English for Bilingual Workers

Faculty of Further Education

English for Bilingual Health Workers

Do you have some experience and /or interest in working in the health sector?
Do you want to use your bilingual skills?

English for Bilingual Health Workers is an accredited intermediate English language course that will help you develop your language skills, whilst gaining skills and knowledge relevant to working in the health sector. The course will be based on the ESL Frameworks curriculum. Students who satisfactorily complete all modules will be awarded Certificate III in ESL Employment, and relevant training package units.

The aim of this specialised course is to improve students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to assist them in finding employment in the health sector using their bilingual and bicultural skills, and/or to undertake further study.

Bilingual health workers may find employment in community health centres, hospitals, health promotion organisations, or women’s health centres, in roles such as administration worker, client access worker, or health educator.

Course content
· English language study at intermediate level
· Introduction to the health sector
· Workplace skills relevant to the health sector
· Exploring employment and further study options leading to work in the health sector

How you will learn
· Individual and group tasks
· Computer training, including Internet
· Guest speakers from the health sector
· Visits to health sector organisations
· Research and presentation projects
· Work placements
When: Commencing February 2009, date to be confirmed
How long: 20 hours a week x 36 weeks
Where: NMIT Collingwood Campus
20 Otter St, Collingwood
Cost: approx $248 - to be confirmed
(support with fees may be available)
For further information phone: Rachel Wilson on 9269 1081 email: rachelwilson@nmit.vic.edu.au
or Anne Giddens on 9269 8320

English for Bilingual Health Workers
Information Session and Assessment


If you would like to find out more about this course you will need to attend an Information Session. You will also need to have an assessment of your English language skills to ensure that this course is right for you.

An Information Session will be held at the NMIT Collingwood Campus on:

Thursday 11th December 2008
10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.

The Information Session will be held in Building A, Room A213 (enter from Otter St).

If you would like to attend this session, please contact Rachel Wilson or Anne Giddens to let us know you are coming.

When: Commencing February 2009, date to be confirmed
How long: 20 hours a week x 36 weeks
Where: NMIT Collingwood Campus
20 Otter St, Collingwood
Cost: approx $248 - to be confirmed
(support with fees may be available)
For further information phone: Rachel Wilson on 9269 1081 email: rachelwilson@nmit.vic.edu.au
or Anne Giddens on 9269 8320

Understanding Money Flyer

Understanding Money Training

The Office of Women’s Policy has provided funding for Berry Street’s Sudanese Family Strengthening Project to deliver FREE ‘Understanding Money’ financial literacy training to men and women who live in the Northern Metropolitan Region.

What is it? This is about understanding your money and making informed choices and decisions about it. As we know, our money can affect our everyday lives, our family relationships and our health and wellbeing.

We hope that this training will help to improve your understanding of your money and your financial situation.

Details: This is three day training-

Monday 3^rd November, Thursday 6^th November, Friday 7^th November

Time: 9.30am- 2.30pm

Place: Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor Street, Fitzroy

Car: On street parking (restricted)

Tram: 112 (along Brunswick Street)/ 86 (Along Smith Street)

Bus: 200, 201, 207

Child Care: Will be provided free of charge. When you respond to say that you are coming to the training, we will ask about childcare and tell you the details. It is very close to the library.

Note: Lunch and morning tea will be provided with this training. Let us know if you have special food needs.

Respond: Please contact the Sudanese Family Support Workers by the 24^th October as numbers are restricted.

Contact Details:

William Abur

wabur@berrystreet.org.au

0437 251 843

Nafisa Ali Mohamed

nmohamed@berrystreet.org.au

0427 833 990

Good News: Everyone that takes part in the three day training will receive a FREE monthly Metcard ticket- thanks to Women’s Health in the North and Traveller’s Aid

Everyone who participates in the training will receive a Completion Certificate

SGP IHSS Forum 31 October 08

Date for your Diary:

SGP/IHSS Forum

Topic:

Mental Health

The Forum will provide an opportunity to explore the following issues:

· The impact of mental health issues in client communities?

· How the subject of mental health can be addressed with communities?

· What are the communities’ perceptions of counselling and mental health services are?

