SSI International Policy and Project Officer Carmen Ghaly (centre) with Salome Gunsch (L) and Carolina Mussi (R) at the Community Sponsorship Champions Summit in Cork, Ireland.
The GRF is an occasion for the international community to advance the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees by mobilising political will, broadening the base of support, and implementing arrangements that facilitate more equitable, sustained, and predictable responsibility-sharing.
States and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to announce concrete pledges and contributions that will achieve tangible benefits for refugees and host communities.
SSI will submit pledges in the areas of Solutions and Jobs and Livelihoods.
The GRF comes at the end of a tumultuous decade and serves as a direct response to the unprecedented rise in the number of refugees displaced worldwide, now over 25 million people.
SSI’s strong stance and involvement in the GRF follows the valuable advocacy work of its international program in recent years.
SSI has accelerated its advocacy for a fairer community sponsorship model and in 2017, with the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), shared key findings after site visits and meetings with 18 NGOs and representatives on Canada’s globally recognised private sponsorship program.
Key learnings have also emerged from SSI’s partnerships and collaboration with the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GRSI), UNHCR and the Community Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (CRSI).
Last month, SSI joined the Community Sponsorship Champions Summit in Cork, Ireland. SSI International Policy and Project Officer Carmen Ghaly attended with representatives from CRSI and Welcoming Australia.
Ms Ghaly said the Summit provided ample opportunity to engage with organisations across the globe that were implementing or exploring the feasibility of a community sponsorship program. SSI gave an update on SSI’s work with communities in Australia committed to sponsoring and supporting refugee settlement.
“We are working towards finding an avenue where we can harness the goodwill of individuals and communities in Australia to take part in supporting and welcoming refugees and contribute to building an inclusive society.”
Ms Ghaly said the pledges to be presented at the GRF would showcase SSI’s commitment to lead by example, exchange good practices and play a role in implementing the Global Compact on Refugees. It would provide an opportunity to highlight SSI’s expertise in strengthening community capacities, fostering inclusion and supporting refugees to participate in social, economic, civic and community life.
“SSI has pledged to share good practice and provide technical support and advice to resettlement and host countries to help build inclusive communities, promote refugee self-reliance and offer practice-based solutions.”
She has establish herself as a member of numerous local advisory and reference groups, including Bankstown Recovery Support Network (BRAS), Universal Access Reference Group, SSI FutureAbility National Multilingual Advisory Group, and the Inclusive Communities Network.Most recently, Ms Farhart has been informing the workforce of disability service providers with Our Voice, an SSI pilot project that draws on lived experience to deliver tailored learning sessions in English.
The project aims to build the capacity of mainstream disability services to better respond to the access needs of people living with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Held this year on December 3, International Day of People with Disability aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions in society.
In recognition of the day, we caught up with Ms Farhart to hear about her work as a Lived Experience Educator (LEE) with Our Voice and how the project has assisted her professional development, as well as work towards changing the current landscape for people living with disability from culturally diverse backgrounds.
“It’s great to know that I can positively influence people working for disability organisations to deliver more accessible services to people with disability from CALD backgrounds,” said Ms Farhart.
While Our Voice provides many opportunities for mainstream disability service providers, the project also provides a number of professional development opportunities for 11 LEEs.
“With Our Voice, I have delivered several learning activities that have enabled me to enhance my public speaking skills,” said Ms Farhart. “I have gained a lot more confidence in speaking publicly and addressing large audiences.”
A passionate ambassador and disability advocate, Yasmin says it was the project’s unique approach that inspired her to apply to become a LEE.
“Our Voice is unique because, unlike other disability-centred efforts, it uses the power of lived experience to help shape attitudes and break down stigmas,” said Ms Farhart.
“Often the best way to bring about change is through sharing lived experience. Our Voice is a great opportunity for organisations to learn about people’s cultural differences and the challenges that we endure through listening to our lived experiences.”
The barriers experienced by people with disability from CALD backgrounds are complex and far reaching, as evidenced by the low participation rate in the workforce, the NDIS and the wider community.
