“The world today is changing faster than ever. Conflicts, climate change and crises can displace anyone, anywhere. None of us should take our safety or stability for granted. That’s why it is so important to put ourselves in other’s shoes, to see humanity beyond borders, and to build bridges instead of fences”.

For Razia Muradi, these aren’t just abstract words. They define her lived experience.

SSI is pleased to partner with the Metropolis International Migration Network to deliver the inaugural Metropolis Mentoring Program Pilot — an initiative connecting emerging leaders in migration and settlement with experienced professionals across government, community organisations, and academia.

SSI’s global engagement in refugee protection recognises that durable solutions require cross-border collaboration, capacity building, and innovative pathways.

Meaningful impact isn’t created in isolation. It happens when we listen, learn, and act alongside the communities we serve.

In a time of growing global displacement and complex protection challenges, collaboration is more critical than ever. SSI’s International team recently brought together sector leaders, advocates, and community representatives for a Speaker Series event, Advancing Global Solutions for Refugee Protection.

Though she never set out to build a career in music, Chilian-born singer and songwriter Magdalena Mira found herself drawn back to it time and again. Each step, shaped by chance and connection, brought her closer to where she is today.

In 2024, that path led her to join SSI’s delegation to the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA). Each year SSI supports women from diverse backgrounds to take part in the conference and awards, offering opportunities to connect, learn, and be recognised. For Magdalena, the invitation came from a close friend and opened the door to an experience that was both empowering and transformative.

“Sandra convinced me to apply, and I thought, why not? When I was selected, it felt like such a gift,” Magdalena said.

Sandra Morales was a finalist in the SSI Diversity Award in 2024. Her encouragement gave Magdalena the confidence to apply for the delegation – something she admits she would never have done on her own.

Magdalena’s path into music was not linear. She studied music at school, but it wasn’t until life experiences and relationships drew her back to performing that she found herself committed to it.

Raising children meant she stepped away for several years, but when she returned, she came back with more passion than ever before. She formed an Afro-Peruvian band, performed at venues across Sydney, and decided she wanted to pursue music full time.

“Music has always found me. Even when I took a break, it called me back. Now I just want to keep doing it,” she said.

For Magdalena, the highlight of being part of the SSI delegation was the connection with other women. She speaks warmly of the friendships formed with fellow artists and the sense of belonging that grew from their shared experiences.

“The best part was our little crew. We supported each other, laughed, connected, and had the kind of conversations that stay with you. It was such a beautiful experience,” she said.

The delegation gave Magdalena access to industry leaders and valuable networking opportunities, but what stood out most for her was how genuine the connections felt. The professional insights were powerful, and the support of the group made the experience even more meaningful.

“I learned to stay authentic. Watching other women give their all to their music reminded me that being true to yourself is what matters most. That’s the only way to sustain a career and a life in music.”

Magdalena believes events like AWMA play a vital role in giving visibility to women in music, especially those from diverse backgrounds. The conference offered her exposure to people she would never otherwise have met, and a chance to see how the industry works in Australia.

She also recognised the importance of collective strength.

“When women come together with authenticity, they create real strength. That’s why events like AWMA matter. With their influence, they hold a responsibility to lift up diverse women in music and ensure their stories are seen and heard.”

Since AWMA, Magdalena continues to perform and create music. The lessons from the delegation – about authenticity, resilience, and community remain part of her approach to her career.

She keeps in touch with some of the artists she met, follows their journeys and celebrates their achievements.

Reflecting on the experience, she hopes more women take the chance to be part of future delegations.

“If I could give advice, it would be to just be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. Your voice and your story are enough.”

When her son was diagnosed with a speech delay disorder and began receiving NDIS-funded therapies, Rabia found herself navigating not only unfamiliar systems, but also the cultural silence that surrounded disability in her community.

“If I would have been in Pakistan, I can’t talk about this,” said Rabia.

“Everybody has their own concept of what disability is to them, it’s a stigma and especially from the community I am in, it’s like a taboo. We can’t talk about this.”

This silence makes it difficult for families like hers to speak openly, ask for help, or advocate for support.

Before becoming involved in The Rights Path Project, Rabia didn’t fully understand her rights or the role she could play in supporting others. As a Lived Experience Consultant for the project, she contributed her personal perspective and community insights to help shape culturally responsive, in-language resources about participants’ rights under the NDIS and how to advocate for services and supports.

