Mr Turnbull’s commitment to provide a further $130 million to support peace-building and assistance to displaced people; and resettling refugees currently residing in Costa Rica, are also very positive outcomes from the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in New York.
With conflicts continuing unabated in many parts of the world, we can not just standby and watch as the number of displaced people and refugees continues to grow. I’m very proud that Australia is continuing a long tradition of providing a new home for the displaced and war weary.
We have to put aside comments by those who focus on the negative and conflate terrorists with refugees; this creates fear and doubt in people’s minds towards to men, women and children in their hour of need.
Hearing those voices of fear in our community is disappointing, particularly in light of the very successful settlement experience of around 700,000 refugees since the end of World War II. SSI will continue to counter these voices with the many positive stories of integration and social cohesion that organisations like ours encounter every day.
Some people may also try to criticise refugees by claiming they are over-reliant on welfare payments, however, those claims are not supported by the medium and long-term analysis.
More than 30 per cent of all refugees supported by SSI in NSW over the 12 months to August 31 found paid employment within their first year in Australia. Almost 70 started businesses.
All of our evidence shows that people arriving in Australia as refugees integrate well and contribute greatly to Australia’s cultural life and economy. We look forward to welcoming all who come and supporting them to overcome their past experience and make the most of their new opportunities.
Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO
Media Enquiries
SSI Manager Corporate Communications Angela Calabrese, Ph: 0401 284 828
SSI Online Communications Coordinator Callan Lawrence, Ph: 0478 156 491
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Forty-six scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000, will be offered in five categories, including primary and secondary school, vocational training, tertiary qualification and skills recognition.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said that from her experience, as supported by research, refugees who settle in Australia have a high motivation to work but this didn’t automatically lead to employment.
“Refugees who lack Australian work experience, affordable options for the recognition of their skills and qualifications, and limited access to English language tuition, face barriers in the employment market,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“The SSI Allianz Scholarships will reduce the financial barriers experienced by refugees as they participate in the NSW education system.”
Allianz Australia’s Managing Director, Niran Peiris said he was proud to help refugees receive an education and contribute to business.
“This scholarship program is about offering the support and opportunity for refugees to really make a difference at school, work and in the community.
“This scholarship reflects Allianz’s absolute commitment to diversity. We know that a diverse workforce is a better workforce.”
Earlier this year Allianz recruited nine new employees from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Vietnam, who came to Australia as refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
“As I said at the start of this partnership, Allianz and SSI both have a vision of playing a key support role in the community in the areas of education, employment and addressing social justice issues,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“Today, I’m proud of what that partnership has achieved so far, which is a new future for the new Allianz recruits and, through these scholarships, 46 more people will be given the opportunity that education offers,” Ms Roumeliotis added.
For more information and application forms, please go to:
Application forms for each category can be downloaded from the category page. The application deadline is October 31, 2016, with successful applicants being notified in December.
For more information and interview opportunities, contact:
Allianz
Elise Marley-Wallace
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Market Management
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd | 2 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: +61 2 8258 5747 | Fax +61 2 9390 6676 | Mobile 0406751336
Email: elise.marley-wallace@allianz.com.au
Allianz – Employer of Choice for Gender Equality 2014 – 2015
Allianz – Employer of Choice for Women (EOWA) 2009 – 2013
Settlement Services International
Angela Calabrese
Executive Manager
Corporate Communications
Settlement Services International
Ph: +61 2 8799 6700 I Mobile 0401 284 828
Email: acalabrese@ssi.org.au
About SSI
SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.
About Allianz Australia
Allianz Australia delivers a wide range of personal, commercial and corporate insurance products and services to more than 3 million policyholders. Over 50% of Australia’s top 200 BRW-listed companies have some form of insurance cover with the group and the group provides workers compensation services to around one-fifth of Australian employees.
Large General Insurance Company of the Year 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009*
Best General Insurance Company of the Year 2014, 2012, 2010, 2007, 2006**
Workplace Gender Equality Award 2015, 2014
Women’s Council Employer of the Year Award 2013
*Australia & New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards **Australian Banking and Finance Insurance Awards
As part of an extensive orientation program, SSI provides refugees and people seeking asylum with information about policing in Australia.
However, some new arrivals remain fearful of police officers stemming from experiences in their home countries, which can affect interactions between the two parties, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said.
