Transformations awards acknowledge local government for promoting cultural diversity
31 March 2005
Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and the Australian Local Government Association have today jointly announced the winners of the Transformations awards for local government excellence in supporting cultural diversity. The awards re being presented by the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Peter McGauran MP, at a ceremony in Sydney.
FECCA is Australia's peak body promoting multiculturalism and representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
These awards were incorporated into the international conference, Transformations: culture and the environment in human development, held in Canberra in February 2005 and co-convened by FECCA, ALGA, the Australian National University, the Planning Institute of Australia and UNESCO. Local governments were encouraged to submit their best-practice programs that reflected the theme of the conference and to present papers about these programs during conference sessions.
"For multicultural values to succeed they must be embraced by all Australians, by all sectors of industry and business and across all spheres of government" said the Chair of FECCA today, Mr Abd Malak, "in many ways it is local government that is leading the way."
"Local governments work closest with, and knows best, their communities, what services they need, and what are issues of concern."
Mr Malak said that both winning entries showed best-practice in their delivery of benefits to local and state communities in sustainable and meaningful ways.
"They clearly embed the recognition and respect of cultural diversity into the core business of their organisations, this is the ultimate goal of all multicultural policy and shows us the way to strong, healthy communities and good government in the future in Australia."
Councillor Paul Bell, President of the ALGA said that ALGA welcomed this opportunity to work with FECCA in recognising the achievements of the winners. "We recognise the winners and commended all entrants for their commitment to working with their diverse communities in sustainable, culturally appropriate ways," Cr Bell said.
Winners
- Holroyd City Council for its Community Education Program
- Local Government Association of Queensland for its Local Area Multicultural Partnership Program
