RCAA – Page 3 – Refugee Communities Association of Australia

RCAA Launches its New South Wales Chapter and Celebrates Refugee Week 2024 at the Parliament House of NSW

July 14, 2024 Media Release by RCAA

On Friday 21 June 2024, the Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) launched its New South Wales (NSW) Chapter and celebrated Refugee Week 2024 at the Parliament House of NSW in Sydney. RCAA is membership based, independent refugee-led peak national advocacy organisation. RCAA works closely with people of lived experiences to empower the voice of grassroot refugee communities and people seeking asylum to build their capacity to successfully settle in Australia. The RCAA NSW Chapter Launch, and the Refugee Week 2024 celebration was opened by Hon Stephen Kampar MP, Minister for Multiculturalism, Minister for Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, and Minister for Sport. It was a time for many Australian with refugee lived experience to reflect on the journeys, struggles and triumphs of those who fled their homes to start new life in unfamiliar lands. Hon Kampar said, “it is a time we must remind ourselves the many qualities refugees possess, which is courage, strength, determination, resilience and perseverance”. While addressing the launch, the Minister said, “It is not just a milestone but a call to collaborate and call to unity for Australian with lived experience to respond to their issues”. “RCAA has shown itself to be effective voice for refugees and advocate their rights. The NSW Chapter is a welcome addition to our state’s families and groups to support refugees. I look forward to working closely with new chapter for RCAA to benefit refugee communities in our state.” Said Hon Kampar. Hon Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra welcome RCAA to NSW and acknowledged the work of RCAA during COVID-19. He said, “in the depth of COVID-19, RCAA delivered 20 tons of food and supplies to refugee communities and international students, most of which is donated by Vietnamese refugees speaks itself of refugees living with refugees and looking after refugees is what exactly RCAA is about”. Hon Kampar and Hon Julian acknowledged Nasiba Akram OAM for her exceptional contribution to Australia since arriving as a refugee from Afghanistan in the resettlement of refugees and broader humanitarian work in Australia.” RCAA acknowledge the invaluable support and guidance provided by Joseph La Posta, CEO Multicultural NSW for the NSW Chapter Launch and look forward to continued collaboration with Multicultural NSW to support refugee communities in NSW. RCAA commends the NSW Government for its historic investment of $85 million towards building social cohesion and supporting multicultural communities in the 2024-25 NSW Budget. RCAA Chairperson, Parsu Sharma Luital JP said, “RCAA was established to amplify the voice of refugees with the motto to work “For Refugees, With Refugees, By Refugees”. For too long, refugees have been represented by agencies that have limited understanding of refugee experience and needs”. This includes decisions making, program design and delivery,” Said Mr Luital. Speaking at the launch, RCAA Deputy Chairperson Nasiba Akram OAM said, “the launch of the RCAA NSW Chapter represents a significant milestone for grassroots initiatives within refugee communities in NSW. It provides a platform for advocacy, support, and community-building, addressing the needs and challenges faced by refugees in the region.” RCAA works with government agencies at all levels by developing effective consultation and collaboration mechanisms and partners with peak bodies, settlement services, and stakeholders in other states and territories in supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. To conclude the launch and Refugee Week 2024 celebration, RCAA hosted a dinner at the Thornleigh Community Centre in Thornleigh attended by over 150 community leaders and community members. The launch was attended by RCAA members from NSW, supporters and RCAA board members from other states and territories. For more information, contact RCAA spokesperson Parsu Sharma Luital JP on 0412 265 317 or by email: [email protected]

RCAA Conference 2023 Report

June 15, 2024 Reports by RCAA

The inaugural Annual Conference of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia Inc (RCAA), held on September 20-21, 2023, was convened under the theme ‘Building on the Foundation of Lived Experiences.’ This landmark Conference brought together refugee communities to initiate ongoing dialogues, share insights, and enhance the capacity of those with direct experiences to realise RCAA’s vision. By centring refugee narratives and lived perspectives, the event created opportunities to build skills, amplify voices, and drive participatory agendas within refugee communities. Furthermore, connections with partners allowed RCAA to align objectives and strengthen partnerships. Guided by RCAA’s vision of integrated, vibrant refugee communities within a cohesive society, the Conference facilitated continuing exchanges, learnings, and collaborations across stakeholders. The two-day Conference convened over 260 delegates daily, representing a diverse range comprising settlement providers, community leaders, academics, and government officials, with majority representation from refugee backgrounds. Participation spanned over 40 diverse communities, including over 60 presidents and heads of refugee communities along with their leadership. Attendees included representatives from Victoria, other Australian states, and territories, as well as international delegates. Among the delegates were 40 fully sponsored interstate representatives from refugee backgrounds as well as new and emerging communities, whose participation RCAA supported through over 80 scholarships to community organizations needing financial assistance. The RCAA Gala Dinner attracted 275 guests, including Members of Parliament, faith and community leaders, and international delegates. Generous financial support for the conference came from over 50 organisations including government agencies, service providers, community groups, sporting bodies, and refugee enterprises. The culmination of wide-ranging participation and support underscored the inclusive vision steering this landmark event. Over the two days 70 speakers joined the panel discussions, presenting on the lived experience journey of refugees, their contribution to Australia and positive stories of collaboration and partnership in the fields of business, sports, and community service. Throughout the Conference, discussions reiterated the importance of policies co-created with refugees, emphasising the need to move beyond symbolic gestures toward genuine inclusivity. Key themes included ethical storytelling, gender-inclusive programming, and grassroots advocacy, advocating for substantive action to support refugees’ meaningful integration into Australian society. The Conference set a transformative agenda, calling for tangible actions to bridge gaps between rhetoric and implementation. The aim is to create a more inclusive and equitable society for refugees and migrants in Australia, where policies and practices are collaboratively designed to genuinely uplift and integrate refugee communities.

RCAA Australian Citizenship Ceremony and World Refugee Day 2023

June 23, 2023 Media Release by RCAA

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]