“I didn’t know my rights. But after getting involved in this project, I got to know myself,” said Rabia.

“I identified myself. My skills, my hidden potential. I asked myself, “What can I do?” I can speak. I can share my opinion. I can raise awareness.”

Rabia learned how to navigate the NDIS, what to expect from providers, and how to raise concerns, and gained the confidence to speak up.

Since participating in the project, Rabia has become someone others turn to for support. She speaks to families from her community who are facing similar challenges, many of whom felt they had no one to talk to about their NDIS journey or their child’s diagnosis. Her openness has encouraged others to speak up, ask questions, and understand their rights.

“I can be trusted, and people are trusting me,” said Rabia.

“I learnt that our community needs us and what I have learnt in this project is that I can share it with my community. I can share knowledge; I can share my experience. I can share what I have learned. I can spread the word.”

Now the resources are available, Rabia sees this as a new beginning. She’s continuing to raise awareness and create safe spaces for others to talk about disability without shame.

• The resources we’ve created are a helpful guide for anyone facing similar issues.  

• The videos encourage people to speak up and highlight the importance of advocacy and self-advocacy in the NDIS system.  

• They empower individuals to understand their rights and the steps to take when problems arise.  

• Even if someone doesn’t have a support coordinator or can’t reach one, the simple five-step guide in the fact sheet will help them advocate for themselves.  

• It’s essential that these resources are available in community languages, so language barriers don’t stop people from understanding how to file a complaint.  

• The community education workshops will also be a great help for those who need additional support. 

When Jess Shelton joined Ballarat Community Health (BCH) two years ago, she inherited an existing cultural training module – one that wasn’t hitting the mark.

“It was long, wordy and not engaging. Out of the 250 staff we assigned it to, only 20 completed it in two years,” Jess said.

Determined to find something that would be truly meaningful, Jess went searching. A simple Google search led her to SSI’s Diversity Training, and it changed everything.

“As soon as I tried the free module sample, I knew this was different. It was interactive, relevant, and most importantly, it’s tailored to healthcare,” she said.

Since switching to SSI’s training, the shift has been immediate and measurable. In just two weeks, 40 staff members had completed the training – double the number who had done the previous course over two years.

Training that connects with people and practice.

Ballarat Community Health provides inclusive, bulk-billed health services to people in the Ballarat region, many from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Their staff need more than a surface-level understanding of inclusion. They need depth, empathy and cultural insight.

“We needed something more than a tick-box exercise,” Jess explained. “Our community is diverse, and so are the challenges people face when it comes to accessing healthcare. To respond to that, our staff need real training that speaks to lived experiences and systemic barriers.”

What stood out most about SSI’s training was its interactivity, sector-specific content and human focus. Jess also praised the learning design, which delivers high-impact education in a short timeframe, a key factor in a busy healthcare environment.

“The training is only 30 minutes, but it’s packed with depth. It’s bright, engaging and speaks to real scenarios our staff deal with every day.”

Making real change. Not just completing a module.

The impact of the training at BCH isn’t limited to completion rates. It’s directly influencing organisational culture and planning.

“I’m currently rewriting our Diversity and Inclusion Plan and I’ve pulled directly from the training to shape our goals,” Jess said.

Inspired by SSI’s approach, BCH is embedding principles like inclusive language, personalised care and accessibility into its internal frameworks. Even staff who technically didn’t need to complete the training have asked to take part. A sign, Jess said, that the training resonates on a deeper level.

“That’s when you know you’ve got something special. When staff go out of their way to say, ‘Can I do this too?’”

A stronger, safer workplace for all.

For BCH, diversity training isn’t a one-off requirement; it’s part of creating safer spaces for people from all backgrounds.

“We work with communities that experience disadvantage and health inequity,” Jess said. “To offer real support, we need to understand people, their backgrounds, barriers, and the diversity within communities.”

SSI’s training helps organisations do just that. It’s grounded in inclusivity, relevance and practical application, not just theory.

“You can get free training elsewhere, but it won’t have the same impact. This was affordable and actually helped us change how we think and work.”

The bottom line? It works.

SSI’s Diversity Training is more than education. It’s a catalyst for cultural change, and organisations like Ballarat Community Health are seeing the difference.

“It speaks for itself. It’s already changing how we operate, and we’re just getting started,” Jess said.

To see how SSI Diversity Training can work for your organisation, get in touch today at diversitytraining@ssi.org.au or call us on 02 8799 6700.