New program brings diversity into focus
Source: Australia. Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services. Media Release.
"The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, will launch a new program to support communities in their efforts to address cultural, racial and religious intolerance. Mr Ferguson said the new Diverse Australia Program has an increased focus on addressing issues of intolerance with more funding directed to areas of need. The program will provide funding support to local groups and organisations to tackle issues specific to each community while promoting respect and fairness. ‘Last year I asked the department to take a fresh look at the previous Living in Harmony program which had been operating for ten years. I wanted to ensure we were taking the best possible approach to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity’ Mr Ferguson said.
Key elements of the new program include:
* a small grants scheme of up to $5000 which will extend the reach of activities and help build the capacity of small organisations to address community needs; and
* ongoing year round funding to increase responsiveness to emerging issues of intolerance when communities identify a need."