Settling In Palmerston North and Feilding - Human Rights Commission

Progress to Date and Priority Actionsfor the Next 12 Months4.1 Progress to DateSince the inception of the Settling In project in Palmerston North and Feilding and the process to develop this community report, a significantamount of related work has already been achieved. Some of these achievements are noted below:• 30 focus groups were held, resulting in the coming together and formalising of some ethnic communities for the first time (including Malaysian,Indonesian and Kenyan groups). This has also resulted in new members for the Manawatu Multicultural Council.• The Palmerston North Forum of Former Refugees has been established, with representation at the National Refugee Forum. Forum membersare from the Burmese, Bhutanese, Congolese, Rwandan and Cambodian communities, with Algerian and Somalian members representingthe Mosque.• Refugee youth are involved in an upcoming Te Papa exhibition, with a young woman from the Rwandan community appointed as the localcoordinator.• The Ethkick09 soccer tournament was successfully implemented – involving 38 different teams representing as many different ethniccommunities – and plans for Ethkick10 are to proceed.SETTLING IN PALMERSTON NORTH AND FEILDING• An Ethnic Committee in Feilding was formed as a result of the focus groups.• A women-only swimming group was established at Freyberg pool (with women lifeguards on duty) to provide swimming, exercise andsocialisation opportunities for women from cultures who feel uncomfortable swimming with men.• Interpreting workshops were successfully held by Interpreting New Zealand.• ‘Rainbow Praise’ was initiated in Palmerston North to bring together all of the different faiths in the community to celebrate, sing and share theirspirituality.• A research project on ‘Diversity in the Workplace’ was completed, based on an international study benchmarking employment practice inAustria and Netherlands as well as New Zealand, and conducted locally by the Office of Ethnic Affairs and Vision Manawatu through VictoriaUniversity.• Key tertiary institutions (IPC, UCOL, Massey) have become involved in the Settling In project, enabling a focus on the interface betweenrefugee/migrant issues and international student issues, and an alignment with broader institutional research objectives.• The newly established Palmerston North Forum of Former Refugees organised a celebration for World Refugee Day and PNCC provided theConvention Centre for a very successful event.• A Human Rights Commission certificate was awarded to DIA, Anglican Friendship Centre, Refugee Services and English Language Partnersto recognise the success of a collaborative programme for older refugees – ‘The Communal Language Discussion Group’.• Ongoing collaboration between government agencies, local councils and NGOs in relation to issues for refugees and migrants.4.2 Priority Actions for the Next 12 MonthsA large number of actions have been suggested throughout the report. Some of these have been accorded a higher priority than others, dependingon identified need and the resources available. The following actions have been highlighted as priorities for the next 12 months:• Develop a Programme of Action as a framework to underpin the ongoing implementation and review of the suggestions and actions identifiedin this Settling In report. This will include the establishment of sector working groups to look at the actions recommended for each of the keyfindings areas, and to progress as agreed.• Develop a central contact / distribution point for information and advice to migrants and former refugees settling in Palmerston North andFeilding.• Develop a written resource for newcomers to Palmerston North and Feilding.• Establish Newcomers Networks in Palmerston North and Feilding.72• Establish a Volunteer Centre in Palmerston North.