Events And Opportunities

SCoA Member, Communicare is looking for a full time Coordinator A Global Workforce for West Perth. Grants of up to $50,000 are now open for South Australian community organisations. The grants are for projects that improve community participation, wellbeing and quality of life for South Australians, particularly those experiencing disadvantage. Around $3 million in grants will be provided by Grants SA throughout 2018-19. Community organisations only have to apply once to be considered for funding across all available grants programs, including volunteer and multicultural grants. For the opening and closing dates of all Grants SA grants rounds and the funding guidelines, visitwww.dhs.sa.gov.au/grantsSA

The 2018 Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) National Conference will be held in Sydney from 29 - 30 October. ACOSS National Conference has been a key event for civil society in Australia for over six decades. Read more about this event here, as well as the list of speakers. Registration is now open.

A discussion with Dr Russell Rook, a leading international expert, who will share his experience in developing the UK's community-led model for refugee sponsorship is held in the ANU on 26 July 2018 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Barton Theatre, JG Crawford Building, Lennox Crossing, Canberra, ACT 2601. For more information and to register, click here.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies is the Australian Government’s key research body in the area of family wellbeing. Every two years, AIFS holds a significant national conference with leading thinkers, decision-makers and researchers across a range of sectors and disciplines who are dedicated to improving the lives of families. SCoA is pleased to be presenting at the AIFS Conference on Wednesday 25 July 2018, presenting a "Service Design Snapshot" detailing how the National Settlement Services Outcomes Standards support the strengthening of refugee and migrant families in Australia. Read more about our presentation here. We are also delighted to note that a Breakout Session on 25 July, sponsored by SCoA member Settlement Services International, will feature presentations by four SCoA members on cultural diversity and "Optimising outcomes for migrant and refugee families". We look forward to seeing presentations by SSI, Access Community Services, Spectrum MRC and MiCare. Finally, we are excited for Friday morning's session on "Young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Australia: facilitating their active citizenship", facilitated by SCoA member MYAN Australia. It isn't too late to join us at this important conference and we hope to catch up with you in Melbourne this July! Find out more, and register, here.

Research Study: Psychological Well-Being of Australians from Refugee Background Supervised by Associate Professor Navjot Bhullar Are you from a refugee background? Over 18 years of age? Are you proficient in English? If you answered yes to these questions, you are invited to take part in this research study. Take part in this important study that will explore the predictors of psychological well-being of Australians from refugee background. This research study is an anonymous on-line questionnaire that will take between 25-30 minutes to complete. You may withdraw your participation at any time without consequence or explanation. However, once you begin the survey your data cannot be withdrawn. Please click on the link below if you would like to participate in the research study: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOzHLVXBl4oKQiF For more information contact : Dieudonne Ininahazwe, Email:  dininaha@myune.edu.au This study has been approved by the University of New England Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval clause HE18-129, Valid to 20 June, 2019).

Associate Professor Patti Tamara Lenard from the University of Ottawa presents the next JSI Seminar. The topic is "The Human Right to Citizenship." The seminar will be on 2 August 2018 from 6 to 8 pm at the Common Room, Level 4, New Law Building (F10), Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, University of Sydney. For more information, click here.

The Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program aims to help highly skilled and professional newcomers (migrants and refugees) improve their employment potential by connecting them with mentors from their industry or occupation. The program runs over three months, with mentors and mentees connecting for approximately 1.5 hours each week. Connections can be through:

• face-to-face meetings
• online e.g. email, chat applications, Skype, etc
• phone conversations
• job shadowing
• networking at events.

The Mentoring Program infographic provides an overview of the process. The pilot Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program runs from August to November 2018. The first round of mentoring will commence in February 2019. Register now to help a newcomer reconnect with their career this year! BECOME A MENTOR

You are invited to the LAUNCH of‘Damascus - Thinking of You’ an exhibition of paintings and sketches by Dania and Hala Naji.

This is the first exhibition for Dania and Hala Naji, two young women who arrived from Syria two years ago. 

Since arriving they have been catching up with their studies and pursuing their passion for drawing and painting.

 

Exhibition Launch

Saturday  4th August @ 12 Noon

 AMRC Multicultural Centre, 23 Coglin St, Adelaide, (Nr Central market)

 RSVP keith@amrc.org.au

The exhibition will be launched by  renowned community cultural diversity artist Andrew Hill, adjunct Professor SA School of Art, Architecture and Design UniSA.

