Migrant Resource Centre North West Region

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Migrant Resource Centre North West Region

• The Migrant Resource Centre North West Region,
  Inc. (MRCNW) is an organization established to
  support the culturally and linguistically diverse
  communities in the North and West of Melbourne.

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United Somali Womens Organisation in Victoria

• Is a not for profit organisation which promotes
  the wellbeing of Somali women
• Currently funded to run a project called Racism
  Affects Womens Health which aims to reduce
  racism and promote harmony

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MRC North West Region

• It is a community-based non-profit organization
  managed by a Voluntary Committee of community
  representatives from a variety of backgrounds
• Funding sources DIMIA, DHS and other funding
  bodies for specific projects

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MRC programmes

• Four major programme areas
• Settlement immigration services
• Community Projects Settlement Planning
• Aged Disability
• Support to ethno-specific group

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Multiculturalism

• Is the recognition in public policy that a
  society is composed of varied elements,
  especially those based on language, nationality
  or religion

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Multiculturalism

• Cultural Identity- the right of all Australians
  to express and share their individual cultural
  heritage
• Social justice- the right of all Australians to
  equality of treatment and opportunity, and the
  removal of barriers
• Economic Efficiency- the need to maintain,
  develop and utilise the skills and talents of all
  Australians, regardless of background

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Access Equity

• ACCESS Implies all who are entitled to a public
  service should face no barriers that make their
  situation inequitable to others so entitled.
• EQUITY Implies that all who are entitled to
  government provision should be equally likely to
  receive it

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Who Lives in Brimbank?

• Total population 162,931
• 40.1 residents of Non-English speaking
  backgrounds
• 43.1 overseas born
• Between 1996 2001 overseas born increased by
  4,649
• Broad mix of residents from over 100 countries

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Top 10 Countries of Birth
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New Arrivals to Brimbank

• Over last 5 years approximately 5,704 new
  migrants settled in Brimbank
• Majority were family stream arrivals (51)
• Significant numbers of Humanitarian entrants
  (29)
• Smaller numbers of skill stream entrants (20)

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New Arrivals to Brimbank
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Migrants

• Choose to leave their country of origin
• Choose where they wish to migrate
• They are normally free to return home
• People migrate in order to find work improve
  economic social and physical living conditions
  to improve educational opportunities for their
  children
• Plan and often have time to make preparations
  before moving

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Refugees

• Someone who has a well founded fear of being
  persecuted for reasons of race, religion,
  nationality, political opinion or membership of a
  particular social group
• Have fled their country of origin and is unable
  or unwilling to return to that country

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Asylum Seekers

• Flee their own country and seek sanctuary in a
  second state, where they apply for asylum - the
  right to be recognised as a refugee
• An asylum seeker whose application for asylum is
  accepted is then recognised as a refugee

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Culture

• Is the social system in which groups perform
  their basic activities
• Relates to aspects of a individual and group life
• Is subject to personal interpretation
• Arises out of ethnicity rather than nationality

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Definitions

• Bias
• Stereotyping
• Prejudice
• Racial prejudice
• Racial Discrimination

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The Hijab or Veil

• According to the religion women must cover
  themselves with a loose fitting and modest
  clothes
• Many different types of hijab but all with the
  same meaning
• It identifies that they are followers of the
  religion
• All types are acceptable if they fit the criteria

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Cross-cultural communication

• Do not assume English proficiency
• Do not make assumptions about client levels of
  understanding
• Respect beliefs and attitudes
• Speak clearly and slowly
• Note the difference in the meaning of words
• Exercise sensitivity when using an interpreter

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MRC Contact

• Migrant Resource Centre North West Region
• 45 Main Road West
• St Albans, 3021
• Ph 9367 6044
• Fax [phone]
• Website www.mrcnorthwest.org.au