Japan is proposing an unprecedented expansion to its restrictive immigration program as it becomes more desperate for workers to support an economically vital construction boom. While it has long welcomed temporary visitors such as business travellers and tourists from overseas,…

AMES volunteers were treated to the first performance of OPEN YOUR HEARTS – songs and stories of refugees at the Multicultural Hub on Monday June 16. AMES students and a community guide told the stories of their journeys and challenges…

THE City of Greater Dandenong has won an award for a campaign to stand up against racism: Racism. Get Up. Speak Out. The project, supported by Dandenong Leader, used a variety of mediums, including film and community workshops to communicate how…

The High Court has struck down a law which allowed the Government to cap the number of protection visas it issues for refugees in Australia. The ruling comes after two separate applications to the court from asylum seekers who were…

A new research project will look into how Australia can better utilise the talents and qualifications of spouses of the 190,000 skilled migrants who come here each year. The research has been commissioned in a bid to help solve the…

Australia has helped resettle almost 14,500 refugee women and their families Australia’s contributions to resettling almost 14,500 refugee women and their families over 25 years of the ‘woman at risk programme is being celebrated as part of Refugee Week 2014.…

HUNDREDS of mourners gathered in Geelong to farewell Tamil asylum seeker Leo Seemanpillai yesterday at a funeral making a tragic pointer to Refugee Week. Eulogists remembered generosity of spirit and a bright smile as they paid tribute and illustrated his…

An audience of almost 500 appreciative music lovers enjoyed an encore performance this week by the AMES Voices Without Borders asylum seeker choir. Led by choirmaster and founder of the Choir of Hard Knocks Dr Jonathon Welch (AM), the 40-strong…

When Afghan bookbinder and printer Amini published a version of the Qur’an in his native language it triggered a six year saga that has seen him on the run from the Taliban and dodging death sentences imposed by conservative Islamic…

The issue of asylum seekers remains a hot topic in Australia. In all the emotion of the debate, we can forget that this is about people’s lives. Whatever our opinions are on the best way to deal with people coming…

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…

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…