Multicultural Action Plan (PDF - 2.5MB) - City of Greater Geelong

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36 Appendices Access Access refers to the services being available to everyone who is entitled to them and should be free of any form of discrimination, irrespective of the person’s country of birth, language, culture, race or religion. Assimilation As opposed to multiculturalism, assimilation refers to the expectation whereby minority groups are expected to give up their distinctive linguistic, cultural and social characteristics and become indistinguishable from the majority of the population. Asylum Seekers Asylum seekers are people who have applied for protection and are waiting for a determination of their status. They seek refugee status after arrival in Australia. Many of them enter Australia as students or visitors and some arrive unauthorised. However, not all asylum seekers will be given refugee status. (Source: Refugee Council of Australia) Culture Any patterned set of behaviours, knowledge, values, beliefs, experiences and traditions shared by a particular group of people. (Source: Institute for Cultural Partnerships) ◊ http://www.culturalpartnerships.org/ pruductspubs/glossary.asp. CITy OF GREATER GEELOnG Cultural Diversity Culture: The United Nations: Article 1 of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity Identity, Diversity and Pluralism identifies, “cultural diversity: the common heritage of humanity.” Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognised and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.” Cultural Group Individuals who share a common culture, including certain behaviours, knowledge, values, skills assumptions and expectations. (Source: Institute for Cultural Partnerships): ◊ http://www.culturalpartnerships.org/ pruductspubs/glossary.asp. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) There are differing views as to what constitutes a CALD background. The distinguishing features include, but are not limited to: • Country of origin • Languages spoken at home • Family ties • Cultural and religious background • Self identification Equity The term emphasises fairness in process and outcome, such as equal access to government services, which should be developed and delivered on the basis of fair treatment of clients who are eligible to receive them. The term also refers to the allocation of public resources fairly. It is important to note however, that equity may not guarantee equal results. Ethnic Ethnic is a term used to refer to the identity of groups and communities based on shared characteristics such as language, cultures, religion, history, geographic origin or social traditions. However, in Australia this term is mostly used to refer to immigrants of non-English speaking background or their descendants. It is not used to refer to people of Anglo-Celtic origin of any generation in Australia, although it is important to note that everybody has an ethnicity or an ethnic belonging. First Generation Migrant An immigrant / migrant born overseas. Humanitarian Entrant There are a number of Humanitarian Entrant visa categories including refugees, asylum seekers, Women at Risk, and Special Humanitarian Program Visa Holders. Asylum seekers, have arrived in Australia without recognition of refugee status, and are placed on interim visas. (Source: Steve Francis & Sarah Cornfoot, October 2007 “Multicultural youth in Australia: Settlement and Transition”) Migrants / Immigrants A migrant or immigrant is identified as a person who leaves his or her country for a range of personal, social and economic reasons. Migrants have usually been able to prepare for their departure and are usually able to return to their country of origin. However, young people who migrate with families may have had little choice in the decision to migrate. Further, distinctions between “migrant” and “refugee” may be blurred as many migrants have had similar experiences to refugees but were able to access other migration processes. (Source: Steve Francis & Sarah Cornfoot, October 2007, “Multicultural youth in Australia: Settlement and Transition”)
Multiculturalism The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) defines multiculturalism through the following statements: • Multiculturalism acknowledges, accepts and respects the cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity of contemporary Australia. • Multiculturalism acknowledges the unique position of our indigenous Australians as First Nation people. • Multiculturalism provides a framework for the just and equitable access to national resources, inclusive decision-making, and the rights of all to live without fear of prejudice, discrimination and vilification. • Multiculturalism recognises and promotes the socio-economic potential of diversity and facilitates and supports participation of all Australians in building a strong, harmonious and fair community. The Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 uses the following terms to describe the core principles of multiculturalism: 2) Parliament further recognises that all Victorians come from diverse cultural, religious, racial and linguistic backgrounds and values the richness that such diversity brings to the Victorian community; 3) (a) All individuals in Victoria are entitled to mutual respect and understanding regardless of their cultural, religious, racial and linguistic backgrounds; (b) All individuals and institutions in Victoria should promote and preserve diversity and cultural heritage within the context of shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities; (c) All individuals in Victoria (regardless of background) have shown that they can work together to build a positive and progressive future and this cooperation is to be encouraged so as to enhance Victoria as a great place in which to live, work, invest and raise a family; and (d) All individuals in Victoria are equally entitled to access opportunities and participate in and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of this State. (Source Multicultural Victoria Act no.100/2004 Part 2) New / Small and Emerging Communities The broad definition of the term includes those communities who have recently arrived in Australia, are still settling with no support or family networks. They lack familiarity with the systems and mainstream services and may require time and assistance to settle. Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) This describes people who have been born overseas or whose parents or grandparents were born overseas and whose first language is not English. It may also mean that the cultural background of the person is non Anglo-Celtic. Race-based Discrimination Discrimination refers to those behaviours or practices that result in avoidable and unfair inequalities across groups in society based on race, ethnicity, culture or religion. Discrimination can either be direct or indirect. Racism Racism is a belief that human races have distinctive characteristics, which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others. Racism is a barrier which sometimes is built into and supported by our social, political and economic systems and institutions. Refugee The United Nations 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, to which Australia is a signatory, defines refugees as: those who are “outside their country of nationality or their usual country of residence and are unable or unwilling to return or to seek the protection of that country due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion”. Throughout this document “refugees” refers to those with “refugee-like experience” regardless of visa classification. 37 Religion It may be defined as a particular collection of ideas and / or practices that involve issues of personal conviction, conscience or faith that relate to the nature and place of humanity in the universe. It may also refer to the relation of humanity to things supernatural, and that encourage or require adherents to observe particular standards or codes of conduct or participate in specific practices having supernatural significance. These ideas or practices are held by an identifiable group who see them as a religion or system of beliefs. (HREOC 1998) Second Generation Migrant Australian born children of immigrant parents. unaccompanied Refugee Minor Unaccompanied Minors are young people (under 18) who have arrived in Australia with no close adult relative able or willing to care for them. They usually become ‘wards of the state’ through the Refugee Minor Program. (Source: Steve Francis & Sarah Cornfoot, October 2007 “Multicultural youth in Australia: Settlement and Transition”)
Page 1: CITY OF GREATER GEELONG Multicultur
Page 4 and 5: 4 Foreword by Cr John Mitchell, may
Page 6 and 7: Photo by Trevor Pendock courtesy Di
Page 8 and 9: 8 Section Heading Executive Summary
Page 10 and 11: 10 Introduction Taking the lead Loc
Page 12 and 13: 12 Policy Context A relevant human
Page 14 and 15: 14 The City of Greater Geelong A Mu
Page 16 and 17: 16 Post World War II Migration Geel
Page 18 and 19: 18 Geelong is a good place, very di
Page 20 and 21: 20 Key Achievements in Multicultura
Page 22 and 23: 22 Multicultural Action Plan Workin
Page 24 and 25: 24 Multicultural Action Plan 2011-2
Page 26 and 27: 26 Access and Equity action 2 objec
Page 28 and 29: 28 Responsive Services action 3 obj
Page 30 and 31: 30 Responsive Services (…continue
Page 32 and 33: 32 Support to Community (…continu
Page 34 and 35: Photo: instant Photos Australia “
Page 38 and 39: 38 List of Abbreviations ABS Austra
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