eNews #2, April 2024
- AWAFN
- Jun 26, 2024
- 17 min read
Updated: Oct 28
African Youth Engagement and Connecting Pathways
The Victoria Government’s Department of Justice and Community Safety funded our AWAFN African Youth Engagement and Connecting Pathways Project for two years to February 2024. The initiative addresses social isolation, built resilience, and strengthened children’s and young people's connections to peers, family and the wider community. Activities delivered included:
Weekly Sudanese Girls Netball games through the Stallions Netball Club
Weekly Boys Basketball games through the Straws Hats Basketball Club
Social Soccer
Swimming lessons for young people
Beach water safety education.
AWAFN is now seeking guidance, aides and genuine partnerships to enable the continuation of this program's activities. If you or your organisation are interested, please contact Theresa Ssali by email at awafn11@gmail.com
Harmony Day. Everyone Belongs.
Our society is a huge melting pot of colour, flavour and diversity.
Held every year on 21 March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’.
It's a day to celebrate Australia's diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. AWAFN members Janipher Nassali and Abiola Akinbiyi were delighted to attend this event hosted by the Australian Multicultural Women Association (AMWA). It was such a vibrant occasion; and with great food! Diversity at its best. Rainbow nation.
Harmony Day's African Origins
On 21 March 1960, thousands of unarmed protesters gathered outside a police station in South Africa to call for an end to apartheid laws that meant Black people couldn't travel freely. Sixty-nine unarmed protesters were killed and hundreds more were injured in what would later become known as the Sharpeville massacre. ABC News published an op ed by Ahmed Yussuf on 21 March 2023 - From a massacre in apartheid South Africa to 'feel good' multiculturalism: The dark history of Harmony Day - read it here.
Australia's 'Harmony Day' - March 21 - is in fact the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; the date was chosen by the UN to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre. In 1999, a proposed anti-racism strategy promised by the Australian Government was softened down to the 'Living in Harmony' campaign with Harmony Day as its centerpiece. This was because the federal government of the day feared push-back from the broader Australian community.
"For much of the Australia population, racism remains a confronting and uncomfortable topic. There’s no better example of this than Harmony Week – our annual celebration of multiculturalism and social cohesion which, some argue, acts as a smoke screen to avoid the tough conversations about racism in Australia", writes Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO of Settlement Services International, on the occasion of Harmony Day 2024. Read her opinion piece.
International Women's Day 2024
'Count Her in' - Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress and Inspire Inclusion
For many of us, International Women’s Day holds great significance as we continue to push for the advancement of women’s human rights and gender equality across the globe. Together we foster inclusion and seek to ensure that every woman regardless of social status is ‘COUNTED IN’.
This year, our AWAFN Board Member Sarah Chong, wearing her MiCare hat, approached thought leaders, community members and staff at MiCare about the importance of International Women’s Day and how we can all inspire inclusion that transcends gender, ethnicity and religion. Watch the video on YouTube.
Introducing AWAFN Board Member Sarah Chong
AWAFN eNews invited Sarah to write a few words about how she came to be involved with the African Women's And Families Network
Sarah's connection to Africa began in 2010 when she first travelled to Kenya. Throughout her studies she had read about what was happening in various African nations, and was heavily influenced by her peers at university who had come from Darfur.
Sarah writes: "Upon finishing my studies, like many graduates, I struggled to gain meaningful work in the development space and this is where my journey began. The moment is still clear in my mind as I sat down, feeling frustrated after yet another rejection, saw a world globe and thought why not? I spun the globe, landed on Kenya and started looking into women’s human rights and found Kibera. Never did I think I would find a home away from home where over the course of the last thirteen years, I have travelled back and forth in a voluntary capacity, working together with a small group of women who are HIV Aids infected and their affected families. For me Kibera is a place that many believe is dangerous; but what I see is a community that treats me as one of their own and supports me as I support them."