· What services are available and how our clients can access those services?

· How can the referral process be improved?

· What are the issues and challenges that your organisation encounters in working with refugee communities?

Mental Health practitioners will give a presentation and a panel of community members (from the Iraqi, Burmese, Afghani and Sudanese communities) will share issues from their community.

Forum Date: 31 October 2008

Time: 9:30 am - 1:00pm

Where: Multicultural Hub
506-510 Elizabeth Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Space is limited to 60, to secure your attendance please RSVP to barici@ames.net.au by 21 October 2008.

Commonwealth Bank Grants Program

Applications are now open for the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Foundation Financial Literacy Grants and Local Grants programs.

The Financial Literacy Grants are awarded to secondary schools to support financial literacy education programs. The program awards $3,500 grants to 100 secondary schools across Australia. All Government, Catholic and Independent secondary schools with students from years 7 to 12 are eligible to apply. Applications close 17 September 2008.
Further details can be located on the following link:
http://www.commbank.com.au/foundation/

To be eligible to apply for a Local Grant the organisation needs to:- Support the health and wellbeing of Australian children.- Identify realistic, measurable and achievable project goals and outcomes.- Be endorsed by the Australian Tax Office with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.
Applications close 5 September 2008 and further details can be obtained on the following link:
http://about.commbank.com.au/group_display/0%2C1696%2CTS16848%2C00.html

YSF June Minutes

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_65c85xbzck

AMEP Review Discussion Paper

A review of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) commenced in February 2008. The AMEP Review aims to address a number of issues associated with the delivery and administration of the AMEP.

The AMEP Review Discussion Paper is a part of the AMEP Review’s consultation process which focuses on key issues raised in focus groups. You are invited to make a written submission in response to the Discussion Paper. Your input will help to enact changes likely to lead to improved settlement outcomes for new arrivals.

Details on how to submit your response are in the Discussion Paper, which is available to download as a PDF file from the following page:
www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/amep-review-paper.htm

Submissions are due by 15 August 2008.

DIAC follow-up to last YSF meeting

Good practice guide to empower new refugees settling in Australia
Friday, 20 June 2008

A collection of successful settlement projects will boost community interest in similar initiatives and assist Australia’s humanitarian arrivals in adjusting to their new home, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson said while launching a good practice guide on World Refugee. Empowering Refugees: A Good Practice Guide to Humanitarian Settlement showcases 29 successful projects – in the government and non-government sectors – from around Australia in key areas such as health, education, employment, law and community harmony. The Guide can be downloaded from: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/settle/empowering_refugees/index.htm


Grants to help refugees with citizenship test
Wednesday 18 June 2008

The Australian Government will provide $3.4 million in grants to help refugees and other people who require special assistance prepare for the Australian citizenship test, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced during Refugee Week. See the full release at: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2008/ce08055.htm

New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre has been funded to provide this assistance in Inner Melbourne, which includes the City of Yarra.


Australia balances refugee priorities
Friday 20 June 2008

Australia’s refugee and humanitarian intake for 2008-09 will help provide a new life for 13 500 people who have fled their troubled homelands in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Announcing the regional allocations for Australia’s Humanitarian Program on World Refugee Day, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said that Africa, the Middle East and Asia will each be allocated a 33 percent intake, with the remaining one percent allocated for contingencies. See the full release at: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2008/ce08056.htm

VCAL/Hospitality Taster Program

NMIT
Youth Unit / Faculty Of Hospitality, Tourism and Personal Services
VCAL / Hospitality
Industry Services:
Taster Program

(Click on image to view larger document)

YSF May Minutes

You can view minutes by clicking onn the following link:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_63hr9rqphg

Please note that the venue for the next YSF has changed to:

The Fitzroy Learning Network

198 Napier St, Fitzroy

( Phone 9417 2897)

Refugee Week Celebrations - Click on image to enlarge

Take Action! Lobby the UN to Provide Humanitarian Relief in Sudan Now

Tuesday 27th May, 2008 - Fitzroy Learning Network supported the Melbourne based Sudanese community group, Dinka Ngok Abyei Community Association of Australia, who have lost many family and friends in the past weeks from Abyei, the oil rich point of contention between Northern and Southern Sudan.

