People rely on hopes and wishes to keep motivated. As I come to the completion of a year as Chair, I have been pondering a wish list for the migrant communities in a country in pursuit of furthering “social inclusion”.
Create more role models for our young people
I invite you to add to this list.
The list:
Social Inclusion through all Australians taking pride in our culturally diverse nation
The list:
Social Inclusion through all Australians taking pride in our culturally diverse nation
This can be achieved by: (a) education via school and media, leading to an unbiased awareness of diverse cultures and faiths; (b) developing true understanding and acceptance of other cultures and faiths will be the next step; (c) fostering participation in and enjoyment of diverse cultures for all in Australia.
The old must look after the young, so that the young will then look after the old
Young people must be encouraged to become more active in community. They need to be shown the way. We must find the right incentive, in an incentive driven world. Not enough people are willing to give their time to community. Why is it so? Community leaders need to cultivate young to step up to the plate, and take responsibility. We desperately need leaders of the future, especially from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Create more role models for our young people
To enable more opportunities for people from culturally diverse backgrounds in representative roles. Create more role models for our young people, like our NSW Premier, The Hon. Morris Iemma, who is from Italian background, and Governor Marie Bashir A.C., who is of Lebanese background.
Over 25% of the population are from diverse cultural backgrounds. But why is it that the same proportions are not represented on the board of major companies, as judges, in state and federal government, or as ambassadors for Australia.
I encourage you all to add to this list. Put your comments on our blog. Contact the ECC with your ideas. Better still, come along and actively participate.
I encourage you all to add to this list. Put your comments on our blog. Contact the ECC with your ideas. Better still, come along and actively participate.
Progressing from one Chair to the next, together in a council of leaders from richly diverse backgrounds, let’s keep working collectively to keep our hopes and wishes alive for the migrant communities.
Migrant communities brighten the tapestry of our nation. Diversity makes us global.
Migrant communities brighten the tapestry of our nation. Diversity makes us global.
Ted Quan
ECC Chair
ECC Chair