“In 2013, we had a similar roundtable event with the NSW Police Force, and what came out of that was a wonderful initiative called ‘Coffee with a Cop’, where a uniformed officer engages with an asylum seeker or refugee on that human level, which at the end of the day is what we all desire – to be seen as a human and not as a label or a uniform,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“These sorts of initiatives are what come out of opportunities to discuss very human issues, like this roundtable. We can collectively put our heads together and achieve great outcomes.”
NSW Police Superintendent Peter Lennon, Commander of the Fairfield Local Area Command, said these opportunities were vital for both the Police Force and the community.
“You can’t put a value on how important these informal discussions are. They are certainly beneficial to our officers as I hope they are to the community, including the workers who support refugees and people seeking asylum. A number of settlement issues where police and service providers can cooperate to the benefit of refugees and asylum seekers were discussed,” Superintendent Lennon said.
“It is equally important that refugees and asylum seekers transition as smoothly as possible from being new arrivals to established members of the community.
“We recognise that being in a new country, with no or few friends or family is difficult and we’re here to assure you that police officers are your friends and we can all work together for a safer community.”
Over the course of the day, more than 60 participants from the police force and settlement sector worked through real-life scenarios where refugees or people seeking asylum might encounter police, with the aim of helping all participants to feel better equipped to jointly respond to such scenarios and achieve better outcomes for vulnerable new arrivals.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 02 8799 6740 or 0488 680 287
To be held at the Parkroyal Parramatta from November 3–4, the conference will host speakers including:
- Gladys Berejiklian – NSW Treasurer
- Captain Mona Shindy – Strategic Adviser on Islamic Cultural Affairs, Royal Australian Navy
- Kate Jenkins – Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Registrations are now open for the inaugural event, which is the outcome of a partnership between Settlement Services International (SSI) and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), with support from Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the conference would facilitate a lively and productive dialogue about the unique lived experiences of multicultural women, with the aim of influencing a shift in how women are supported and recognised in Australia.
“Women from diverse backgrounds contribute so much vitality, talent and enthusiasm to our communities. They are nurturing mothers, inspirational leaders and talented entrepreneurs, and yet the challenges and opportunities they face are often unique to their male counterparts,” she said.
“The National Multicultural Women’s Conference will provide a unique platform to share perspectives, innovations and approaches affecting women, and drive further collaboration and change across sectors.”
Earlybird registrations close on August 31, 2016. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organisations that work with or support cultural diversity and immigrant and refugee women. A range of sponsorship packages have been developed to ensure a successful outcome for sponsors and stakeholders. Click here for more information.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator, Louise Wallace, 0488 680 255
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 0488 680 287
A robust program of panel discussions and presentations will feature more than 40 speakers including Chinese-Australian artist Guo Jian and Iranian-Australian filmmaker and human rights activist Saba Vasefi.
The event, which was developed by not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI), in partnership with CPAC and with the support of CuriousWorks, will give people working in two complementary sectors the opportunity to share and reflect on their experiences and practice.
“By bringing together people whose work straddles the arts and refugee space, we hope to encourage discussion, critical thought, and creative exchange, and nurture future collaborations,” said SSI Arts and Culture Coordinator, Carolina Triana, who developed the Forum.
“The event is also a fantastic chance to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions refugees and people seeking asylum have made to the arts, while reflecting on the particular needs and challenges that artists from refugee backgrounds face in Australia.”
This contribution is highlighted in two exhibitions taking place at CPAC in conjunction with the Arts and Refugees Forum. The Refugees exhibition features works from 22 world-renowned artists from refugee backgrounds that were gathered from major public and private collections across Australia.
Another exhibition taking place at CPAC in conjunction with the forum is Beyond Refuge: Citizens, which CuriousWorks has developed with local Sydney-based artists who are former refugees, current asylum seekers and first generation Australians.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287
“UNHCR figures* show we’re on track to see the number of forcibly displaced people exceed 60 million for the first time. Among that group are more than 20 million refugees, which is the highest number recorded since 1992,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“These figures show that no-one is immune to the effects of war and persecution, so it’s important that we use opportunities like Refugee Week to raise awareness of the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions they make to Australian society.”
Many of the people SSI works with have only been in Australia a short while, but already, many are making a meaningful social and economic contribution, Ms Roumeliotis said.
“The refugee community has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re also seeing a widespread desire to give back to Australia and help others by volunteering and pursuing careers in social work or community services,” she said.
