In the lead up to next month's State budget, ECCV has been busy meeting key political leaders, government departments and sector stakeholders about policy priorities for Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Message from the Chair
Our advocacy priorities were discussed at our online Member Forum on 24 March, where we also had the opportunity to hear from FECCA CEO Mohammad Al-Khafaji about national priorities heading into the next Federal Election.
Due to ongoing uncertainty about the vaccine rollout, the FECCA biennial national Conference which was planned for November this year will now take place in March 2022 at the Melbourne Sofitel. We look forward to welcoming delegates from around the country as we co-host Australia’s premiere multicultural conference.
During Cultural Diversity Week we welcomed two new Anti-Racism Ambassadors to our All One Together alliance – City of Casey and Moray & Agnew Lawyers. We look forward to working with them and being part of the leading role being played by Victoria on Anti-Racism initiatives.
ECCV is pleased to be working with the Office for Disability on the new State Disability Plan consultations, which are being facilitated for the ECCV by NEDA President, Margherita Coppolino. We are also set to begin work on the COVID-19 disability advocacy outreach program, in collaboration with ADEC and MRC North West Melbourne, to ensure that people with disability from migrant and refugee communities are not left behind by the pandemic.
ECCV is heading to Shepparton this week for a gathering of the regional ethnic communities’ councils, which aims to lead to greater cooperation and better outcomes for CALD communities living in regional Victoria. ECCV is also supporting the establishment of a new organisation to give a stronger voice to migrant and refugee communities in the Outer South East, one of the most culturally diverse and fastest growing areas in Victoria.
This Sunday, I am proud to be paying tribute to ECCV Life Member George Zangalis, who will be honoured at a Celebration of his 90 Years of Life and 70 Years of Activism. The event is being held in partnership with his family, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria, 3ZZZ and many other organisations that loved George. I look forward to seeing many ECCV members there.
Warm regards, Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
COVIDSafe Plans for Small Retailers Webinar | 28 April 2021
All Victorian businesses are required to have a COVIDSafe Plan or risk hefty fines. ECCV is jointly hosting a webinar with the Australian Retailers Association focused on helping the small business retail community create and review their COVIDSafe Plans to ensure they comply with COVIDSafe requirements.
Voice of the Outer South East Forum | 29 April 2021
The Voice of the Outer South East forum aims to establish a new grass roots organisation to give a stronger voice to migrant and refugee communities across Melbourne's Outer South East. The forum is being hosted by City of Casey and supported by ECCV, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Greater Dandenong and Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre.
All One Together Campaign Ambassadors
City of Port Phillip and Moray & Agnew Lawyers have become Ambassadors for our All One Together campaign, which is continuing ECCV’s anti-racism work with companies and community organisations through the All One Together alliance.
State Disability Plan CALD Consultations
ECCV has begun consultations with CALD communities regarding the new State Disability Plan and review of the Disability Act. The consultations are being coordinated on behalf of the Victorian Office for Disability with ECCV member organisations. For information, contact Shahnoor Shah at sshah@eccv.org.au.
New Disability Self Advocacy Project
ECCV's new Raise Our Voices - Disability Self-advocacy for CALD Communities program is being delivered across metropolitan Melbourne, Shepparton and Gippsland. Find out more at a Disability Information Session that is being held on Thursday 29 April at the Melbourne Polytechnic Preston campus with our Community Connector team.
NDIS Independent Assessments Inquiry
ECCV welcomes the review of proposed independent assessments for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Our submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS Inquiry into Independent Assessments was based on ECCV’s experience delivering the National Community Connector Program for people from CALD backgrounds.
Victorian LGBTIQ+ Strategy
ECCV's response to the Victorian LGBTIQ+ Strategy Directions Paper includes recommendations on how to better support LGBTIQA+ people of CALD background.
The Directions Paper will guide the Victorian Government’s efforts to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ communities over the next decade.
COVID Community Outreach Program
ECCV's COVID Community Outreach Team has concluded its six-month project, which included COVID-19 Business Support Walks to help retailers and a three-part online Workshop Series in March.
Thank you to Worksafe Victoria, Tenants Victoria and Brotherhood of St Laurence for participating in the project and thank you to the dedicated project team.
NOW HIRING: Media & Communications Officer
We are seeking a creative and driven Media & Communications Officer to work as part of a dynamic team, producing and coordinating high quality content for our communication platforms.
Speak My Language
ECCV has recruited the first Victorian "Travellers" to create podcasts about living well with disability for the national Speak My Language program. We are looking for people who speak Maltese, Nuer-South Sudanese, Somali, Oromo and Amharic to be interviewed.
Gas Industry CALD Consultations
ECCV is recruiting 50 representatives from CALD communities to participate in consultations with the gas industry to help shape future planning. You must be available for three workshops. Participants will receive $100 per workshop.
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: 9354 9555
Email: eccv@eccv.org.au
Website: www.eccv.org.au