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

Inspirational works by Australian school children at Harmony Day Poster Awards at Parliament House

From ECC Chair Mr Ted Quan

I was privileged today to be invited to Parliament House to join theMinister for Education in presenting the Award to students for the annualHarmony Day Poster competition.

There were 3,600 entries.In the attached photo, I am with the overall winner Ashneet Kaur Sethi fromSt Ives High School next to her winning entry.The theme of living and growing in harmony is such a valued notion in ourAustralian community right now.

The Minister, John Della Bosca, spoke of howpeople need to be taught to hate and to be prejudiced. Reflecting on the song "You've gotta be carefully taught" from Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical"South Pacific".

The organiser of this competition Ernie Friedlander had told of how hestarted the event to honour the German soldier who had the compassion tosave his life and his mother's life during WWII.

The risk taken by this German soldier and his kindness was not forgotten by the then 8 year old Ernie. I just wanted to share with all of you how inspired I was to see so many school children being encouraged to promote harmony... Not prejudice!

Saying Sorry: Towards an equal partnership for all Australians

It was indeed heartening to see today at the 42nd Opening of Federal Parliament, our Prime Minister taking the reconciliatory step forward in acknowledging the ill treatment of the Stolen Generations, their descendants and families.

In his speech, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined his vision of : “A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia.” ECC whole-heartedly supports this goal for our nation.

Last weekend, we witnessed the record gathering of 80,000 people in Sydney streets to celebrate and share in a cultural event – Welcoming in the Lunar New Year.

It is a vision of the ECC to work towards encouraging all communities to celebrate and share many other festivals in our Multicultural calendar. 2008 looks to be a positive year for social inclusion and multiculturalism.

Ted Quan ECC Chair