One of the biggest challenges that Ms Farhart faces is finding employment. Such challenges inspired her to start her own business: Yasmin Farhart — emcee, public speaker and disability advocate.
Our Voice has provided Ms Farhart with opportunities to promote her business to new audiences across the Sydney metro area and beyond, and also to generate independent income as a self-employed Lived Experience Educator.
Through the project, she was referred to SSI Ignite Ability, an initiative that assists people with disability from CALD backgrounds develop their business.
“It is tough to find a job if you are a woman with living with disability,” she said.
“I hope that the message that we are delivering through Our Voice gets through to the community. Hopefully more organisations are able to increase their understanding of the barriers that people with disability from CALD backgrounds face every day, and implement strategies to reduce those barriers.”
HIV-positive survivor and advocate David Polson.
David Polson was among the first 400 Australian men diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1984. At the time, the little-understood virus gave diagnosed people a life expectancy of under ten years and there was an intense stigma against those with HIV and the LGBTI community.
Since his diagnosis and under the care of late Professor David Cooper, Mr Polson has participated in 28 drug trials to help the medical community better understand and improve the treatment of HIV. This commitment to finding a treatment and to his community is unique and admirable.
As a speaker with lived experience, Mr Polson shares his journey at a wide range of national public engagements and forums.
In celebration of World AIDS Day on Friday, December 1, Mr Polson delivered the keynote address for the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’s event at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’s CEO Shanthini Naidoo said Mr Polson had become one of the greatest supporters and tireless advocates for the Foundation’s HIV Future Fund.
“David is the ‘face’ of our fundraising campaign to raise $1 million to support HIV research and treatment at St Vincent’s, including care for those most vulnerable people who have nowhere else to go,” Ms Naidoo said.
“He is a wonderfully engaging speaker who can connect with an audience and include them in his journey.”
Mr Polson has featured in several international HIV campaigns, books and documentaries. Currently, he’s writing a memoir that documents his personal experience in a time when Australia, despite a culture of discrimination and stigma, responded to a pandemic and became a global leader in the development of HIV treatment.
With the recent support of Settlement Services International (SSI)’s IgniteAbility® initiative, Mr Polson is reducing the ongoing stigma of HIV by sharing with new audiences his personal story of resilience, hope and courage.
IgniteAbility® is a pilot program established by SSI to facilitate business creation for people with a disability who want to establish a small business or expand an existing one. The program has supported Mr Polson by positioning him as a thought leader with a brand and legacy, paired with an integrated marketing and digital strategy.
“Setting up my website and business cards has helped my professional image enormously,” Mr Polson said.
Mr Polson said that he found the enthusiasm, dedication and depth of knowledge of IgniteAbility® most rewarding.
“IgniteAbility is a fantastic concept with fantastic people helping people with disabilities turn their lives around.”
Mr Polson’s mission for his advocacy work is to continue promoting a healthy and positive life for those living with HIV to new and international audiences.
Learn more about IgniteAbility® here
This is an incredible win on behalf of all of the people who remain on Manus Island, looking for a safe, permanent home. Behrouz’s New Zealand visa is only temporary, so uncertainty remains over his future. Behrouz has said that he still hopes to resettle in the United States, but has pointed to the lengthy delays under Australia’s exchange arrangement.
This highlights a recent change that I am concerned could threaten refugee resettlement as we know it. For the first time since records began, the US failed to settle a single refugee in October. At the same time, the US announced plans to almost halve its annual refugee intake to 18,000. This is another historic low from the long-time global resettlement leader — and a steep decline from the 110,000 intake ceiling President Barack Obama set.
As the US eschews its mantle of the world’s top country for refugee admissions, we have seen global displacement records hit record highs for consecutive years. The United Nations estimates there are close to 26 million refugees globally and only 92,400 people were resettled last year.
At SSI, we are watching these changes with concern and connecting with our colleagues globally. We have played a role in shaping UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum this month and have contributed to the new Global Compact on Refugees which, among other things, is a mechanism designed to respond to this current mass displacement and ease the pressure on host countries.
In the face of these threats to our protection structures, we are also seeing more and more exploration of complementary pathways to safety.
