Page 252 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2006
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inclusion, sometimes referred to as social inclusion. This is about addressing social and economic disadvantage so that all people feel included in the life of our community.
During wide-ranging consultation with members of the ACT community to develop building our community, community inclusion was seen as the best term to describe the aims and actions of this plan; the way we create a place in which all people reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of our community; the way we seek to enable all members of our community to be engaged in the social and economic life of the ACT, regardless of a person’s social status, age, sexuality, race, religious beliefs or cultural or linguistic background. This may simply mean assisting someone who has recently arrived in the ACT, through to helping vulnerable people with their multi-faceted needs. Social trust and quality of life in a harmonious society depend greatly on the strength of this inclusiveness and connectedness.
The ACT government has implemented a number of measures to achieve an inclusive and harmonious society within our cultural and linguistically diverse Canberra community. The government funds community projects that enhance community harmony through a number of grant programs. The multicultural grants program aims to enhance the ACT community through the development of innovate projects that highlight the community’s cultural diversity and contribute to social harmony. The multicultural radio grants program provides funding to assist multicultural broadcasters in the ACT. The multicultural community language grants program provides funding to assist those who wish to operate community language schools.
The office of multicultural affairs also administers the work experience and support program, a program to assist Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have been long-term unemployed to enter the work force by giving them the opportunity to improve their skills and confidence and to develop important networks in the ACT public service. Since 2002, about 80 per cent of participants have gained employment following their participation in seven programs.
As I said, I encourage everyone to remain vigilant in protecting and promoting the gains that we have made in our multicultural society. In the current global and national context, it is imperative that we continue to embrace our identity as a multicultural community, enjoying and harnessing every opportunity that life in the ACT has to offer. It is imperative that we continue to grow in our appreciation and understanding of our friends and our neighbours. It is imperative that we continue to strive for true equality, fairness and respect for basic human rights. This is a shared responsibility of government, business, the community and the media. The Stanhope government today confirms its commitment to this, through leadership, strategic policy and, most importantly, action.
MR PRATT (Brindabella) (4.32): I stand to join with Ms Porter in celebrating the multicultural festival, which is the essence of her MPI. Ms Porter has ranged widely over multicultural affairs in her speech. I do not intend to do that because I did that yesterday in response to Dr Foskey’s motion. I do not think we need to do that. I am going to celebrate the multicultural festival, which is very much the essence of what Ms Porter’s speech was.
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