The Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) online on 24 April 2025, bringing together members to elect a new Executive Committee (EC). RCAA is an independent, refugee-led peak national advocacy organisation, providing a unified voice for individuals with lived refugee experiences in Australia. Guided by the principle “For Refugees, With Refugees, By Refugees,” RCAA represents the authentic voice of grassroots refugee communities across all states and territories, ensuring local needs and issues are met within a coordinated national framework. RCAA congratulates all newly elected office bearers and EC members on their commitment to serving refugee communities. At the AGM, Parsu Sharma-Luital JP was elected Chairperson for a second term. Mr Sharma-Luital said, “I am deeply humbled and sincerely grateful for the trust placed in me to serve as Chairperson once again alongside the newly elected EC members who bring extensive knowledge and lived experience of grassroots communities. I look forward to working with the new team to amplify the voices of grassroots refugee communities, our supporters and stakeholders.” Reflecting on RCAA’s achievements, Mr Sharma-Luital added, “I am proud of RCAA’s leadership in delivering the ‘2023 Inaugural RCAA National Conference: Building on the Foundation of Lived Experiences,’ as well as the recognition and granting of DGR Status for RCAA Foundation Ltd by the Australian government.” RCAA would like to thank Ms Catherine Scarth, Chief Executive Officer of AMES Australia, for conducting the AGM as the Returning Officer and for her ongoing support and mentorship since its establishment. Speaking at the AGM, Ms Iryna Kushnir, a newly arrived refugee in Cairns, shared her challenging journey to Australia from war-torn Ukraine. Ms Kushnir said, “I arrived in Australia without knowing how to read or speak English. Today, I am honoured to work in the local Council, and I am deeply grateful to the Australian government and the people of Australia for welcoming me. Given the opportunity, refugees contribute significantly to Australia’s social and economic development, and I am proud to be a small part of this.” Newly elected RCAA Deputy Chair, Ms Dalal Samaan expressed, “I am honoured to be part of the RCAA team, working alongside Chairperson Parsu, who has tirelessly contributed to the organisation’s development at all levels. More than ever, we must empower and amplify the voices of refugees with lived experience, who are often left behind, while strengthening their connections with the wider Australian society.” Mr Sharma-Luital thanked the previous EC members for their service and their commitment to RCAA. He also acknowledged the contribution of RCAA’s State Chapter coordinators for their continued hard work and dedication and looks forward to working with them. Newly Elected RCAA Executive Committee Members: Mr Parsu Sharma-Luital JP – Chairperson Ms Dalal Samaan – Deputy Chairperson Mr Elijah Buol OAM – General Secretary Mr Kamal Dahal – Treasurer Mr Altaf Hussein – Executive Member Ms Khin Khin Soe – Executive Member Ms Pampha Bhujel – Executive Member For further information, please contact RCAA spokesperson, Elijah Buol OAM at 0423 040 875 or [email protected].

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]

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]