They are outraged and shocked at the lack of response from UN forces regarding the latest series of violent attacks in Abyei. Dressed in black, to symbolise their family's deaths over oil, they took to the city streets en-masse and presented to parliament their requests to demilitarise the area and deploy UN forces into Abyei immediately.

"STOP EXTREMIST GOVT. KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE IN SUDANPROVIDE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF NOW

This week we have lost sons & daughters, sisters & brothers, mothers & fathers, husbands & wives. Our families"

Please see http://www.fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au/sudan.html for more details.

Yarra Settlement Forum 27/05/08

Agenda for 27 May 2008

Fitzroy Town Hall - Cnr of Napier and Moore Street ( Enter from Moore st)

11-1pm

1. Wlcome and Apologies

2. Acknowledgement of Counrty

3. New Business
Guest Speaker Mary Danckert - Youth Support and Development Manager
Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues www.cmyi.net.au

****lunch****

4.Business
a. Refugee Week Celebration June 25
b. Information Sharing

Next Meeting
June 24 - Guest Speaker: Joe Morris - Yarra Drug and Health Forum

YSF Meeting Attendance 22/04/08

Yarra Settlement Forum

Tuesday 22 April

Fitzroy Town Hall

Present
Name	Organisation & Email
Maggie Abdelmalak	North Yarra Community health
Nelum Buddhadasa	City of Yarra
Vicky Fisher	Ames Settlement FisherV@amesnet.au
Sasha Findlay	Red Cross sfindlay@redcross.org.au
Heather Stock	Fitzroy Learning Network
Steve O’Malley	MFB
Colette Bacash	New Hope Migrant Resource Centre
Kerry Wise	JSS
Michael Abdilla	DIAC
Warren Crosbie	3ZZZ
Anne Joiner	Collingwood English Language school
Meghan Fitzgerald	Fitzroy Legal Service
Belinda Lo	Fitzroy Legal Service
Joe Morris	Yarra Drug and Health Forum
Colleen Duggen	Fitzroy Learning Network
Denise Williams	FKA Children’s Services
Kate Smith	BSL
Kerrie Mannina	Fitzroy Learning Network
Apologies
Abby and Judy	Smith Family
Tim Watson	City of Yarra
Maria Palomares	Centrelink
Mary Walsh	Collingwood English Language school
Janet Williams-Smith	BSL
Chrisouls Kanaris	New Hope MRC

Fitzroy Legal Service Presentation - YSF 22/05/08

WORKING WITH CALD COMMUNITIES & DEALING WITH THE LAW

Introduction

Some Common Issues Arising

The Role of Non Legal & Legal Workers

A Closer Look at Some Specific Areas of Law

Family

Centrelink

Infringement & Driving Offences

Contracts

Criminal Matters

Migration

Introduction

Legal Practice (Duty Lawyer NJC, Criminal & Family Lawyer, Lawyer dealing with Infringement matters, & Drug Outreach Lawyer)

Social Action Team (Advocacy, Legal Projects & Community Legal Education)

Free Legal Night Service (Monday to Friday 6 to 9.30 PM)

Free Access to Interpreters

Some Common Issues

• Language, culture, experiences

• High levels of regulation in society

• Role of various authorities

• Bureaucratic expectations

• Expectations of fairness

• Discrimination & racism

• Confidentiality and reputation (issues with accessing assistance)

• Ignorance of the law not an excuse

The Role of Non Legal & Legal Workers

Preventative roles (community legal education)

Flexible limits on roles

Outer limit is prohibition on non lawyers providing legal advice, and risks for lawyers crossing ethical boundaries

A great deal of legal work can involve

• Accessing and sharing information

• Making appropriate and timely referrals

Accessing and sharing information

• Sources of law & information about the law

• Sources of free legal information or advice

• Sources of free specialist legal advice

Making timely & appropriate referrals

• Identifying crystallizing moment when lawyer required

• Not always clear

• Looking for elements of reliance/ vulnerability, potential for loss/ detriment, complexity of response required

