The City of Greater Bendigo is holding a free Community Human Rights Forum on the theme: Young People, Leadership and Human Rights from 5pm to 8pm on Friday March 15 at the Bendigo Town Hall. The forum will also feature the launch of the 2019 ZINDA Festival which is being held during Cultural Diversity Week.
The Forum’s keynote speaker is community rights lawyer and gender equity and human rights advocate Fadak Alfayadah. Fadak came to Australia as a refugee from Iraq and is the head of #MeetFadak, a campaign to change the narrative around people seeking asylum in Australia.
City of Greater Bendigo Community Partnerships Manager Steven Abbott said the Community Human Rights Forum will provide an opportunity for the local community to come together to discuss the importance of multiculturalism and human rights for a more liveable and inclusive city.
“It will provide a platform to promote young peoples’ voices regarding human rights and community leadership,” Mr Abbott said.
Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services Executive Officer Kate McInnes said they are very pleased to be partnering with the City of Greater Bendigo to deliver the second Community Human Rights Forum.
“We are particularly excited that it is focusing on youth, as we have so many fantastic young people from diverse backgrounds in Greater Bendigo. I’m looking forward to hearing their perspectives and input into this important topic,” Ms McInnes said.
City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council Mayor-elect and MC of the forum Khayshie Tilak-Ramesh said hearing the voices of young people on the big issues is imperative to creating an inclusive and progressive community.
“Events like this are vital to Greater Bendigo’s future,” Ms Tilak Ramesh said.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke will also launch the 2019 Progress Report on the City’s Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Plan at the forum.
While the event is free to attend, registrations are essential and can be made at https://zinda.org.au/product/really-human-rights-forum/ by Wednesday March 13, 2019.
