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].