• Examples: criminal & civil matters

Family Law

• Inclusive of: marriage, separation & divorce, property settlement, family arrangements regarding children, child support payments (Family Law Act)

• Linked to issues of family violence (Family Violence Act), or contact with protective services (Children Youth and Families Act)

Some Examples

• Woman has been married in Ethiopia and is divorced in a traditional fashion

• She has no contact with ex spouse since living in refugee camp

• Now wants to get divorced under Australian law

• Woman has daughter of thirteen and is concerned the child’s father may take her back home to be married without her knowledge

• Family enters Australia and includes extra sibling as a child of the marriage who is the mother’s child only

• Birth dates altered to reflect this arrangement in a simplified fashion

• Relationship breaks down and ex husband becomes frustrated paying child support for the said child

• Woman living with children and husband and subjected to violence, intimidation or the like

• She does not believe she can leave the relationship for reasons of housing/ financial/ residency status

How would you approach these?

Centrelink

Example

Woman is receiving single mother’s benefit and doing some casual work

She does not read English & has limited English language

Her ten year old daughter fills out her forms and has made some reports of earnings

Over the course of time she is overpaid

She has a social worker but finds her difficult to contact

She has never had access to an interpreter

What should have happened

Client should have been able to speak to Centrelink in her own language by calling 13 1202

Her office should have been able to organize free of charge translation of all documents

She shuld have been able to access Centrelink information online in her own language

What did happen

• Client had legal assistance to appeal the initial decision in the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and to defend criminal charges of fraud

• Though her evidence was accepted she was found guilty and received a criminal conviction as well as repayment orders

• She is now finding it very difficult to find employment though she has received nursing training and done English language studies

Infringement & Driving Offences

• Common charges include: drive without license, drive unregistered vehicle, drive whilst disqualified/ suspended, traffic offences (Road Safety Act), failure to show identification & infringement offences

• At initial stages may be discretion & opportunity to make representations

• Later important to facilitate legal advice if possible

Contracts

• Basic principles: offer, acceptance, intention to create legal relations, consideration

• Fair Trading Act offers consumer protection against unfairness: e.g. punitive terms, unconscionable conduct, misrepresentation

• Power differentials can be significant

Criminal Matters

• Right to an interpreter at interview

• Right to make telephone calls

• Right to silence

• Right to freedom of movement unless placed under arrest

• Right to be released from custody within a reasonable time if being questioned & to be granted bail

• Referrals

• RILC

• ASRC

• Springvale Monash LS

• Whittlesea CLC

Migration Referrals

• RILC

• ASRC

• Springvale Monash Legal Service

• Whittlesea Community Legal Centre

Conclusion

• Issues of language, culture & experience can make interaction with the law significantly more complex & create the need for more intensive ongoing support

• Services the not for profit legal sector can offer include legal education, provision of written resources, generalist & specialized legal advice, referrals

• Particularly useful contact points Victoria Legal Aid & the Federation of Community Legal Centres

DIAC Community Relations Funding Announced

Community Relations funding is available to help incorporated non-profit organisations address issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance. Projects should target all people living in a community or local government area and promote respect, fairness, inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone.

In 2008, $1.5 million has been made available for Community Relations funding activities including $100 000 to assist smaller organisations. Under this new arrangement, amounts of up to $5000 will be available for smaller and less complex projects. Major projects will be allocated funding of between $5000 and $50 000.

Objectives of the Community Relations funding
The objectives of the Australian Government’s Community Relations funding include the promotion of:

· the importance of all Australians respecting one another regardless of cultural, racial or religious difference

· the fair treatment of all Australians, encouraging people to recognise that our interactions should be accepting of, and responsive to people’s backgrounds, circumstances, needs and preferences

· opportunities for people to participate in Australian society and to understand the rights and responsibilities that we share as part of that society

· a sense of belonging for everyone by helping communities work towards a peaceful, progressive and prosperous future

· understanding and acceptance by the broader community of Australia’s changing demographics.

