Diversity in Politics photoset 10 Nov 2011

Diversity in Politics , a set on Flickr.

Berhan Ahmed on SBS Radio World News Australia

Also as part of the Diversity, Political Participation and Citizenship public panel, Dr Berhan Ahmed was interviewed by SBS World News Australia's Kristina Kukolja. See here.

Don Nakanashi on ABC Radio's Connect Asia

As part of the Diversity, Political Participation and Citizenship public panel, Professor Don Nakanishi was interviewed for ABC Radio's Connect Asia program by Sen Lam. You can find a copy of the podcast here. You'll find Don's interview as '11/11/2011 Part 2' under 'Listen to the Latest Program'.

Thanks

The community panel was a great success. Thanks to the speakers, PJ who did a marvelous job, and everyone who came or supported the event on social media!

Thanks also to everyone who was involved in making it possible especially Amadeo Marquez-Perez, Owen Leong, Lian Low, Kieran Ruffles and Amanda Magnano. Thanks Indi, Tom, Wesa and my bro. Thanks to the whole conference crew who were super helpful. Amongst the organisers I obviously must mention Audrey Yue, Tseen Khoo and David Crouch.

I will post photos soon. There is some video footage in the making as well. I will report about that later.

Diversity in politics reflects the health of our democracy, says Peta-Jane

Peta-Jane has graciously shared some comments about what she hopes to get out of the public panel tomorrow.

"We've become so side-tracked by the quirks of a hung parliament, that encouraging greater diversity in our political process has taken a back seat.”

“I don't just mean in terms of increasing our ethnic diversity, but also gender, sexuality, and representation in age too. Where one in four Australians are born overseas, more than half of our population is female, and the average age is 37, I can understand people who question why our political representatives do not reflect who we are as a nation.”

“At the moment there is so much ‘uncivil’ debate in Australian public life. I think most Australians have a hunger for a kinder, more inclusive society and for forums that allow us to step back and recognise we are part of the same political community. I’m hoping our panel can explore another dimension of how our democracy can be deepened,” she stated.

Dai Le interviewed by SBS's PJ Madam - March 2011

In the lead up to the NSW state election Dai Le was interviewed by SBS's PJ Madam regarding her experiences as a boat person and the Liberal Party's attitude to refugees. See below.

'Refugees are welcome here!' RAC Vic Protest - Sat 5 Nov 2011

Refugee Action Collective VIC held a rally and march on Saturday 5 Nov 2011 demanding an end to mandatory detention and offshore processing. Dr Berhan Ahmed spoke at the rally. Follow the link for photos and a report.

Senator Tchen Tsebin on multiculturalism

Before leaving the Federal Senate in 2005, Senator Bin Tchen had some pointed comments about the History Wars and the contribution of a certain historian Keith Windschuttle in relation to the significance of multiculturalism. His comments in Hansard are available here.

SBS Seven Billion Stories special program

Check out the SBS special on Seven Billion Stories, presented by our panel MC Peta-Jane Madam here! A shorter version below...

How to find the Panel

The panel is being held at the Wood Theatre in the Arts West Building at the University of Melbourne on 10 Nov 2011 3:30pm. If you are arriving by car, the closest drop off point is the intersection between Royal Parade and Genetics Lane. If you are arriving by public transport from the city, catch the Route 19 North Coburg tram and get off at Stop 10 on Royal Parade, which is next to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. From Royal Parade, the Arts West building is behind the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and the Genetics Building.

For more details, have a look at the map below:

Arena Journal launch with Adam Bandt - 27 October 2011

Launch for Arena Journal no. 35/36 and the book Changing the Climate: Utopia, Dystopia and Catastrophe by Adam Bandt, MP for Melbourne.

Thursday 27 October 2011 at 6pm at the Arena Project Space, 2 Kerr Street Fitzroy.

More info about the event here.

Last chance to register for the 2011 Dragon Tails conference!

Last chance to register for the 2011 Dragon Tails conference!

Come and be part of discussions about current and future directions in Chinese Australian history and heritage at Dragon Tails 2011: sources, language, approaches, the second Australasian conference on overseas Chinese history & heritage, to be held at the Museum of Chinese Australian History, Melbourne, Australia on 11–13 November 2011.

