Highlights from NSW Government Agencies and Local Councils the Principles of Multiculturalism in Practice – Highlights from NSW Government Agencies and Local Councils

2 SECTION The Diversity Dividend Fire & Rescue NSW Harmony Day 2011 Principles of Multiculturalism in practice - highlights from NSW Government agencies and local councils The Principles of Multiculturalism in practice – highlights from NSW Government agencies and local councils The depth and breadth of the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity in New South Wales compels us to find mechanisms for maintaining community harmony and social cohesion. The Principles of Multiculturalism, outlined in section 3 of the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 (the Act), provide the conceptual core around which all of the objectives and functions of the Community Relations Commission revolve. The Principles articulate the values of multiculturalism as the policy of the state of New South Wales (s.3(3)), to apply to every individual and group residing in New South Wales. However, the legislation places the responsibility for observing and upholding those values on the chief executive officer of every government agency (s.3(5)). This section of the Act was amended in 2010 to bring greater clarity to the positioning of multiculturalism in New South Wales, and to highlight the fact that the policy is not about maintaining separate identities in a shared space, but about making a common commitment to the broader values of the Australian system of governance. In New South Wales, multiculturalism is founded on the following principles (the ‘Principles of Multiculturalism’): (a) the people of New South Wales are of different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds who, either individually or in community with other members of their respective groups, are free to profess, practise and maintain their own linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic heritage This principle commonly finds expression through the celebration of cultural or religious events. It may also include attempts to encourage communities to maintain their heritage by recording and sharing their cultural practices with younger generations, or with the broader community. (b) all individuals in New South Wales, irrespective of their linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, should demonstrate a unified commitment to Australia, its interests and future 2 0 1 T and should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a R democratic framework As a country, Australia has strong legislative, judicial and executive provisions in place to guarantee fairness for all citizens. The rule of law and democracy are solid foundations upon which our diverse community can equitably enjoy all that this country has to offer. It is important to recognise that while diversity is respected and facilitated, different cultural or religious practices should not interfere with those underlying values that are essential to our systems of governance. (c) all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O T I O N S R E P A R E L Y C O M U N I T 18 The provision of interpreting and translation services contributes greatly to the capacity of non-English speaking individuals to access and use public services in a meaningful way. This is underscored by policies and programs that are inclusive and respectful of cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. Clear communication, and marketing to diverse ethnic groups, enhances participation in public life. (d) all individuals and institutions should respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the common language This principle recognises the common platform of the English language, and formal systems of governance and public institutions as the core around which all cultural, religious and linguistic expression should circulate. Within that common framework provision should be made to acknowledge, and respect, diversity. (e) all individuals should have the greatest possible opportunity to make use of and participate in relevant activities and programmes provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales The NSW Government is mandated to provide services for all persons resident in the state. However, it is widely acknowledged that not all people have equal capacity to participate in government initiated or sponsored programs. This principle directs government agencies to make special provision to enable all members of our culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse community to participate (f) all institutions of New South Wales should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of New South Wales as a valuable resource and promote this resource to maximise the development of the State The introduction of the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 a decade ago has underscored the positive contribution of diversity to the social and economic prosperity of the state. The declaration made in this principle has encouraged NSW agencies to look upon diversity as something to be celebrated and harnessed to achieve the broader goalsof our state. This chapter highlights some of the programs and projects undertaken by NSW Government agencies and local councils which illustrate the Principles of Multiculturalism in practice. The majority of O T I O N S R E P A R E L Y C O M U N I T initiatives will have occurred during the calendar year of 2011, however some examples occurred during the latter months of 2010. Because these initiatives missed the production deadline for the earlier report, they have been included in this report. Similarly, the 2012 report may contain some activities from late 2011. The initiatives featured in this chapter demonstrate innovative solutions to emerging and complex issues, the importance of partnership between public authorities and communities, and the invaluable input of volunteers. R T 2 0 1 19 COMMUNITY Ageing, Disability and Home Care – Department of Family and Community Services Ageing, Disability and Home Care released its first Language Services Policy (the Policy) and Language Services Guidelines in late 2010 and has started implementing the Policy, to enable ADHC staff to effectively communicate with clients and carers with low proficiency in English. In order to promote the Policy and its implications for ADHC staff and the funded sector, and to increase staff cultural competency, a series of seven workshops on the effective use of language services was delivered to approximately 260 staff across all of ADHC’s regions. A specific training program was developed for these workshops. This training program will continue to be refined and used by regions for future training sessions. The Language Services Guidelines and a range of practical factsheets on language services have also been developed and circulated to ADHC staff and funded partners as additional resources. These are available on ADHC’s intranet and through the Service Provider Portal. PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE In partnership with SBS, Ageing, Disability and Home Care launched a series of eleven radio broadcasts called the HomeReach series in February 2011. The HomeReach series is aimed at increasing awareness about services that are available to frail older people, younger people with disabilities, and their carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The series was produced in the following nine languages: Assyrian, Cantonese, English, Greek, Hindi, Laotian, Macedonian, Turkish, and Vietnamese. The series is now available by podcast at the Ageing, Disability & Home Care’s Home reach 2011 series SBS website. Transcripts of the episodes are also available on the ADHC intranet and website. In May 2011, Ageing, Disability and Home Care introduced important changes to the way the agency collects and remediates cultural diversity data. Improved data collection will have a significant positive impact on ADHC’s ability to identify needs and plan culturally appropriate and effective services that meet the needs of people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. ADHC staff are now recording consistent and more detailed information about both clients and primary carers. A factsheet which provides a rationale for these changes and guides staff in collecting this information 2 0 1 has been prepared and distributed through the ADHC intranet. T R The Building Inclusive Communities in Auburn Pilot Project is a major new initiative, based on a partnership between Ageing, Disability and Home Care’s Metro North Region and Auburn Diversity Services Inc (ADSI). The key objective of the project is to support community development, so that people with a disability and their families/carers are included, have valued social roles and can fully participate as citizens. The project involves raising awareness of disability, breaking down stigma associated with disability, providing support to families accessing entry points into the community, and improving the integration of disability services into the mainstream community. The project has engaged and worked with all people with a disability and their families/carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have been identified as being able to benefit from support. C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S R E P O T I O N S R E P A R E L Y C O M U N I T 20 Commission for Children and Young People The NSW Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) holds regular seminars and workshops to provide information on child safe and child-friendly practices to individuals and organisations. Across late 2010 and 2011, the CCYP pursued a number of initiatives to communicate these practices to culturally and linguistically diverse communities in New South Wales. Working in consultation with the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, they translated the Child Safe Check Up information sheet into four community languages: Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.

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