Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria

I’m not sure there is a more important event going on in Victoria at the moment because this is the gathering of what makes Melbourne and Victoria tick. I say here, multiculturalism is very much Victoria’s success story and it is absolutely intrinsic to our economy and our culture. And I’m very proud to celebrate it at every opportunity and I seek that opportunity as often as I possibly can.

Multiculturalism in Victoria has been about building on the diversity of our community. It is one the most successful – and I’d probably argue, the most successful – bipartisan policy we have in this state. It has stood the test of time. From time to time, it is tested and it is important that the leadership of our community resists and, not only defend, but promote multiculturalism.

All Australians originated from somewhere, except of course our Indigenous communities, over the past 200 years. We all have that, and those backgrounds are to be celebrated.

And of course, global changes impact locally, they impact nationally in the way we connect internationally.

Multiculturalism is, of course, a bridge. It’s a bridge between communities, it’s a bridge beyond communities. It’s a bridge we cross to fulfill our global and our civic dreams as well, and that cultural diversity and exciting trade and cultural opportunities for our state. Multiculturalism is one of our key competitive advantages.

How can Victoria move into the future as a harmonious, diverse community with a strong, cohesive identity?

This is one of the questions the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) biennial conference, Victoria’s Multicultural Identity will explore, to find solutions for the state’s identity challenges.

“We at the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria believe it’s time to shift our focus from simple multicultural definitions about ‘the right to maintain one’s culture and identity’ to how Victorian policies, programs and services are better able to respond to cultural and linguistic diversity,” ECCV chairperson Joe Caputo said.

Conference key-note speaker, Macquarie University’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Social Inclusion) Professor Gail Whiteford believes the way forward in how we think about, and do, multiculturalism, is through a civic philosophy, and a presumption that people’s cultural identities have value.

In her speech, “Inclusion, Multiculturalism and Identity: Time for Transformative Leadership”, Professor Whiteford asked the audience how do people participate in society, and specifically, how do they do so within a multicultural frame that allows identity to be asserted rather than homogenised.

“While it’s tempting to abrogate responsibility to those in government, in reality, we as the polity, have the ability to influence and create change in very powerful and in diverse ways – unencumbered by partisan interests,” Professor Whiteford said.

“Let’s also show transformative leadership in creating those initiatives which usher in the next era of representation of complex, diverse identities, where the multicultural and multilingual capabilities of Australians are not just tolerated, or celebrated but are actively profiled – as an investment in next generation leadership.”

Today’s conference aims to address key multicultural issues affecting community groups and organisations, enhance strategic relationships between government, decision-makers, key policy thinkers and community leaders, provide learning about best practice policy and projects to improve your organisation’s implementation of multicultural policy, help develop multicultural identity strategies through reflection, creation and discussion, and provide access to the latest policy developments.

This week is your last chance to buy tickets for the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria State Conference, Victoria’s Multicultural Identity to be held next week! The conference, on Tuesday, 20 November, is bringing together government, policy makers, academics, service providers and community leaders to find intelligent solutions to Victoria’s identity challenges.

We have an exciting and dynamic range of people to discuss and address key multicultural issues, enhance strategic relationships, best practice policy and projects, develop multicultural identity strategies and access latest policy developments. As well as some of Victoria's key politicians speaking, afternoon breakout sessions will focus on a number of key issues:

How do we create a state with a multicultural identity rather than a state with a multicultural policy?

The role of the arts in shaping how we see ourselves and how we view others

It’s a disconnect! diversity in the community isn’t  matched by diversity in the workplace.

Exploring youth self identity in a globalised world

Combating racism to protect identity formation

Belonging, DisAbility and Identity

Freedom of speech, racial vilification and the media

How can cultural identity be respected in a generic aged care system?

The dehumanising effect of perceived identity

We have an exciting line-up of speakers, including:

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu

Professor Gail Whiteford, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion), Macquarie University 

Professor Afef Benessaieh, Professor of International Studies, University of Quebec, Canada

Chin Tan, chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission

Professor Fethi Mansouri, director, Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University

Yasmin Hassen, Victorian Multicultural Commission youth commissioner

Karen Toohey, CEO, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Monash University

Dr Hass Dellal, CEO, Australian Multicultural Foundation

The conference will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, November 20.

A Gala Dinner will be held in the evening at the Immigration Museum. Tickets to both events are still on sale.

Click here for the latest program and here for the conference flyer to distribute to your networks. Feel free to send this email to your networks also.