Page 4278 - Week 13 - Thursday, 19 November 2015

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success of our multicultural project is reflected every day in the friendships and community that we share against the backdrop of our different experiences and backgrounds. But the harmony we know in this community has not come without work, and as a government and a community we have a duty to be vigilant against racism and intolerance.

As a government, we know that the tolerance we aspire to is built through education, through laws that protect all and through communities that are empowered to embrace the diversity of our experiences. This is why I am glad to have seen the ACT multicultural framework and action plan for 2015-20 developed through an extensive consultation process that engaged the whole community. That process drew on the collective ideas and initiatives provided by hundreds of people across the capital: everyday Canberrans as well as community leaders and members of our business community and government. Coming together brings out surprising, innovative and exciting ideas, and I would like to take the chance to thank everyone who participated in the consultation process.

The creativity and inspiration reflected from the consultation process is well reflected in the framework and action plan documents. The plan is built around three broad themes: supporting our multicultural communities, providing the tools and resources for all Canberrans to reach their full potential, and ensuring that all can benefit from the fruits of our rich and vibrant cultural diversity.

At the core of these themes is the intention over the next five years to further increase the level of participation and community connection in the capital by strengthening the fabric of our culturally diverse way of life. This will be achieved through the first action plan. As the enabling component of the multicultural framework, the first action plan has been crafted to clearly express the guiding principles that will shape and influence our strategic outcomes, allowing for an accurate measurement of the effectiveness and quality of our programs and services to the ACT multicultural community. The framework and first action plan will also provide guidance to ACT government agencies by enabling them to deliver more effective services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This will also enable the ACT government to promote a more inclusive and harmonious community for all Canberrans.

The framework is a guidance document that has been carefully crafted through extensive consultation. It expresses the government’s and the community’s priorities and directions for multicultural affairs over the next five years and builds on a strong history of engagement.

Indeed, Canberra’s multicultural journey has evolved over many decades. Successive ACT governments have worked in a collaborative and productive partnership with Canberra’s multicultural communities and the wider community to nurture and develop the solid foundations of cultural diversity and cultural celebration within our community. Our schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, community centres, clubs and community events all radiate the strong spirit, social values and message of cultural diversity, harmony and understanding.


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