The theme for Refugee Week is “Restoring Hope” with the Refugee Council of Australia reminding us that while many refugees are fleeing seemingly hopeless situations in their homelands, their arrival in countries such as ours gives them renewed positivity and…

Australian of the Year Adam Goodes features in a new video clip urging Australians to take a stand against racism and speak out when they hear racist comments. The AFL legend features in a Community Service Announcement (CSA) developed by…

New migrants to Australia are actively engaged in forging a new life in their adopted country and show high levels of optimism, satisfaction and resilience, according to a new study of migrant attitudes. The study’s findings also paint a picture…

Despite strong evidence that reflecting cultural diversity is a sure fire formula for success, Hollywood’s film and television industry is dominated by white males, a new study has found. The ‘2014 Hollywood Diversity Report’ says there is a disconnection between…

A new exhibition at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum explores how our cultural heritage, languages, beliefs, and family connections influence our self-perceptions and our perceptions of other people. The exhibition, titled ‘Identity: yours, mine, ours’, is about identity – who we are…

DIANE Fahey stood with a candle burning for Tamil asylum seeker Leo Seemanpillai and reflected on the impact of his death. “It gets you in a very deep place,” Ms Fahey said. Read more: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/geelong-lights-up-night-for-tamil-asylum-seeker-leo-seemanpillai/story-fnjuhovy-1226952921190

A compelling new photographic exhibition has captured the essence of Melbourne’s extraordinary Hazara community. The Hazaras have come to Australia to escape what many are calling a genocide in their homeland; and in the wake of fear and persecution they…

Increasing cultural diversity among workers in the residential aged care sector presents unique benefits and opportunities but also brings management challenges, according to a leading expert. Migrant workers now make up around 36 per cent of the residential aged care…

In Canberra the Australian Senate Inquiry into the Manus Island riots has heard disturbing evidence about conditions in the Australian government’s detention centre leading up to the events in which asylum seeker Reza Berati was killed. Read more: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/manus-inquiry-hears-damning-testimony-of-detention-centre-conditions/1325564

The Australian Council of Social Service is concerned that the Abbott government is seeking to gag the welfare sector after comments from Immigration Minister Scott Morrison that government funding should not be used to support advocacy groups. Read more: http://www.beaudeserttimes.com.au/story/2343801/community-organisation-fearful-of-abbott-government-gag/?cs=8

Welfare group ACOSS has said it is concerned that the Abbott Government is attempting to block community organisations from the political arena. ACOSS has expressed alarm at Immigration Minister Scott Morrison’s recent comments that taxpayers should not fund advocacy groups,…

Neighbourhood renewal programs can produce significant and wide benefits to communities, according to new research which looked at communities with high culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. The study, commissioned by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, found that…