Monday, 16 March 2009
Project aims to offer insight into experiences of African Australians
National Race Discrimination Commissioner Tom Calma, and immediate past Chair of the Federation of African Communities Council, Abeselom Nega, have launched a discussion paper today aimed at identifying the major issues faced by African Australians.
The discussion paper, African Australians: a report on human rights and social inclusion issues, will kick start a process which aims to build a national picture of the experiences of African Australians in the areas of employment and training, education, health, housing and justice.
“The aim of the discussion paper is to explore issues for members of African communities in Australia, and following this, to suggest solutions which might help to improve policy and service delivery,” Commissioner Calma said.
“It is a challenging project as we currently have no national picture of what African Australians contend with on a daily basis. We will be running national consultations and calling for submissions on how to improve opportunities for African Australians to actively participate in decision-making about policies and programs that affect them,” he said.
Mr Nega said it was important that the project captured the range of issues affecting African Australians.
“African Australians represent a diverse group with a multitude of ethnic, cultural, religious and racial experiences,” Mr Nega said. “It is important that we also hear about their lived experiences before arriving in Australia, as well as their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to Australia society. And of course, the project will identify any common and ongoing experiences of racism and exclusion.”
Mr Calma said African Australians often had to overcome a range of barriers in relation to employment and training for example, perceptions of visible difference and lack of local work experience.
The project has been co-funded by project partners including: the Australian Human Rights Commission (through National Action Plan funding); Australian Multicultural Education Services (AMES) in Victoria; Australian Red Cross; Diversity Health Institute; and the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
It is expected the project will yield the first-ever national picture of important human rights issues for African Australians.
The discussion paper was launched during the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s ‘Everyday People Everyday Rights' Conference at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue, Melbourne. The discussion paper, including some translated information about the project, can be found online at www.humanrights.gov.au/africanaus
Please note Commissioner Calma is available for interview prior to the launch between 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm on Monday, 16 March.
Media contact: Louise McDermott 0419 258 597