Registrations close Friday 28 October. Register online: http://dragontails.com.au/registration-form/

Celebrating multicultural diversity in Sydney’s west

On Monday 24 October 2011, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration will visit Parramatta to hear about multiculturalism and productive diversity in Sydney’s west. The Committee’s public hearing will be held at:

The Seminar Room, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre

346A Church Street, Parramatta, commencing at 10.15am.

The Committee Chair Ms Maria Vamvakinou stated: “Parramatta is the capital of New South Wales’ vibrant and productive Indian community. The city is known for its annual South East Asian Arts Parramasala Festival and for its famous ‘Eat Street’ of international cuisines, a host location to this year’s Crave Sydney International Food Festival."

Just as background to the visit, on 9 February 2011, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration accepted terms of reference to inquire into the economic, social and cultural impacts of migration and make recommendations to maximise the positive benefits of migration.

The Joint Committee is yet to deliver its findings, but you can read and watch more about the Inquiry here! There's also a great program by About the House magazine on South Australian humanitarian resettlement programs here.

Registrations open for Asian Australian Film Forum 12-13 Nov 2011!

The Asian Australian Film Forum 12-13 Nov is shaping up as a great follow up to the AAI4 'New Communities, New Racisms' conference. It is screening some great Asian Australian shorts and features, and a fantastic line-up of speakers that includes PJ Madam.

Guests are encouraged to register to book a seat. Take a look at the website for more details.

Anti racism reports released after thirteen years of suppression

From Professor Andrew Jakubowicz and the Institute of Cultural Diversity:

Anti racism reports released after thirteen years of suppression

Panel update - Introducing Dr Berhan Ahmed

We've also been recently informed that The Hon Adam Bandt is snowed under with parliamentary work on November 10. We thank him and his office for their support for the panel.

We are however very fortunate to have another distinguished guest to add. Dr Berhan Ahmed was Victoria's candidate for 2009 Australian of the Year and in 2004 was the first African Australian in history to stand for the Australian Parliament. He is an Eritrean Australian community leader and chairperson of the African Think Tank Inc. We very much welcome Dr Berhan to the panel, and thank him for his time.

Earlier this year Dr Ahmed made important statements about the similarity of racisms faced by both African and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Dr Ahmed's community work provides Australians from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds the opportunity to think about our shared responsibilities to one another, and how racism in all its manifestations can be challenged and defeated.

Maria Vamvakinou on Multiculturalism

The Hon Maria Vamvakinou is the Federal member for Calwell and a champion of multiculturalism and its legacy in Australia. On 18 October 2010 she made an important statement before Federal Parliament about the need to legislatively enshrine multiculturalism as social policy. You can read her speech here.

Panel update - Introducing Prof Don Nakanishi

Due to changes in the Federal Parliamentary sitting schedule, Senator Lisa Singh has unfortunately had to pull out of the panel in November. We thank her for her interest and support for the Asian Australian Identities 4 conference.

We are however very glad to announce another speaker for the panel. Professor Don Nakanishi will be joining us from the United States, where he was Professor Emeritus (1994-2009) and the Director of UCLA's Asian American Studies Centre (1990-2010). Don was responsible for ground-breaking work in the field of Asian American political studies, including launching the National Asian Pacific American Political Almanac in 1976. We thank Don immensely for making himself available for the conference and our event.

More about Don's background can be read here. Below is a clip of Don talking about the 40th anniversary of UCLA's Asian American Studies Centre.

Democratic Audit's Challenges of Electoral Democracy workshop

The Democratic Audit of Australia and the Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology, convened a workshop in July 2011 on the 'Challenges of Electoral Democracy'. The papers from this workshop are being hosted here.

Greens call for Abbott to take action on Bernardi

Greens call for Abbott to take action on Bernardi

Senator Lisa Singh's first speech

Sworn into the Federal Senate in July 2011, Senator Lisa Singh delivered her first speech on 16 August. Her speech envisions a more diverse and representative Australian Parliament. Many thanks to the Department of the Senate and their web publisher Matthew Smith for making this available here. It can also be seen or read here.

Integration: Building Inclusive Societies Forum 7 Oct 2011

The UN Alliance of Civilizations and the Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation are presenting the Integration: Building Inclusive Societies Forum on 7 October 2011 to be held at Melbourne Town Hall. For more information, see here.

First blog

News and updates about the event will be posted here, as well as articles and materials around this topic. Come back and check it out.