Unity in Diversity – creating a culture for multiculturalism –

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW invites you to participate in a collective forum to create an agenda for constructive change, within the ECC, and within the community.

Over the past few years multiculturalism has become a debate rather than a recognised way of Australian life. This challenge needs to be addressed proactively. We as the peak multicultural body recognise that we need to evolve to respond to your needs as our membership.

As we move to reinvigorate ECC NSW, we would like to see all of our member organisations work together to achieve our collective goals. No one organisation can advocate for change on their own. But as a collective unified voice, we can instill change on a community, policy and political level.

We understand this journey won’t be easy. Every community has specific and differing needs which need to be addressed. However this should not divide us, it should be our source of strength. Our common interest in cultural diversity should unite us in addressing social justice, human rights, education, heath, migration and settlement, housing, industrial relations, transport, cost of living, work-life balance and social inclusion. It impacts on us all as uniquely as multicultural Australians.

In 2008 we want you to join YOUR ECC in developing a program for change.

Sunday 31st of August 2008. Starts 10:00am finishes at 3pm. 221 Cope Street, Waterloo.

See you all there

Best wishes to the Australian Olympic Team!

We look forward with excitement to watching One World come together for the2008 Beijing Olympic games.The Ethnic Communities' Council would like to extend our best wishes to our Australian Olympic Team, to AOC Chief John Coates and Deputy Chef de Mission Lynne Bates (pictured).

Let our migrant communities brighten the tapestry that forms our nation

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”.

I invite you to add to this list.

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.

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.

Ted Quan
ECC Chair

Hong Kong –NSW Business Awards now Open

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council together with the Hong Kong Australia Business Association –NSW Chapter is encouraging participants to enter in the annual Hong Kong –NSW Business Awards of Excellence

The awards acknowledge the achievements of local NSW companies trading with Hong Kong, said Director of HKTDC Australia/ NZ Ms Bonnie Shek “The awards recognize individuals and companies striving for excellence in all aspects of international trade between Australia/NSW and Hong Kong SAR/China,” Ms Shek told “It also provides incentive for other NSW based companies to establish trade links with Hong Kong.” There are six award categories, including export of goods, export of service, imports of goods, imports of service, creative SME, contribution to the industry.

In addition to these awards, there will be a Grand Prize selected from one of the six winners. The independent judging panel is to be chaired by The Hon. Sir Laurence Street AC KCMG QC, and comprises The Hon. Henry Tsang OAM MLC with other professionals and industry heads from Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Austrade, Qantas Airways, Aon Risk Services and CMC Markets.Previous Business Awards Grand Prize Winner was Nature’s Care Manufacturing. Other winners included Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Bluechip Infotech Pty. Ltd, Rockman (Australia) Pty.Ltd, K Square Karaoke Lounge, Informed Investors Magazine and Kairos International Pty. Ltd.

Mr Peter Sinn, President of the HKABA NSW, adds “This year the awards have grown to recognize those companies doing business between not only Hong Kong and NSW but also China, 2008 is the biggest year yet with significant sponsors supporting the event led by Qantas Airways Ltd, Aon Risk Services and CMC Markets, truly making this a not to be missed event” The winners will be announced at the Annual Hong Kong Australia Business Association-NSW Chapter Business Awards of Excellence gala dinner, to be held at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney on October 17.

NSW Businesses can enter online http://www.hkaba-nsw.com.au entries close mid-late August 2008 or contactMr. Peter Bosevski from Hong Kong Trade Development Council Email: peter.bosevski@tdc.org.hk orMs Coco Li from Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA-NSW)Email: hkaba_nsw@tdc.org.hkPhone: 02-9261-8911

ADVANCING AUSTRALIA FAIRLY MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER COMPETITION 2008

1. Background to the Competition

Today’s young people will be tomorrow’s leaders. They will make a critical contribution to building an Australia that promotes tolerance, respect and understanding, and is dedicated to combating prejudice and discrimination against individuals or groups on any basis.