“A great example of this is a young Syrian refugee, Ania, who arrived in Australia late last year with her family after living in Lebanon for four years. Ania has studied extensively, speaks four languages, and recently secured work with the NSW Government. When she achieves her goal of studying political law, her contribution to Australian society will only grow. ”
Ms Roumeliotis said Refugee Week, which runs from June 19 to 25, was a chance to acknowledge the skills refugees like Ania bring to their new homes.
“Behind the ‘refugee’ label are people like you and me. Seeking safety, they have been forced to leave behind everything they know – friends, family, memories, their homeland – and it’s incumbent on us to offer a warm welcome,” she said.
SSI launched its Refugee Week celebrations on Saturday with the New Beginnings Refugee Arts & Culture Festival in Darling Harbour, which featured live music, dance performances, workshops, and food and market stalls.
The celebrations will continue over the next week, with an art exhibition, documentary screening and more. Visit Newbeginningsfestival.com.au for more information.
*Source: UNHCR Mid-year Trends
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287 or 02 8799 6740
SSI Communications Coordinator Louise Wallace 0488 680 255 or 02 8799 6741
The Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra (SWMCO) will take to the stage as the headline act at the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival on June 18, bringing together the orchestra’s 11 performers who come from as many different countries.
With a strong focus on new music that challenges the norms of Eastern and Western traditions, SWMCO artistic director Richard Petkovic said the orchestra showcased the talents of refugee artists and highlighted the benefits of working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds.
This had an important role to play in shifting negative perceptions about multiculturalism and encouraging people to embrace diversity, he added.
“There is so much rubbish out there about multiculturalism, and yet there are so many hidden treasures. We need to give light to the artists that are hidden away in Western Sydney and showcase our diversity which should be the envy of the world,” he said.
“Great music brings people together and it can help to transform ourselves into better people.”
As part of a dynamic line up of performers and artists at New Beginnings 2016, SWMCO will combine an eclectic mix of cultural music from Mongolia, East Turkistan, Vietnam, China, Mexico and Indigenous Australia to create new Australian music that explores different cultures, faiths and genres.
Including a number of performers from refugee backgrounds, Mr Petkovic said the orchestra encompassed the themes of the New Beginnings festival: hope, unity and new beginnings.
“Featuring some of the best ‘world’ musicians in Sydney, SWMCO melds classical strings, Dervish rhythms, Latin Samba and intimate melodies to smash conservative music conventions and create a dynamic journey that changes the internal chemistry of the listener,” Mr Petkovic said.
SSI Arts & Culture Program Coordinator, and New Beginnings festival producer, Carolina Triana said the festival provided a unique opportunity for everyday Australians to gain an insight to the unique talents of artists and performers from refugee backgrounds.
“Refugee communities have so much to contribute to Australian society such as unique skills, cuisines and cultures. New Beginnings brings these talents to the foreground and encourages intercultural understanding among the broader community,” she said.
The New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival is a free, family friendly event that will be held at a number of locations throughout Sydney as part of Refugee Week.
Starting with a one-day festival at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour on June 18, New Beginnings will also feature an art exhibition at Chrissie Cotter Gallery in Marrickville from June 17–26.
Media are invited to attend the Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra media rehearsal on Wednesday May 25 from 7pm at Keynote Rehearsal Studios, 11/378 Parramatta Road, Homebush West.
For more information about New Beginnings, visit www.newbeginningsfestival.com.au
For more information about Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra, visit www.culturalartscollective.com.au
New Beginnings 2016 is produced by SSI and supported by Marrickville Council, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Multicultural NSW and Allianz.
Media queries:
SSI Communications Coordinator, Louise Wallace
lwallace@ssi.org.au, 0488 680 255, or (02) 8799 6741
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell
hgartrell@ssi.org.au, 0488 680 287, or (02) 8799 6740
“Volunteers provide the friendship and practical support that is so important for people adjusting to life in a new country, with different social norms, transport systems and vital services, such as healthcare and education,” she said.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in connecting new arrivals to the Australian community, and their contributions make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.
“Our volunteers are engineers, teachers, painters and more, and their efforts to mentor and support new arrivals helps them to overcome feelings of isolation and develop a positive sense of community in Australia.”
Ms Roumeliotis applauded the efforts of volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week, and said their continued support helped to empower vulnerable individuals to realise their full potential in Australia.
“National Volunteer Week provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect on the efforts of our volunteers and their valuable contributions to support our clients,” she said.
Figures* show more than six million Australians volunteer each year. The face of volunteering, however, is changing, with more people using volunteering to gain work experience in areas including client support and administration.
Many of SSI’s volunteers come from migrant backgrounds and a large proportion are refugees, whose qualifications are not always recognised in the Australian labour market.