How to apply
There are separate guidelines for small grants and for larger grants with a two-stage process used for this funding. Organisations are required to submit an Expression of Interest and those projects that are short-listed are invited to submit a supplementary application form. See: Community Relations Projects Expression of Interest form <http://www.harmony.gov.au/grants/_pdf/projects-eoi-form.doc> (3.9MB Word file).

Expressions of Interest should be lodged through the following email address:
communityrelationsfunding@immi.gov.au. The deadline for submitting completed applications and expressions of interest is 6.00pm Friday 23 May 2008.

For further information see the website: http://www.harmony.gov.au/grants/index.htm
or telephone: 1800 782 002 or email: communityrelationsfunding@immi.gov.au.

Youth radio: SYN 90.7 FM

Student Radio is thriving in Melbourne, and some of it is multicultural!

SYN (Student Youth Network) 90.7 FM syn.org.au
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/SYN/20627322080

I've asked if any SYN volunteers might be interested in DJing for the Refugee Week Celebrations, Fitzroy Wednesday 25 June, and I've given them my mobile and Maggie's landline.

Prospective disc-spinners will probably want to know more about when the music might be required, who'll be in the audience, what equipment will be set up, and how their work will need to fit in with other entertainers and speakers, etc.

Yarra Settlement Forum Minutes of Meeting March 25 Fitzroy Town Hall Chair Nelum Minutes Maggie
Present
Name	Organisation
Maggie Abdelmalak	North Yarra Community Health
Heather Stock	Fitzroy Learning Network
Colleen Duggen	Fitzroy Learning Network
Nelum Buddhadasa	City of Yarra
Chrisoula Kanaris	The New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre
Steve O'Malley	Metropolitan Fire Brigade
Julie Palmer	NMIT - YAMEC
Meg Johnston	NMIT YAMEC Volunteer
Jonathan Aitken	NYCH
Kerry Wise	Jesuit Social Services
Tim Watson	City of Yarra
Amira Rahmanovic	Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH)
Apologies
Collette Bacash	New Hope Migrant Refugee Centre
Richard Williams	JSS
Karyn Adams	JSS
Business
Nelum welcomed all attendees with an Acknowledgement of Country. Refugee Week 15 - 21st June. An organising committee be formed to plan event. - Maggie to convene meeting Date not yet confirmed.
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health - Amira Rahmanovic Provided background on organisation. Targets all women from CALD backgrounds - specially industry with high employment rates of CALD women, including hospitality and textiles Provide community workshop program - free Modules include: Sexual and Reproductive Health; Occupational Health and Safety; Mental Health and Well being; Drug and Alcohol; Gambling; Safe use of medicines; Financial 15 bilingual educators employed - some with medical backgrounds Sessions run over 6 workshops Folders containing translated materials provided 4 weeks notice for booking sessions preferred Cross-cultural training available at cost They have the 'largest' multilingual library in Victoria available to people who are members Community workshop sessions can be provided at ANY time of the day. Working Groups: Transitions: have continued to meet and are now establishing a clearer understanding of transitions impact from one benefit to another Youth: members of the Youth group presented at the 'Young people, crime and community safety: engagement and early intervention conference New Families: Agenda for next forum will include Driving School, Driving Program and Dinka School
Meeting Close

Cross-culture courses starting 1st May 08

Cross-cultural communicator training courses
Call for people working in their local community across Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond estates
8 weeks x 4 hours of ACCREDITED NMIT TRAINING plus an extra 20 hours volunteer community placement
Courses are free. Participants will receive a certificate at the end of training.

Thursday morning: 1 May – 18 June 08
OR Saturday morning: 3 May – 21 June 08

please contact Kerry Wise on 0447 338 033 or kerry.wise@jss.org.au

3ZZZ 92.3FM, Wednesday 9 April with Olivia & Murugi

Radio 3ZZZ 92.3 FM, Wednesday 9 April 2008, 7-8am

• Local agencies: What do they do?


• How can they use radio to publicise their projects/campaigns/programs?


• How can 3ZZZ encourage more guests and volunteers to get involved in 'Starting Out' and other innovative programs on 3ZZZ?