"In Australia, I mainly work together with East African communities through my role at MiCare as the team leader for Women’s Empowerment and Safety; and also as a multicultural community leader. I would often consult extensively with community leaders to identify ways of working together on key issues, forming support groups, identifying funding, mentoring, connections with other community leaders and capacity building. Particularly for AWAFN, I first met our Co-founder and Board Chairperson Theresa Ssali in 2019 - and immediately felt a close connection. She is a woman of great wisdom and definitely an unsung hero with whom I have had the privilege of having many discussions about AWAFN, its future and the way forward."
"For AWAFN, I currently manage their social media; but also support in all the above plus undertake advocacy, support at events, governance advice, policy creation, building cross cultural relationships and anything else that can help grow AWAFN."
You too can find out more about volunteering with AWAFN by emailing your enquiries to Sarah at awafn11@gmail.com
Revisiting IWD 2022 celebrations with the Burundian Community
Our AWAFN Chairperson - Theresa Ssali - is always active in the community and works tirelessly to champion the rights of women by working with others to continue breaking the bias, cracking the code for gender equality and ensuring every woman is 'Counted In'. A couple of years ago she and AWAFN Board member Sarah Chong had a fantastic International Women's Day event with the Burundian Cultural Ladies of Victoria. Looking back, it was a memorable opportunity to mark this important occasion and the celebration of our cultures. Watch the video!
A Summer Day At The Beach
In January this year, with the hot weather, came increased beach activities 🏖🛟. Over summer, water safety becomes more important and the African Women's and Families Network is committed to providing information to African communities about how to stay safe in hot weather and in the water.
Check out some of our amazing pictures and video from our esteemed Chairwoman Theresa Sengaaga Ssali at the Water Safety Day we held last January. What a wonderful day it was; everyone had a great time learning and putting into practice their water safety skills. AWAFN can't wait to run this again! Thank you all who came along.🙂 Watch the video!
Water safety training for Young People at Altona this Saturday!
The Ugandan Community in Victoria has teamed up with the Life Saving Victoria Diversity and Inclusion team to organise water safety training at Altona beach for youth this coming Saturday, April 6 at Altona Beach (127 The Esplanade Street). This programme is aimed at helping create awareness and teaching basic water survival tips to youth to keep them safe around the beach, swimming pool or any body of water. Please share this with your friends and family asap. This is free training, but registration is required for those who are going to participate. Space is limited to 50 participants on a first come, first registered basis. Register here now.
Changing the Cultural Landscape of Greater Dandenong
Mmaskepe Sejoe was in New York City last month participating in the United Nations sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). She is one of ten migrant women featured in 'Know My Story' - a book launched last year at The Drum theatre in Dandenong. The project was auspiced by Wellsprings for Women and curated by Lella Cariddi OAM.
In telling her story, Mmaskepe says: "... my parents taught me that if I do not raise my voice when I see injustices nobody will help me when I need a voice to advocate for me". Copies of the book Know My Story are available for sale from Wellsprings.
Getting More Diverse Women on Boards
Sydney-based Malini Raj GAICD SF Fin is the Commonwealth Bank's national Head of Community Engagement and was a member of the inaugural FECCA Women’s Advisory Committee. She joined the Women on Boards Cultural Diversity Committee which was established in 2020 with the aim of addressing barriers to leadership and in board and committee roles for culturally diverse women.
In the March 2023 FECCA Mosaic Magazine, Malini said: “You can’t be what you can’t see. Since strategies are formulated at the board table, unless there is cultural diversity at board level, then strategies are unlikely to be reflective of the communities that they serve, and executive leadership may be implementing strategies that don’t have an appropriate diversity lens applied to them” (see pages 26 & 27).
Issue 57 of FECCA’s national magazine, Australian Mosaic celebrated the remarkable achievements of multicultural and migrant women in Australia!
Restoring Hope
NAS Recovery Centre (NRC) is a community-based Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and Mental Health treatment service located in Cranbourne West. They deliver collaborative and culturally determined substance use and related mental health issues support to youth, adults and families from African backgrounds. In person group and virtual sessions run weekly. Read about the NRC's recent “Together We Rise” event in Cranbourne's Star News local paper.