Advancing Australia Fairly is an annual competition that aims to stimulate university and TAFE students to think about their contribution towards shaping Australia’s future.

The competition organizers come from diverse backgrounds and community groups, but are united in our commitment to work together for the common good. We share universal values of love, compassion, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law. This competition is a contribution towards building unity in diversity in the Australian community.

2. Competition Theme

The theme of this year’s competition is

GROWING TOGETHER IN HARMONY: MY PROPOSAL

Students are invited to express their ideas as essays or visuals.


3. Competition Details

3.1 Competition Categories:
There are two separate sections to the competition – an essay section and a graphic/photo section

The essay should be one page or less (800 words maximum)

The graphic/photo should be a graphic image or photo supported by no more than 300 words. Minimum size is 10cm x 15cm and maximum size is 20cm x 25cm.

3.2 Submission of Entries
Entries may be submitted by individual students or by groups of students attending Universities or TAFE colleges throughout Australia

All entries must be original.

Entries to be posted to
ADVANCING AUSTRALIA FAIRLY COMPETITION
PO Box 443
KINGS CROSS, NSW 1340

3.3 Closing Date
The closing date for all entries will be 8 August 2008. Entries will become the property of the competition organisers.

3.4 Judging
A panel of qualified judges will judge the entries. Decisions made by the judging panel are final.

The entries will be judged on the overall clarity of meaning, focus and relevance of the entry, and its appropriateness relative to illustrating the theme of the competition. Originality and innovation will score highly. Dramatic, beautiful, truthful and creative images will rate highly in the graphic/photo section.

The organisers reserve the right not to award a prize if, in the opinion of the judges, there is no eligible entry that satisfies the judging criteria.

3.5 Winning entries
· Each entrant will receive a certificate of acknowledgement
· Winning entries in each section will receive a prize of $4000
· There will be 6 runners up prizes in each section. Each of these prizes will be $1000
· Winners will be publicly announced in 21 Sept. 2008 to mark the ‘ International day of Peace.
· Winning entries may be published, exhibited publicly, used for promotional purposes or uploaded onto World Wide Web.

4. Organisers

The competition has been initiated by
· The Alfred Dreyfus Unit ( under the umbrella of MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER )
· Australian Baha’i Community
· Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA)

Community groups and organisations are invited to contribute to the competition as partners or supporters.

Competition partners will contribute, materially or in kind, towards the planning and implementation of the competition.

Competition supporters give their endorsement to the competition and its aims, and commit to promoting it within their organisations and networks.

Supporters of the inaugural competition in 2007 included: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Uniting Church Education, Buddhist Council of NSW, Hindu Council of Australia, Chinese Australian Forum, Hye Hoki, and the NSW Senior Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC.

Competition sponsors for 2008 include: Meriton, Specialty Fashion Group, Amitran

5. Further Information

Further information and entry forms will be available from the competition website, www.movingforwardtogether.com.au

B’nai B’rith contact person: Ernie Friedlander, tel (02) 9361 6035 or email erniefrbnaibrith@ozemail.com.au
Australian Baha’i Community contact person: Natalie Mobini-Kesheh, tel (02) 9877 5826 or email natalie.mobini@bnc.bahai.org.au

Photo from Chinese Community Beijing Olympics Dinner

Young Australian Olympians for Beijing 2008, divers Alexandra Croak and Matthew Mitcham holding one of the auction items.

Women of Faith Dinner 08

WOMEN OF FAITH DINNER 08
reconciling inwardly, outwardly and in between

Keynote Speaker Coral Oomera Edwards
'Aboriginal Spirituality'
Also featuring will be Jewish, Christian & Muslim speakers

Entertainment: Cultural Music & Dancing
Date: Saturday, 31st May 2008
Time: 7pm for a 7:30pm start
Location: Parra Villa Function Lounge 42 Campbell St, Parramatta (behind Westfield)Cost: $38 per person (includes three course meal plus dessert)
Bookings & Payments are Essential.

Please RSVP by 17th May at registrations@affinity.org.au or by phone on 02 9702 0789