Jambo Australia!
This is Starting Out on radio 3ZZZ. On the program today ... (see details below). AND We want you! So please have a listen, and if you'd like to know more about getting involved please give us a call (phone 9415 1923) at the end of the program. (Repeat in Swahili.)

Draft schedule
All times are approximate & interviews are subject to change at any time.

7am: Introduction by Murugi & Olivia.

7:05: Phone interview with Colette Bacash, Settlement Support Worker, New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre, see http://www.nhf.org.au/Text/1096527700968-6170/About-the-NHMRC

Discus "Information Sessions for Newly Arrived African Women" e.g.

• 16 April: Health & Nutrition at AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College) Cromwell Street, Collingwood
• 23 April, Health & Nutrition, North Yarra Community Health Centre, 365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood (near Johnston Street).

7:15: About us; and any news from old friends.

7:30: Oxfam's Brendan Ross

The story behind Oxfam's recent Refugee Realities exhibition.

7:40: Ms Dee Basinski from VicHealth.

VicHealth runs many projects about Mental Health & WellbeingDiscrimination and Violence and the links between violence against women and mental health. To quote:

Intimate partner violence is responsible for more ill-health and premature death in Victorian women under the age of 45 than any other of the well-known risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity and smoking; 58% of the health impact experienced by women is anxiety and depression.

VicHealth has developed a public health model for the prevention ofviolence against women, which classifies interventions as primary, early intervention and intervention. More at: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Content.aspx?topicID=115

And also, to mark next week’s World Health Day (Monday 7 April), comedian Akmal Saleh and former Premier, Steve Bracks, will launch a TV commercial, that has been produced by the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (SMRC), featuring high profile celebrities and community leaders from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, as part of their Family Men Don’t do Family Violence campaign to prevent the incidence of family violence. Akmal Saleh said:

I've put my name and face to this campaign because I believe that hearing from other men, like me, that family violence is not on, will help the message get through. I’m often making jokes, but family violence is no laughing matter. The campaign title is true – family men don’t do family violence.

7:53: Ending.

What's coming up 'Starting Out' in two weeks?
Starting Out is sponsored by the City of Yarra.
Call us now: 9415 1923.

8.00: 3ZZZ Greek Youth program.

See also Yarra Settlement Forum blog

Yarra Settlement Forum February Minutes

Please click on title to be redirected to the minutes.

INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR NEWLY ARRIVED AFRICAN WOMEN

When: Every Wednesday from April 16 to June 4
Location: City of Yarra
Time: 12.00 - 2.00pm
Lunch Included

Sessions include information on:

· Health & Nutrition
· Finances & Budgeting
· Child & Family Safety
· Parenting
· Australian Law & Government


Date
Presentation
Location
16 April
Health & Nutrition

AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College)
Cromwell Street, Collingwood

23 April
Health & Nutrition
North Yarra Community Health Centre
365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood
(near Johnston Street)

30 April
Parenting
AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College)
Cromwell Street, Collingwood

7 May
Parenting
AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College)
Cromwell Street, Collingwood

14 May
Australian Laws
Neighbourhood Justice Centre
241 Wellington Street, Collingwood

21 May
Finances & Budgeting
AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College)
Cromwell Street, Collingwood

28 May
Child & Family Safety
Royal Children’s Hospital
Ella Latham Meeting Room
1st Floor, Flemington Road
Parkville

4 June
Understanding Australian Government
AMES Collingwood (Collingwood Secondary College)
Cromwell Street, Collingwood


This is a project of the New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre working in partnership with:

· AMES Collingwood
· City of Yarra
· Ecumenical Migration Centre
· Fitzroy Legal Centre
· Neighbourhood Justice Centre
· North Yarra Community Health Centre
· Royal Children’s Hospital
· Australian Lebanese Welfare Association

Colette Bacash Chrisoula Kanaris Elleni Beshe
9510 5877 9376 5244 9416 0044

BRIEFING PAPER ON TRAINING PATHWAYS FOR SETTLEMENT WORKERS

Dear All,

The attached paper has been prepared in the context of the release of the second draft of the revised National Community Services Training Package which, for the first time, contains units specifically designed for those working in the settlement sector.
It is intended to explain the relevance of the additions to the Training Package and encourage those working in this sector to become involved in the national consultations the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council will be running in February-March (see pages
24-25 for a list of dates, locations and participation details).
It would be great if you could use your networks to alert people to the consultation process and encourage them to either respond in writing (by 31st March) or participate in the industry consultations.