Zuhir Naji (father of Dania and Hala) a renowned performer of Arabic music and song will present some vibrant music at the launch which will be accompanied by home-style Arabic food and beverages.

‘Damascus - Thinking of you’ is a SALA  South Australia Living Artists Festival event and is supported by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre.

The ‘ Damascus - Thinking of you’ exhibition will be open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm throughout August.

Enquiries to AMRC Arts Tel 8217 9547 Email keith@amrc.org.au

The Victorian Refugee Health Network in partnership with North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network and South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network are hosting a one day forum  on Saturday 4 August from 8:30am to 5:00 pm at Woodward Conference Centre, 10th Floor, 185 Pelham Street, University of Melbourne, Parkville Vic 3052 of professional learning for general practice staff and mental health practitioners. The forum’s aim is to support practitioners to respond to the mental health needs of people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum.

For more information on the Forum Program click here, or register here.

The Australian Society of Association Executives is having its second networking Lunch event for 2018 on "The Challenge of Modern Governance" on Tuesday 7 August 2018 12 t0 2pm at Luna Park Sydney. This month's guest speaker is Simon Neaverson, GovernRight Founder and AICD senior facilitator. For more information and to register, click here.

SCoA Member, Multicultural Development Australia Ltd (MDA Ltd) is organising Regions of Welcome – Regional Settlement Conference 2018 on 13 – 14 August at Toowoomba Civic Precinct. For more information, click here. Mayor of Toowoomba in this video inviting delegates from across Australia to attend the first conference with this them to be held in Australia. https://youtu.be/xNtXSMoPHXI

Families and Communities Program - Financial Wellbeing and Capability grants - open for application The Australian Government is inviting organisations to apply in an open selection process to deliver services under the Families and Communities Program - Financial Wellbeing and Capability. This will include activities across Australia from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2023. The Families and Communities Program aims to:

• strengthen relationships
• improve the wellbeing of children and young people
• reduce the cost of family breakdown
• strengthen family and community functioning, and
• facilitate the settlement of migrants and humanitarian entrants in the community.
• Applications close at 2:00 pm AEST on 22 August 2018 For further information about eligibility and how to apply, go to the Funding Round Application page. Information about applying for this funding round can also be found on GrantConnect.

European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC) is glad to announce the 13^th edition of the Summer School in Cinema Human Rights and Advocacy, a training initiative developed by EIUC and CHRA dedicated to graduates, professionals of the human rights, media, NGO and advocacy sector. Anyone who uses or is interested in using audio-visual media as a tool for promoting social change is encouraged to apply to the Summer School. Registration Deadline: 31 July 2018 Click here for more information, together with a flyer.

Would you like to share your settlement and integration experience in Sydney and contribute to improving support for refugees and migrants? PARTICIPANTS: We are looking for individuals from the Syrian and Iraqi refugee communities in Sydney who arrived during the past five years. RESEARCH PROJECT: Our research aims to reflect on the settlement experience of newly-arrived Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Sydney. In doing so, we would like to inform relevant stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental service providers about the opportunities, challenges and difficulties of settlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. BENEFITS: Refugees’ and migrants’ journeys are full of challenges for both the newly arrived, the communities where they settle, and those providing settlement support. This project is an excellent opportunity to share your settlement experience and make your voice heard. Your participation in the project will help the research team to identify and understand how you can be better supported in this part of your journey. The outcomes of this research could be used to advocate for filling the gaps in service delivery to refugees, including Syrian and Iraqi refugees. The research outcomes could also contribute to the improvement of settlement, employment and education services for all refugees in Sydney. QUESTIONS: You will be asked to share your settlement and integration experience, including your experience of accessing services in the areas of pre-departure experience, immediate settlement, long-term integration, employment support and education opportunities. If you choose to participate you will not be identified in any way from what you tell us. DURATION: Your interview will take approximately 60 minutes. Interviews will be conducted at the Edmund Rice Centre, a public library, or on the premises of one of four schools: Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, Mary Immaculate Primary School, St Gertrude's Catholic Primary School, and All Saints Primary Liverpool. RESEARCH TEAM? The research will be conducted by the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education (ERC) under the project leadership of Mr Farhad Arian, Senior Research Officer at ERC. ERC is a nongovernment research and advocacy organisation working with those made poor, to promote liberation from poverty and injustice and to work for change in order to enable a world where the fullness of life is realised. The ERC’s vision is of a just world where right relationships ensure that human rights are protected and promoted and social and environmental justice is a reality. ERC works to promote, protect and defend human rights, social justice and eco-justice through research, community education, advocacy and partnerships. The members of the ERC team of researchers all hold post-graduate qualifications in related fields of study (international relations, international development) and/or have experience working with refugees in Australia, and with people affected by conflict in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The team members are: Mr Farhad Arian, Chief Investigator and Project Manager; Dr Shashi Sharma; Dr Donna Vaughan; Dr Mary Venner; and Ms Monica Vaughan. CONTACT: If you would like to participate in this research, please contact Mr Farhad Arian Research Office and Project Manager Phone: 02 8762 4207 or 02 8762 4200 Email: FArian@edmundrice.org