What do I mean by that? The usual pathway for refugees to come to Australia is through our government-run program. People apply for refugee status while living in a third-party country, where they live until they are allocated a place as part of our annual humanitarian intake. Australia currently resettles 18,750 people per year.
Countries such as Spain and the UK are exploring refugee community sponsorship programs, which empower everyday community members to settle refugees. In Canada – where a community sponsorship program is well established – communities come together to combine their funds, time and support to bring individuals and families to safety.
Just this month, the Irish government launched its own community sponsorship program, which will offer safety to up to 50 refugees – including this Syrian brother and sister who are building new lives. SSI was one of just two Australian organisations invited to attend this launch and participate in discussions on global refugee sponsorship initiatives.
SSI is committed to work towards community sponsored pathways that harness the collective strengths of whole communities, in partnership with government, service providers and community organisations. We are committed to supporting the Australian government’s review of the current Community Support Program.
Another interesting solution comes from an organisation named Talent Beyond Boundaries, which uses talent mobility as a non-traditional refugee resettlement solution. The organisation connects skilled refugees with talent-short employers, in a win-win for both parties. Employers around the world are tapping into this initiative, including local businesses like tech company IRESS. SSI works in partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries, offering critical settlement support to new arrivals.
I’m not advocating for one approach or the other, but what is clear to me is that at a time of global crisis, we must keep our hearts and minds open to new pathways to safety. Everyone deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential and live a life that is free and safe from war and persecution.
Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO
Released on Friday, November 22, 2019, the Department of Home Affairs’ Investing in Refugees, Investing in Australia report outlines a number of recommendations to better support refugees and set them up for success in Australia, optimising the contributions they make to our social fabric and economy.
“Refugees are risk-takers. While they have experienced traumatic violence and displacement, this often builds tremendous strength and resilience. They arrive determined to build new lives for themselves, their families and their communities in a safer place that offers them stability, order and opportunity,” it says.
“Successful integration into the Australian economy can assist refugees to achieve the self-reliance and independence that they seek and, by doing so, enhance the economic and social contribution that they make to their new home.”
I was heartened to hear this. It affirms the strength-based approach that is at the core of SSI’s services. This strength-based approach is exemplified in our regional refugee settlement in Coffs Harbour — or Armidale, where we have worked hand-in-hand with the local community to settle more than 300 refugees from Iraq and Syria since February 2018.
The government settlement review recommends more regional settlement of refugees generally — an action that SSI welcomes, provided it is done with a whole-of-community approach. This is at the heart of SSI’s success in Armidale, where we have prioritised an approach that meets the needs of both the host community and newcomers.
The Armidale refugee cohort is from the Ezidi people (also known as Yazidi), an ethno-religious minority who came to global attention due to the systemic attacks they suffered under the Islamic State. By taking a whole-of-community approach, we have been able to identify their unique strengths, and work with the local community to ensure they are positioned for settlement success.
Two new pieces of research from SSI and the University of New England demonstrate the effectiveness of our whole-of-community approach in retaining new arrivals and driving positive community attitudes to refugees.
While SSI welcomes many of the recommendations set out in the government refugee settlement review, we believe four areas warrant particular attention:
1. Regional resettlement
The report proposes that 50 per cent of refugees are settled in regional areas by 2022. This is a target that could lead to a multitude of benefits for both refugees and host communities — but we need to start planning now.
Our experience in Armidale and Coffs Harbour has demonstrated the importance of integrated and long-term planning, community activation and coordination with government. For the government to meet this ambitious target it needs to start working with settlement agencies, local communities and civic institutions straight away.
2. Employment
The report validates SSI’s experience that targeted, tailored initiatives are most effective in supporting refugee employment, and that more focus and funding should be allocated to these.
A great example of this is the NSW government’s Refugee Employment Support Program (RESP), which SSI has delivered for the past two years. Nearly one in every four RESP participants secures employment. This exceeds comparative figures from mainstream employment programs, where refugee employment rates generally sit below 20 per cent. One of the keys to RESP’s success is avoiding a one-size-fits all approach, and offering tailored support from our bilingual, bi-cultural staff.
