Community engagement, research and consultation are central to the Victorian Multicultural Commission's functions.
We host roundtables and forums to gather ideas and insights from Victoria’s diverse communities.
We also do research to support the advice we provide to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs on the needs of Victoria's diverse communities.
Meet Me in the Middle
Date: November 2020
The Victorian Multicultural Commission commissioned a report centred around youth employment, with a particular focus on exploring insights directly from multicultural young people.
COVID-19 disrupted the Australian and global economies significantly, with data showing young Victorians are most affected by this economic downturn. With young people from multicultural communities already facing additional barriers in relation to the employment market, the pandemic has increased their risk of disengagement due to a contracting Victorian economy.
The report highlights the challenges and opportunities confronting young people from multicultural backgrounds within the current and post COVID-19 Victorian employment market.
Further, the report identifies opportunities for targeted supports that can assist young people from multicultural backgrounds in obtaining meaningful and sustainable employment in the future.
Women's Voices Guiding Our Future
Date: August 2017
A report on the Victorian Multicultural Commission Community Forums for Women in April to June 2015. We ran 8 regional forums in Sunshine, Bendigo, Central Melbourne, Broadmeadows, Preston, Frankston, Narre Warren and Geelong.
Discussion topics included:
- employment
- discrimination and bias
- leadership and advocacy
- access to services
Social Cohesion in Bendigo
Date: December 2016
We contracted La Trobe University to produce an investigation into the anti-mosque and anti-Islam and anti-racism protests in Bendigo. The protests attracted international attention and highlighted national debates about safety, security, multiculturalism and Australian identity.
A Settlement Journey: Learnings from Canada and the USA
Date: October 2016
Our Chairperson travelled to Canada and the United States to investigate international best-practice in refugee settlement programs. This report summarises the programs explored on this trip through discussions and observations with government officials, academics and members of the community into 7 themes.
Understanding Social Cohesion in Shepparton and Mildura
Date: November 2015
The Victorian Multicultural Commission funded La Trobe University to examine the multicultural contexts of Shepparton and Mildura and measure the strength of social cohesion in these areas. The report found that:
- actively engage in multicultural contexts
- community members reach across cultural differences in everyday life
- there is still further work to be done to develop social cohesion in these Victorian regions
Strengthening Social Cohesion: Meeting Community Needs
Date: May 2015
We hosted forums with community and health service providers and peak bodies during April and May 2015 to discuss:
- funding and partnerships
- cultural awareness
- leadership initiatives
- employment initiatives
- challenges of family violence and discrimination and bias
Understanding and use of Power of Attorney in Victoria's CALD communities
Date: July 2015
The Department of Justice asked us to get feedback from multicultural communities on Powers of Attorney Legislation.
Engaging Our Youth: Our Future
Date: June 2015
From December 2014 to June 2015 the Victorian Multicultural Commission conducted forums for young people at metropolitan and regional locations:
- metro west (Flemington/Footscray)
- Mill Park
- Morwell
- Ballarat
- Shepparton
- Dandenong
- Broadmeadows
- Truganina
- Sunshine
- Carrum Downs
Participants people told us about the things that matter to them and shared their ideas about multiculturalism. Our findings have been used by the Victorian Office for Youth and not-for-profit organisations to inform policy and programs aimed at building the capacity of young people from culturally diverse backgrounds in Victoria.
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