The Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA) today welcomed 150 new citizens from 42 countries from across Melbourne as they took their Pledge of Commitment at the Special Australian Citizenship Ceremony to celebrate the World Refugee Day 2023. Hosted in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs at the Springvale Town Hall, the occasion displayed cultural performances from refugee communities to welcome new citizens, supported by 300 well-wishers and family members as they took the Pledge. The ceremony was held on World Refugee Day with the theme “Hope Away From Home – a world where refugees are always included”, designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. It’s an international day designated by the United Nations to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. Ms. Zoe Williams, Regional Director for Victoria and Tasmania, Department of Home Affairs presided the citizenship ceremony on behalf of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Andrew Giles MP. Many dignitaries, community leaders and local business who supported the event attended and spoke at the event including the Cr Eden Foster, Mayor of City of Greater Dandenong, Ms. Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms. Kate O’Malley, Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR Canberra, Cr Richard Lim OAM and Adiba Ganji, young Afghan Women National Soccer Player. RCAA Chairperson, Parsu Sharma Luital JP said “Becoming an Australian citizen is an important step that shows commitment to this country. On behalf of RCAA, we welcome these new citizens, many of whom arrived here as refugees having endured many hardships along the way”. “Refugees are not victims but survivors and fighters, he said. “they’re strong and resilient. They don’t want charity, they want opportunity. We welcome newest citizens and wish them all the best for their new journey as citizens in Australia”. Addressing the new citizens Nasiba Akram, RCAA Deputy Chairperson said “We encourage all residents in our community to join in celebrating World Refugee Day. Today, I am proud to be part of a society that affords opportunity and equality to every individual.” Vivienne Nguyen AM, while presenting the Citizenship Certificates said the audience that becoming a citizen was a reminder that we all have a responsibility to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and cohesive Multicultural Victoria. RCAA also invited refugees, refugee communities and their supporters to register for their inaugural conference to be held in Melbourne on 20-21 September 2023. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]

The Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) congratulates Elijah Buol OAM on his election as the first youngest Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) on 24 November 2022 in Brisbane. RCAA and members of refugee communities are proud of Elijah’s election as the Chairperson of ECCQ. Elijah is the General Secretary in the RCAA National Executive Board. Over the years, Elijah demonstrated leadership skills with passion and commitment to bring changes in the lives of people with lived experiences and most unfortunate ones. As a former Executive Director of RCAA, Elijah led the COVID-19 Taskforce and Emergency Food Relief during the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria. Chairperson of RCAA, Parsu Sharma-Luital JP said, “Knowing Elijah and his passion for serving the multicultural communities, I am proud of his achievement and the trust bestowed on him by the members of ECCQ. Australia’s multiculturalism has become icon of the world and provided meaningful opportunities for migrants and refugees to contribute and participate in the social and economic development of Australia. Elijah’s election as the Chairperson is another testimony that our multiculturalism is heading in the path of inclusion, belonging and cohesive society.” “Contribution of Ethnic Communities Councils in Australia has played the backbone role in shaping our multiculturalism in Australia today, and Elijah’s leadership will further amply the voice of our new and emerging communities, refugees, and migrants,” said Sharma Luital JP. Bwe Thay- RCAA Advisor said, “Elijah’s election as chairperson brings a wealth of experience, grassroot knowledge, and valuable contributions to achieving the vision of ECCQ and looking forward to working with him.” Elijah Buol OAM said, “I am always humbled to serve our multicultural communities and amplify their voices and strengthen a true reflection of a diverse and multicultural Australia.” RCAA aims is to empower refugee communities across Australia, enabling them to take active roles in Australia. With the motto led for refugee, with refugee, by refugee and with the vision to provide a voice for refugees with the lived experience, RCAA prides itself in grassroot engagement and empowerment for refugee communities and their members to successfully settle and integration in Australia. For more information, please kindly contact RCAA Chairperson, Parsu Sharma-Luital JP on 0412265317 or [email protected].

On 23 July 2022: The Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and community consultation at Salisbury City Centre Community Hub, South Australia. RCAA is an independent refugee-led peak national advocacy organisation providing a unified voice for people with a lived refugee experience in Australia. The AGM elected Mr Parsu Sharma-Luital JP as new Chairperson and Executive Committee members. Chairperson Mr Sharma-Luital said, “the Executive Committee bring a wealth of experience to the RCAA board and are valuable contributors to achieving the goals of RCAA and looking forward to working with them. I am humbled to serve our refugee communities to amplify and represent their voice at all levels of government, service agencies and advocacy bodies.” RCAA Board and members thank outgoing Chairperson, Mr Juma Piri Piri for his outstanding leadership and commitment to advance the voices refugee and migrants communities over the last two years and wish him well in his new role as Honorary Chairperson. Mr Huss Mustafa OAM said “Parsu is a passionate advocate of refugees, and I am sure you will serve RCAA exceptionally well and I extend my sincere congratulations to Parsu on being elected to Chairperson. Today, Australia is the 13th largest economy in the world, and I strongly believe that this success is attributable to the millions of refugees and migrants that call Australia their home and make it the most successful multicultural nation in the World.” “As the Deputy Chair of RCAA, I feel proud to be part of the RCAA board and make my contribution to the Australian community. I welcome Parsu as new Chairperson for his active role to serve the voice of refugees, and able to reach out refugees in need at all times.” said Ms Akram. Mr Kamal Dahal said, “I am very proud to host the RCAA AGM in South Australia and join the new team to contribute as Australia has given me opportunity and I feel that it is an obligation for all of us to give back and empower other fellow refugees and migrants.” RCAA aims is to empower refugee communities across Australia, enabling them to take active roles in Australia. With the motto led for refugee, with refugee, by refugee and with the vision to provide a voice for refugees with the lived experience, RCAA prides itself in grassroot engagement and empowerment for refugee communities and their members to successfully settle and integration in Australia. The RCAA Executive Board members elected and declared are: Mr Parsu Sharma Luital JP- Chairperson Mr Elijah Buol OAM- General Secretary Mr Kamal Dahal- Treasurer Ms Nasiba Akram- Deputy Chairperson Ms Dalal Samaan- Executive Committee Mr Huss Mustafa OAM- Patron and Executive Committee Mr Juma Piri Piri- Honorary Chairperson Ms Pampha Bhujel- Executive Committee Ms Tanya Kaplan OAM- Executive Committee Ms Khin Khin Soe- Executive Committee For more information, please kindly contact RCAA spokesperson Elijah Buol OAM on 0423040875 or [email protected].