s outcome will be a new media game we will create which will be played on the streets of Melbourne’s CBD in March 2007. This is a really exciting project as young people will be involved in every aspect of the game’s design and creation and will have the chance to see their artwork displayed throughout Melbourne. If this sounds like something you or someone you know may be interested in doing, all you need to do is contact us on 9427 1351 or email info@visionaryimages.org
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CANVAS – Point Project in partnership with AVWWA Youth Services
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Canvas is a creative project with and for young Australians, specifically encouraging participation from Vietnamese young people, to promote and celebrate their diverse talents in the Arts. Canvas will use a collaborative and creative process to work with artists and young people from Hume and Western Regions. This project aims to connect professional artists with young people to create artistic works that support cultural diversity, develop skills, generate ideas and opinions. This project involves weekly workshops and rehearsals starting from the 28th of April to the 21st of September. To find out more or register your interest contact info@pointproject.org
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Multicultural Football Program
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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. The AFL and FV will implement community-building programs in CLD communities. These programs include: visits to AFL games, Hall of Fame & Sensation and AFL clubs, school based activities, starter grants, participation on the ground at half time of AFL games, talent and umpire development. A Multicultural Development Officer will be delivering the program across each regional cluster working closely with the partner AFL club and the AFL Multicultural Project Coordinator. The program will be delivered largely FREE of charge, with the exception of some transport costs in some cases. To find out more information or to register Expression of Interest contact: Nick Hatzoglou, AFL Multicultural Project Coordinator, at nick.hatzoglou@afl.com.au
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Funding
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Young People, Technology and Social Relationships Grants (VicHealth)
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Grants of up to $100,000 per year, for three years, are available to develop, research and evaluate initiatives which explore the impact of technology on young people’s social relationships, and mental health and wellbeing. Applications close 5pm, Monday 15th May. Application forms can be completed and downloaded from the VicHealth website at www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/youthtech
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IN THE MEDIA
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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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Our values or go home: Costello (The Age, 24/02/06)
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PETER Costello has lashed out at "mushy misguided multiculturalism," warning that Australian values are "not optional" — and that migrants who do not share them should be stripped of their citizenship.
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www.theage.com.au/news/national/our-values-or-go-home-costello/2006/02/23/1140670207642.html
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Culture Clash (SBS, 07/03/06)
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When a global fear of terrorism is fuelled by representations of Muslims in the media, should we, as Tony Abbott suggests, warn against "shouting down" hardline Muslims and instead praise multiculturalism as a potential long term antidote to eruptions like the Cronulla riots? SBS Insight explores: how do we walk the line between respecting the cultural sensitivities of our new migrants and retaining Australia's way of life and core values?
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 download transcript (154Kb)
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Out of Africa (The Bulletin, 11/04/06)
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A murder, a dead child, fleeing athletes - the trials of African migrants are making all the wrong headlines. The inside story, by Diana Bagnall, of Australia's fastest growing refugee population.
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http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/site/articleIDs/F1A24F1BC200DB15CA257140001E0DD2
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