Thanks to the impressive vaccine uptake in Victoria in recent weeks, it will be wonderful to be able to come together and see our city come back to life with the further easing of restrictions this weekend.
Message from the Chair
However, we know the impacts of COVID-19 have not been felt equally across the community. Economic and social impacts like unemployment, closure of small businesses,
social isolation and disruption to education have disproportionately impacted migrant and refugee communities, who have also been affected by high COVID-19 case numbers and health impacts.
As we cautiously head down a welcome path to opening up, we must focus on what our communities will need to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
While some parts of the Victorian community will recover quickly, ECCV’s research and community consultations indicate that the people who have been most impacted will need a longer time, and more dedicated support to recover and thrive.
A new ECCV report provides a snapshot of the experiences and multiple hardships faced by people from migrant and refugee communities during the previous waves of the pandemic, including financial hardship, housing insecurity, mental health struggles, social isolation, and disproportionate job losses due to high proportion of people in casual and insecure work.
Our Voices, Our Struggles, Our Views: Will You Choose to Hear Us? – COVID-19 Recovery and migrant and refugee communities, also makes recommendations for what is needed in the coming years to address the systemic gaps and inequalities exposed during COVID-19.
The Victorian Government recognised many of these issues and has been proactively engaging with ethnic communities and funding short-term programs in response to COVID-19, including working with grassroots, community-led organisations to provide crisis support and increase participation in the vaccination program.
While we have seen some good examples of short-term interventions and culturally responsive programs that have helped meet immediate needs, we need to build on this work with a coordinated, longer-term plan to give everyone the support they need to recover.
With high case numbers and some way to go to reach vaccination targets, we will be living with uncertainty, disruption, and pressure on our health system for some time. Our communities and those most vulnerable will continue to need support to navigate the next phase of living safely with COVID-19.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
New ECCV report on COVID-19 recovery
COVID-19 has exposed health inequalities and multiple hardships faced by migrant and refugee communities. Our new report documents these experiences, and highlights the need for a plan to address the longer-term impacts and challenges for Victoria's diverse communities. The report outlines community recommendations for what is needed for to help recovery over the next two years.
Save the date: Walter Lippmann Oration 2022 | Thursday 17 February 2022 | from 6.30pm
The Hon Tony Pagone QC, who has made a significant contribution to public life throughout his distinguished legal career, will be delivering the Oration. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we look forward to hosting an in-person event at the Wheeler Centre, sponsored by Language Loop.
FECCA 2022 Conference | 10-11 March 2022 | now open early bird registrations
Early bird registrations are open for FECCA 2022: Advancing Multicultural Australia conference, which ECCV is co-hosting in Melbourne. The biennial conference is Australia's premier conference on diversity, migration and multiculturalism. The line-up includes activist and journalist Behrouz Boochani, chair of Harmony Alliance Nyadol Nyuon, and host of SBS's Insight, Kumi Taguchi.
New Speak My Language podcasts
The first Speak My Language podcasts are now available, featuring people sharing stories and practical advice about living well with disability in a range of community languages. The Somali episodes were produced by ECCV Multicultural Outreach Project Worker, Abdikadir Osoble, who is part of the Victorian team creating podcasts for the series, which is being produced in up to 25 languages.
Submission to the Disability Act Review
ECCV has contributed to the Victorian Government’s review of the Disability Act 2006. Building on previous work to promote the needs and rights of people with disability from CALD backgrounds, our submission highlights that the Disability Act must seek to improve disability inclusion and access to services so that people with disability do not fall through the gaps.
Leadership Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer | applications close 3 November 2021
ECCV is seeking an experienced and inspirational CEO to build on our legacy and history in multicultural affairs. Over-seeing all aspects of the organisation, the CEO will ensure ECCV continues to be a leading voice shaping multicultural policy across Victoria and supporting members, community, business and government to build an inclusive and diverse society.
Access to disability advocacy research project
Funded by the Office for Disability, ECCV is conducting a research project aimed at understanding the experiences of people with disability from CALD communities accessing support services during the pandemic. We are looking for people to participate in consultations as part of this project.
- For more information or to register your interest, email ECCV Policy & Practice Advisor Riccardo Armillei.
COVID-19 Multicultural Information sessions | 17 November 2021
Our COVID-19 Multicultural Outreach Project team has held 21 Information sessions to date, working with health experts to support community groups. The team in partnership with Women's Health West will present next session with Northern Health.
ECCV seniors capacity building workshops
We are holding a range of capacity building workshops to empower seniors and help boost their independence. The workshops aim to help older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to age well and live healthier, happier lives. They cover topics such as seniors rights, how to build digital literacy and how to improve employability.
Latest edition of Golden Years is hot off the press
The Spring edition of Golden Years, our quarterly eMagazine on positive ageing for CALD communities, is out now! Read about the Australian Human Rights Commission report on ageism, how to support people from diverse backgrounds in accessing aged care services, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in multicultural communities, and the latest news, events, and resources for multicultural aged care.
Access & Support Service Practice Guide
Funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments, the Victorian Access & Support program assists older people, people with disability and carers facing barriers to accessing culturally safe services to remain living independently in their homes and communities. ECCV's Practice Guide for A&S support workers provides information on the A&S service and its role in a client’s journey when navigating aged care, disability and other support systems in Victoria.
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
Email: eccv@eccv.org.au
Website: https://eccv.org.au