Today AlburyCity, Culturally and Lingusitically Diverse (CALD) community leaders and service providers came together to officially launch the city’s first Multicultural Plan.
Attendees were treated to a feast with food from the local Bhutanese, Congolese and Ukrainian communities, as well as cultural dances and songs by the Congolese, Filipino and Indian communities.
The event was an opportunity for the community to celebrate what it means to be part of a diverse multicultural city such as Albury, and how we can ensure that everyone has the freedom to express their cultural, linguistic and religious traditions without fear or discrimination, and has access to equal opportunities.
The key priorities in the plan include:
Leadership: Facilitating opportunities for CALD communities to advocate for themselves, and bringing CALD community leaders and service providers together.
Communication and Language: Thinking of alternative ways to communicate and engage to ensure information is received and understood, including providing information in language where appropriate, and facilitating CALD community forums.
Information: Ensuring information on services, community networks and hubs is easily accessible by identifying and removing any barriers.
Employment and Volunteering: Leading the conversation on diversity and inclusion with local employers, including increasing employment opportunities at Council.
Diversity: Ensuring there are opportunities available to celebrate cultural diversity, and offering opportunities for residents to exchange and experience different cultures, such as events and grants programs.
New Refugees and Migrants: Being proactive in supporting the integration of newcomers including participating in programs such as NSW Growing Regions Of Welcome.
Youth: Supporting diversity in youth leadership, sporting activities promoting integration, or multicultural youth programs.
Council has also allocated $50,000 to enable the implementation of the proposed review and translation of important Council documents in-language, and the development and roll-out of a local anti-racism campaign.
For more information, the Multicultural Plan can be viewed on the AlburyCity website