NRC's mission and vision are to create safety and space where people will be motivated to engage in recovery and personal growth; to reduce socio-cultural barriers to accessing treatment and provide socially-aware services where African communities are supported to thrive.
Human Rights and Equity for Australians of African Descent
Last month, the African Australian Advocacy Centre, in partnership with RMIT University and Western Sydney University launched a groundbreaking report titled " We Belong Here: A Framework for Human Rights and Equity for Australians of African Descent".
The 'We Belong Here' report highlighted the significant challenges and opportunities encountered by African Australians, encompassing issues such as racial profiling, educational obstacles, discrimination, trauma, and mental health concerns. The report is not just a documentation of issues arising; it also stands as a testament to resilience and innovation. Read the report.
The Inaugural Racial Justice Conference, Sydney, April 19th.
A groundbreaking event - the first-ever Racial Justice Conference in Sydney - will be presented by the Racial Justice Centre! Get ready for enlightening discussions with thought leaders across law, academia and the arts. We'll tackle pressing questions: How can we shed light on invisible race discrimination? How does race intersect with our laws and institutions? What constitutes workplace discrimination? And how does racism affect our health?
Powered by passionate lawyers and students, the Racial Justice Centre is committed to reducing systemic racial injustices. Our vision? A world free from the shackles of racism. The Racial Justice Centre is a not for profit, charity and all funds raised after covering the cost of the conference, will go back into the Centre, ensuring access to justice. For updates, visit www.racialjustice.au or email event@racialjustice.au.
Racism is a health issue
People who experience racism are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and poor physical health than those who don’t - racism is absolutely a health issue. That’s why Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) is making sure they combat racism when they see it – whether it’s online or in real life. And it’s why they will keep supporting community groups around the state to create safe spaces for First Nations people and people of colour to gather, share and grow.
Racism is a key driver of ill-health and health inequalities. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to racism’s harms. Intergroup attitudes, beliefs and behaviours are established in childhood, making this a priority time for action. Read the research.
Reporting in Response to Racism
Racist abuse and insults in public spaces is one of the most commonly experienced forms of racism in Victoria. This Victoria University research was conducted by Mario Peucker , Tom Clark & Holly Claridge . The study, in four local areas in Melbourne (2020-2022), found that 61% of residents had experienced racism in the past 12 months, and for 57% of them this included racist insults and abuse.
In community discussions, the research team listened to many accounts about the N-word being yelled at kids at school, people getting racially abused in shopping centres, parking lots, on public transport and in the streets on a regular basis and many other forms of racism. Read the Report.
New survey on ending racism in Australia
The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) has been commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission to undertake nationwide multicultural community consultations to inform the development of a National Anti-Racism Framework.
As part of this consultation process, FECCA have developed a survey to hear about the experiences, knowledge and insights people have on ending racism in Australia and seeks to hear from a broad range of people from culturally and linguistically diverse and negatively racialised backgrounds. The survey is de-identified, will not ask for personal details and will take around 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey has been closed (link removed).
Update on Victoria's Anti-Racism Taskforce
The Victorian Government has committed to develop a new state-wide Anti-Racism Strategy, to proactively prevent and address racism in Victoria.
Established in June 2021 and convened by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, the Anti-Racism Taskforce provides strategic advice and recommendations to ensure the Anti-Racism Strategy sets out a clear and targeted roadmap to reduce racism and discrimination in Victoria.
For all enquiries, email: antiracism.taskforce@dpc.vic.gov.au
Migrant & Refugee Inclusive Disaster Preparedness
Natural disasters can affect anyone, but the way we experience them isn’t uniform. Research shows us that disasters can often make inequality worse, especially when we take a one-sized fits-all approach to disaster management. For migrants and refugees, being overlooked in disaster preparedness, response and recovery can have dire effects. For example, migrants with regional residency requirements often find they cannot move away from high-risk zones in preparation for disasters.