Volunteering is one way for new arrivals to gain local work experience, while sharing their knowledge with more recently arrived refugees.
National Volunteer Week 2016 runs from May 9–15 and celebrates the contributions of volunteers across Australia.
* Source: ABS Voluntary Work, Australia, 2010
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287 or 02 8799 6740
SSI Communications Coordinator Louise Wallace 0488 680 255 or 02 8799 6741
New Beginnings this year will feature three separate events across Sydney, including a one-day arts and culture festival on June 18 at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, where the live music, dance performances and workshops will include:
- Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra: An 11-piece orchestra with artists from cultural backgrounds that are as diverse as their instruments.
- Heartdancers: A troupe that weaves Aboriginal Australian sounds, dance and stories with yoga for workshops accompanied by musicians from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
- Mythra Ensemble: This group draws influence from Iran, Armenia, Turkey and the Kurdish culture to create music that is a mix of folk and modern in style.
- Lucky African Dance: A dynamic West African performer who leads audiences in high energy dance workshops.
- Yasmin and Fanous: This talented singer and ensemble blend traditional African sounds with improvisation and modern tunes.
- Iraqi Cultural Festival Folkloric Group: Featuring the Terezka Drnzik Dance Ensemble, this singing and dancing spectacular showcases traditional Iraqi Khashaba music.
Presented with the support of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), the free Darling Harbour event will include food and market stalls showcasing an array of international cuisines and cultural handicrafts. Everyone is welcome.
SSI Arts & Culture Program Coordinator Carolina Triana said the expanded New Beginnings 2016 line up was a testament to the success of the inaugural 2015 festival, which attracted more than 1000 community members, performers and artists.
“The New Beginnings festival is a celebration of the talents and cultural diversity of people from refugee backgrounds, who bring so much vitality to the arts sector in Australia,” Ms Triana said.
“We are looking forward to seeing the 2016 program evolve so that more people from the community can share and enjoy the music, dance, craft and flavours on display.”
New Beginnings 2016 will also feature an art exhibition from June 17–26 that will include visual art, photography, multimedia, installation works and film screenings.
Presented with the support of Marrickville Council as part of Open Marrickville 2016, the exhibition at Camperdown’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery will conclude with a special closing event on Sunday June 26.
New Beginnings 2016 is produced and presented by Settlement Services International (SSI), a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation.
For more information, head to www.newbeginningsfestival.com.au.
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator, Louise Wallace
lwallace@ssi.org.au, 0488 680 255, or (02) 8799 6741
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell
hgartrell@ssi.org.au, 0488 680 287, or (02) 8799 6740
New Beginnings 2016 will kick off with a one-day Arts & Culture Festival on June 18 at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour that will feature live music, dance performances and workshops.
Presented with the support of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA), the free event will also include food and market stalls showcasing an array of international cuisines and cultural handicrafts.
There are a number of ways to get involved in the family-friendly event:
- Performing artists from refugee backgrounds are encouraged to showcase their talents to the community. Individuals and groups are welcome to apply, provided that at least one member of the group has a refugee background or is currently seeking asylum in Australia.
- Creative workshop facilitators are needed to deliver fun and engaging cultural experiences that appeal to a wide range of audiences, such as traditional dance and kids-only workshops.
- Stallholders are invited to host cultural food and market stalls to complement the festival program
New Beginnings is currently inviting performing artists, stall holders and workshops facilitators to get involved. Expressions of interest are now open. Visit the New Beginnings Festival website for more information or to download Expression of Interest forms.
New Beginnings 2016 will also feature an Art Exhibition from June 17–26 that will include visual art, photography, multimedia, installation works and film screenings. Presented with the support of Marrickville Council as part of Open Marrickville 2016, the exhibition at Camperdown’s Chrissie Cotter Gallery will conclude with a special closing event on Sunday June 26.
Marking the end of New Beginnings will be a Community Meal on July 13 to celebrate the break of the fast during Ramadan. More details to come, so stay tuned!
The New Beginnings festival is produced and presented by Settlement Services International (SSI), a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation.
Participant enquiries:
SSI Arts & Culture Coordinator, Caroline Triana,
ctriana@ssi.org.au, (02) 8799 6783 or 0435 865 084
Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator, Louise Wallace
lwallace@ssi.org.au, 0488 680 255 or (02) 8799 6741
SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell,
hgartrell@ssi.org.au, or (02) 8799 6740