The City of Greater Bendigo has developed a draft Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 and is seeking feedback from the community until January 28, 2022.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Community Partnerships Andie West said the draft Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan (CDIP) 2021 – 2025 follows a whole of Council, collaborative partnership approach and builds on the work and success of the City’s first CDIP delivered over 2016-2019.
“The draft plan was developed following an extensive evaluation and community engagement process involving residents from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, agency partners and City services,” Ms West said.
“The process included preparing a Report Card to highlight the achievements of the previous CDIP, evaluation report findings, and consultation through interviews, surveys, focus groups, staff forums and a stakeholder workshop.
“The draft plan focuses on seven key areas, Leadership, Social and Cultural Inclusion, Economic Development, Learning and Skills Development, Civic Participation, Spaces and Places and Health and Wellbeing and provides a framework for the City to further advance cultural diversity and inclusion, support our multicultural communities and progress the City’s status as an accredited Welcoming City with the Welcoming Australia Network.
“It’s important for our multicultural community to feel welcomed, safe, connected and like they belong in the Greater Bendigo community and the draft plan aims to advance the City’s commitments to social justice, human rights and responsibilities and community participation in decision making by aligning with the vision and goals of the City’s other strategic plans.
“We want Greater Bendigo to continue to be a welcoming, inclusive and diverse community where people of all cultural backgrounds belong and participate equally in social, political, and economic life.”
The draft plan is available to view and provide feedback on the City’s Let’s Talk website https://letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au/cultural-diversity-and-inclusion-plan-2021-2025
until January 28, 2022.
All feedback and submissions will be considered and incorporated into the final plan which will go to Council for endorsement in March 2022.