Creativity Australia and the With One Voice Program had announced 5 New Choirs awarded up to $10,000. Round 7 of the With One Voice Community Choir Social Franchise Start-up fund is open until 31 August for more people to give grants of up to $10,000. For more information, click here.

The Scanlon Foundation’s annual community grants round for 2018 will fund projects that either support the transition of migrants into employment or support practical English literacy. Projects should consider the experience of migrants and of receiving communities and aim to nurture positive outcomes. All submissions are expected to also empower new arrival communities and develop cross cultural connections. This year’s community grants will provide funding up to a maximum of $25,000. For more information or to apply now, click here.

Registrations Open!!

The NSW Local Government Multicultural Network and Penrith City Council are pleased to announce the 2018 Mental Health and Wellbeing in CALD Communities symposium is open for registrations.

The key focus of this year’s conference is breaking down the barriers CALD communities face accessing equitable and culturally aware mental health and wellbeing support.

The symposium will bring multicultural workers together to share their insights, discuss best practice, and increase their understanding of cultural nuances around mental health. We invite Local Government multicultural workers, government and non-government health services, funding bodies, community organisations, and community leaders and advocates throughout NSW to attend.

The symposium will include speakers, panel discussions and workshops, covering a range of key issues and ideas unpacking mental health and wellbeing. By bringing together representatives of front line organisations and key government departments, we can generate innovative ideas and strategies to increase services’ capacity to engage with CALD communities in a culturally sensitive way around mental health and wellbeing.

The symposium will kick off with a networking dinner at the Penrith Regional Gallery & Lewers Bequest on Tuesday 23 October from 5pm to 7pm, with the symposium program to be held at the Civic Centre in Penrith on Wednesday 24 October 2018.

To register, visit  this link . The cost is $50 per person. Registrations close mid-September.

For further information about the symposium please contact Aniela Pepe onaniela.pepe@penrith.city or 0409 493 340

To organise payment please contact Celia Bishop on celia.bishop@penrith.city

The Human Rights Awards recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of individuals, organisations and businesses to the field of human rights each year. The Australian Human Rights Commission are calling for nominations for people, organisations, government agencies and businesses that have made significant contributions to human rights in Australia. While some nominees might be well-known, most are just ordinary people making a difference to human rights outcomes in their work or community. The best nominees are often the people who wouldn’t dream of putting themselves forward, which is why we encourage you to do it for them! Nominations can be submitted under nine categories: the Human Rights Medal, the Young People’s Human Rights Medal, Law Award, Business Award, ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ Award, Government Award, Community Organisation Award, Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award and the Media Award. For any questions about the Awards, please contact at hrawards@humanrights.gov.au or phone (02) 9284 9779, or click here.

Consider yourself one of our greatest Australians for having previously nominated someone for an Australian of the Year Award. This is the essential first step in helping us recognise the wonderful work and stories of inspirational Australians. The reaction from many Australians upon learning that they’ve been nominated for an Australian of the Year is of often shock, disbelief and honour. While not actively seeking out recognition for their often innovative, selfless and inspiring work, being nominated for an Award is an acknowledgement that their contribution has not gone unnoticed. Now is your chance to do it again as nominations for the 2019 Awards are OPEN! Nominating is super easy – just head to australianoftheyear.org.au, tell us who they are, what they’ve achieved and why you’d like to see them recognised. One nomination is all takes – will it be you who uncovers our next Australian of the Year?

The Australian Government has established the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund to provide grants to eligible regional publishers, small publishers and content providers for initiatives that support the continuation, development, growth and innovation of Australian civic and public interest journalism. Delivered through a competitive selection process, up to $16 million in grants is available per year over the next three financial years. The grants will help eligible publishers and content providers to compete in the evolving media environment.