To help you to do this, I have attached:
* an updated version of the briefing paper we developed last year:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_26hn9bj5c3
-
this one incorporating the developments since then;
* a stand alone version of the ISC consultation schedule:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_26dk49tpfh

* the two new units relating to working with forced migrants:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_32grjfcsdv
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_30z59jrxgk

Regards,
Ramesh
Ramesh Kumar M
Manager, Settlement Services
AMES,
255 William Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9926 4604
Mobile: 0409 354 935
Fax: 9670 8573
www.ames.net.au

Fitzroy Learning Network - Refugee Support and Volunteer Coordinator

The Fitzroy Learning Network is a community based neighbourhood house that welcomes people from diverse educational, cultural and social backgrounds. We 'open doors to our community' by providing adult education programmes, youth programmes and a refugee support service.
We have a large active volunteer programme which supports our services.
We require an experienced full time coordinator to provide refugee support services and to manage the Network's volunteer programme. Good knowledge of community support services is essential, along with a degree in social work or community development.

For a position description and further information on the Fitzroy Learning Network, visit www.fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au or contact the Executive Officer on 9417 2897 or colleen@fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au.

Applications addressing the selection criteria outlined in the position description should be emailed or posted by 5.00 pm, 3 March 2008 to:

The Executive Officer, Fitzroy Learning Network, 198 Napier Street, Fitzroy 3065, colleen@fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au

Researchers for Asylum Seekers (ras.unimelb.edu.au) are co-sponsoring a free public lecture, at the University of Melbourne, Friday March 14, 2008.

Who are RAS?

The Researchers for Asylum Seekers (RAS) group is a voluntary and non-profit group concerned about the current treatment of asylum seekers in Australia. Officially affiliated within the School of Behavioural Science, University of Melbourne, RAS aims to raise awareness of the plight of asylum seekers through forums, conferences, research and the distribution of information on asylum seeker issues.

Lecture details

Title: Culture and Conflict: Cultures of War, Cultures of Peace
Speaker: Professor Anthony Marsella
Date: Friday 14 March 2008
Time: 2.15pm to 4pm
Venue: Sunderland Theatre, Medical Building, University of Melbourne

This public lecture is FREE!

Please RSVP to Sharon Fong, at the University of Melbourne, phone (03) 8344 6376.

About the Speaker

Anthony J. Marsella, Ph.D., D.H.C., is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Marsella has published 14 edited books and more than 190 book chapters, journal articles, and technical reports in the areas of cultural and international psychology and psychopathology. He received the International Advancement of Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1998, the International Psychologist of the Year Award from the International Division of APA in 2004, And the Asian-American Psychological Association President’s Award for lifetime contributions to Asian-American Psychology in 2004. In 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Copenhagen (Doctoris Honoris Causas) for his contributions to international peace and understanding. Today, Dr. Marsella serves as President of thePsychologists for Social Responsibility, an organization committed to peace through social justice.

In this lecture

Dr. Marsella will explore the relations between culture and conflict that emerge when parties with differing constructions of reality come into contention regarding the distribution of power, control, and influence, and the competition for identities, roles, and economic, political, and religious needs. While differences in the construction of reality do not necessarily mean conflict, and while conflict does not necessarily lead to violence, differences in the construction of reality that are codified and asserted in unassailable belief systems and group policies often elicits and sustains violence and war. Building on this framework, and adding to it the influences of history, cultural ethoses, and national myths, the presentation then explores the forces involved in creating and supporting cultures of war, and the forces that are necessary for creating and supporting cultures of peace.

YSF News for February

Yarra Settlement Forum Planning Day Notes and

February Agenda

Agenda:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_242vrkr97c

Planning Day Notes:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfxrms2t_23hn38x5gw

Please advise of any additions to the aganda or comments to the planning day notes by posting to the comments section below.

See you all at the Forum...

Maggie