Centring the voices and leadership of migrants and refugees can help us prepare, respond and recovery from disasters in ways that include and strengthen the whole community. The Multicultural Centre for Women's Health best practice guide sets out nine steps for inclusive disaster management.
Developing a Multicultural Aged Care Strategy
The Australian aged care sector is witnessing an alarming increase in racism.
While racism exists in various industries, its prevalence in aged care has not been adequately documented. It is crucial to gather better evidence and implement evidence-based interventions to address this issue effectively, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of aged care staff.
"...this issue is both a matter of human rights and economics. Everyone deserves to feel safe and be treated fairly at work", writes Professor Bianca Brijnath who is Director of Social Gerontology at the National Ageing Research Institute. "To attract and retain our vital aged care workforce, we must take steps to address the racism migrant workers face on the job." Read Professor Brijnath's article on the ECCV's website.
ECCV provided feedback on the federal government's new Aged Care Act (Exposure Draft) last month to ensure the law meets the needs of older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, as well as carers and workers in the sector. A key recommendation in ECCV's submission is the development of a Multicultural Aged Care Strategy to elevate the cultural appropriateness of the aged care system as a whole.
New Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board
Lawyer and human rights activist, Nyadol Nyuon OAM, has been appointed to the newly established federal Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) Ministerial Advisory Board. The board will provide independent, expert and strategic advice to the Minister of Skills and Training, and to the JSA Commissioner in relation to JSA’s legislated functions and the development of annual work plans.
Nyadol is a highly respected community advocate focusing on legal reform and multiculturalism and we look forward to seeing her contribution in informing the nation's future workforce needs. She is also a Panel member on the federal government's Multicultural Framework Review (see below). Since January 2022, she has been the Director of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre - Victoria University's city-based centre for legal education, training and research.
National Multicultural Framework Review - What's Next?
The aim of the recent Multicultural Framework Review - Chaired by Dr Hass Dellal AO - was to look at ways for government and the community, to work together to support a cohesive multicultural society and to advance a vibrant and prosperous future for all Australians.
AWAFN members Abiola Akinbiyi and Con Pagonis OAM participated in the Review Panel's consultation with the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria last August. The Panel has now finalised their report and this is currently under consideration by the federal government.
Australia’s first Nigerian seniors club tackles social isolation
Australia’s first Nigerian seniors club is giving its members a chance to connect, support each other and celebrate the joys of life.
The club’s roots trace back to 2018, when its founders, Dr Moses Adepoju and Nze Nkem Anele, saw the challenges Nigerian seniors were experiencing in their adopted homeland. The Nigerian group now has its sights set on organising more excursions and programs in 2024. An article about them was published in the Spring 2023 edition of the ECCV's 'Golden Years' magazine.
Africause Homework Club in Flemington
Now that we are well into the new year and kids are settled back into school, Africause has recommenced its Homework Club every Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm at the Djerring Flemington Hub, located at 25 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington VIC 3031. They look forward to seeing old and new participants in 2024.
For more information call 03 9042 1604 or email Africause at info@africause.org.au
Community Radio for African Australians on 3ZZZ
Melbourne’s busy streets and daily rhythms. There is a voice that brings a community members together. This podcast explores the inspiring journey of Matoc Achol, the Sudanese program presenter at 3ZZZ community radio station.
Radio for the Community! Spoken Histories From 3ZZZ highlights the impact that 3ZZZ broadcasters have made to their communities, increasing diversity in community media, benefits of multiculturalism, sacrifices made by new migrants in Australia, and benefits of volunteering in community radio. To find regular programs in other languages, take a look through the 3ZZZ Program Guide.
Ausecuma Beats - 'Dakar Bamako'...
Ausecuma Beats formed as a band of musicians from Australia, the Senegambia region, Cuba, and Mali ... and hence the name Ausecuma, combining the four names into one word. Their new album - Dakar Bamako - features a total of fourteen musicians from three cities around the world, coming together in a true cross-cultural collaboration that celebrates stories of migration, cooperation and the unifying power of music and dance as a force to bring humanity together.
