NAVIGATION

ECCV | ISSUING | eBulletin #21 | 24 February 2022

[Edited extract from public address]

As we prepare for a return to the office and cautiously welcome the easing of restrictions, there is a renewed sense of optimism about the year ahead.

The opening of Australia’s international borders after almost two years will lead to many emotional family reunions. It will also allow our immigration program to get back on track and help address staff shortages in key sectors such as aged care.

This is a big year for elections, with the Federal election due to be held by May and the Victorian election in November. COVID-19 recovery and ongoing responses to the pandemic will be at the forefront of election issues. Recent ABS statistics confirmed that migrant and refugee communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, with a death rate three times higher than for people born in Australia.

There was robust discussion about the key issues facing our multicultural communities at a special Member Forum held this week to discuss policy priorities for our upcoming State Election Platform. It was a great opportunity to receive feedback and insights from our members, and we look forward to further consultations with the sector, including the Multicultural CEO Network.

Last week, ECCV appeared before the Victorian Parliament’s public hearing for the Inquiry into support for older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds to discuss our submission. We took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of adequately resourcing the multicultural sector to support the health, wellbeing and inclusion of our seniors.

We also welcome the Victorian Parliament’s new inquiry into the rise of far-right extremism and the risk it poses to multicultural communities. Extremism has been a disturbing element that has emerged during anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination rallies in Melbourne.

After a long period of online meetings, we look forward to catching up with members in person at our Annual General Meeting on March 24, where we will elect a new Board to steer ECCV for the next two years.

Eddie Micallef, Chairperson

Member Forum: Election Platform 2022

ECCV held a special Member Forum on 22 February to discuss policy and advocacy priorities in the lead-up to this year's Victorian state election. Thank you to our members who contributed their thoughts and ideas on the issues that matter to their communities, ranging from anti-racism strategies to COVID-19 recovery. These insights will help inform ECCV's forthcoming State Election Platform.

Parliamentary inquiry into support for seniors

ECCV Chairperson Eddie Micallef and CEO Emiliano Zucchi appeared at a public hearing for the parliamentary inquiry into support for older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds on 18 February. Their presentation drew on the recommendations in our submission to the inquiry and emphasised the importance of resourcing the multicultural sectorso it can continue to support diverse seniors.

ECCV Board nominations close at 5pm Thursday 24 February 2022

ECCV Board members serve for two years and are responsible for overseeing the governance of ECCV. Elections will take place at the Annual General Meeting at 6pm Thursday 24 March 2022 at the Maltese Community Council of Victoria in Parkville. Find out more about the AGM here.

Multicultural emergency management

The Multicultural Emergency Management Partnership (MEMP) was established by ECCV and VCOSS in 2021 to strengthen relationships between multicultural communities and emergency services. Co-chaired by South Sudanese community leader, Thuch Ajak, and Emergency Management Victoria’s Steve Cameron, the MEMP this month presented to the Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network, and took part in a community focus group for Fire Rescue Victoria.

Intercultural Young Advocacy Leaders (IYAL)

Two members of ECCV's Intercultural Young Advocacy Leaders (IYAL) program presented at VicHealth's Future Healthy partner meeting this month, addressing the importance of youth-led approaches and how to empower youth to take leadership. IYAL members also came together for a picnic at Flagstaff Gardens alongside our Advocacy Lead Denisse Sandoval, and ECCV board member and former IYAL participant, Mohammed Yassin.

Multicultural COVID-19 outreach

ECCV is continuing our Multicultural COVID-19 Outreach Program in 2022 with a focus on supporting the parents, grandparents and carers to access COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11. Our bilingual outreach team will work alongside health experts to deliver information sessions to Melbourne's migrant and refugee communities. 

All One Together: end racism in the workplace

ECCV is seeking Ambassador organisations to join our anti-racism project, All One Together. As an Ambassador, your organisation will take a pledge to enact meaningful steps to end racism in your workplace. Ambassadors get access to a variety of diversity and inclusion assessments, capacity building workshops, and more. 

$250 Power Saving Bonus program extended

ECCV is continuing to help people from culturally diverse communities to access the Victorian Government's $250 Power Saving Bonus program, which has been extended to 30 June. More than 350,000 Victorians have accessed the Bonus so far, providing more than $87.5 million for eligible households doing it tough. 

Multicultural seniors sharing their COVID stories

Migrant communities are three times more likely to die from COVID-19 according to new ABS data. Our COVID-19 in-language videos, aimed at unvaccinated seniors, feature inspiring community members talking about why they got vaccinated and how to stay COVIDsafe. We encourage you to share the first six videos (available in Arabic, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi and Turkish) with your networks.

Scholarship opportunities at FECCA conference

First Nations People, people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, new and emerging community members, unwaged people and people with disability are strongly encouraged to attend the FECCA conference. If you have geographical or financial limitations and need assistance with the costs of registration, travel or accommodation, you may be eligible for a scholarship. 

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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555