The band are constantly shifting shape and sound, in search of a synthesis between West African highlife, boogie, afrobeat and funk with some more contemporary inputs from Melbourne’s flourishing soul, jazz and dance music scenes. Check it out!
Come Together with Ajak Kwai
Originally hailing from the small town of Bor on the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan, music has always been part of Ajak Kwai's life.
Performing in English, Arabic, and her native Dinka language, Ajak Kwai’s music draws upon South Sudanese funk and blues influences and brings together elements of traditional music alongside more contemporary genres. The result is something notably unique, powerful and uplifting - African Australian music!
Ajak presents her very own weekly radio show - 'Come Together' - which offers listeners a diverse world of music. She plays little known tracks plus your favorite tunes - songs that changed the world, and the tracks that changed our lives - both old and new.
Hear Ajak live on Melbourne Community Radio PBS 106.7FM every Monday afternoon for two hours - 1pm to 3pm; or you can listen back at your leisure online.
See Black Jesus Experience Live in Clayton
Wednesday 17 April 2024, 7:30pm at 'The Count's' (Monash University Clayton Campus).
Winners of the 2023 Music Victoria Multicultural Arts Diasporas Award, Black Jesus Experience is a nine-piece explosion fusing an irresistibly danceable shot of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove.
For this special appearance they are joined by co-conspirator, Australian jazz legend Bob Sedergreen on keyboards.
The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip Hop and the freedom of Jazz.
Black Jesus Experience formed out of the multicultural arts melting pot of inner city Melbourne in 2008 with members from five continents bringing their soul together. They have performed at major events in Australia, Africa, UK and Europe including Glastonbury and Womad, won The Age Best Global Album with Migration and Best National Tour with esteemed collaborator ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke with whom they recorded their release, Cradle Of Humanity.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The theme of this year's International Day - March 21st - was “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”. Racial discrimination and the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to destroy lives and curtail opportunities, preventing billions of people from enjoying their full human rights and freedoms.
This year’s theme has been linked to the International Decade for People of African Descent, which spans the timeframe from 2015 to 2024. In proclaiming this Decade, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group, whose human rights must be promoted and protected. Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent, including Australia.
April 30 is the UN's International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day is an International Day declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2011 “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.” It is celebrated annually on April 30.
Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; fostering gender equality; and promoting freedom of expression. Visit the website.
Africa to host the 2024 International Jazz Day main global event on 30 April
The City of Tangier, Morocco will serve as the 2024 International Jazz Day Global Host and will anchor programs in 190 countries around the world. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, Tangier is known as a melting pot of cultural expressions.
The four-day celebration (April 27-30) will emphasize the city’s jazz heritage and highlight cultural and artistic ties between people in Morocco, Europe and Africa. A culminating All-Star Global Concert will be broadcast from Tangier via YouTube, Facebook, JazzDay.com, the United Nations and UNESCO to millions of viewers worldwide.
2024 Welcoming Australia Symposium in Brisbane
The Welcoming Australia Symposium brings together international, national and local practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, business innovators and civic leaders to share and discuss the challenges, benefits and opportunities of migration, settlement, cultural diversity and inclusion.
Gain insights into leading practice in welcoming and inclusion at this leading national forum in Brisbane over two days - 1 & 2 May - with an Opening Reception on 30 April. Scholarship options are available for individuals and small NGOs. Details and Registration here.
The AWAFN eNews publishes content as it’s contributed or sourced with minimal editing. Material included does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor nor the AWAFN Board, nor should its inclusion be seen to necessarily constitute an endorsement.
AWAFN are located at Level 1, 31 Business Hub, 15-23 Langhorne Street Dandenong 3175; or find us on Facebook.
For further information or enquiries, email AWAFN at: awafn11@gmail.com
Comments