3. Coordinator General.
The report also recommendations the appointment of for a national Coordinator General for refugee settlement. Having worked in partnership with the NSW Coordinator General Peter Shergold, SSI sees the benefits of this approach and the potential for national amplification of the many benefits refugee settlement brings to communities.
SSI and other community organisations in NSW played a critical role in crafting and implementing the NSW strategy.
We aim to work with the National Coordinator General in a similar capacity. A complementary national appointment will allow for a stronger narrative around the contribution of refugees to Australian society and social cohesion.
4. Complementary visa pathways
SSI welcomes the report’s recommendation on introducing complementary permanent visa pathways for refugees, specifically a community sponsored visa which harnesses the ‘collective strength’ of whole communities to support refugees resettle and integrate.
SSI has witnessed the goodwill of Australians towards refugees and sees the benefit of a pathway that could harness this and provide additional resettlement places. SSI is committed to working towards a community sponsorship program and supports the Australian government’s review of the current Community Support Program (CSP).
The government has committed to implementing many of the report’s recommendations, and this week, SSI was in Canberra to present strategies we have developed to address some of these areas. We look forward to working with the government and national Coordinator General to support more refugees to live safe, prosperous lives in Australia.
Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO
As part of the SBS Media Mentorship Program at Macquarie University, a practical and dynamic media mentorship program for CALD, Indigenous and low SES students, second year media students produced videos, blogs, podcasts, and social media assets about SSI’s City2Surf fundraiser and the SSI Community Kitchen, which the fundraiser was supporting. The content has been produced into a website.
The students created a website to showcase the stories they collected.
At the program’s recent end of year showcase event held at Macquarie University, SSI General Manager, Public Affairs and Communications Shannon Kliendienst praised the efforts and professionalism of the students, and the outcomes of the project.
“You have done a remarkable job in capturing the myriad stories and perspectives behind both the City2Surf and the Community Kitchen. But beyond these initiatives, you have documented stories that showcase the talents, dreams and backgrounds of newcomer Australians.
“And this is what we set out to do every day at SSI – demonstrate the valuable and diverse contributions individuals are making to society in their new homeland.”
But these stories can only be told with a media that is equipped, open-minded and understanding. There is a pressing need for greater diversity in our newsrooms, and a media that understands that multiculturalism means positively highlighting diverse voices and stories happening in these communities.
Indeed, the SBS Media Mentorship Program is helping to achieve this. With over 70% of graduates currently working in the media, the SBS Media Mentorship is successfully overcoming the barriers to media diversity to help build a more inclusive and harmonious Australian society.
Shannon agrees.
“From our work over this past year with these amazing, talented students, we think we’ll see a shift in the right direction.”
The SBS Media Mentorship Program is an initiative of SBS, NITV, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECC NSW) and Macquarie University.
The project can be viewed here.
Colombo Social has partnered with Settlement Services International (SSI) to provide vital employment opportunities to those from a refugee and asylum seeking background.
New arrivals will play a vital role in preparing delicious Sri Lankan fusion dishes and fruity cocktails. In fact, the talented chef cooking up a storm on Colombo’s opening night was Chandra Ravi, an asylum seeker from Sri Lanka who was recruited through SSI’s Employment Services program.
Colombo Social is also working with SSI’s Ignite small-business start-up program to source from refugee businesses as such Aunty’s Ginger tonic, as part of a commitment to an ethical supply chain.
Colombo Social is the brainchild of Australian-born Sri Lankan Shaun Christie-David and friend in hospitality Peter Jones-Best. The restaurant’s move to recruit and train asylum seekers and refugees was inspired by Christie-David’s experience of feeling like an outsider during his childhood.
“Colombo Social’s whole ethos is one of inclusivity. Growing up as an Australian-born Sri Lankan, I remember being embarrassed by the dahl sandwiches my mum packed in my lunchbox and similar small moments of isolation that made me feel different. Colombo Social is about embracing all backgrounds in a venue that celebrates the community-driven nature of Sri Lankan cuisine,” he said.
SSI CEO, Violet Roumeliotis, who attended the launch believes that Colombo Social is paving the way for the Australian business community to take action to support asylum seekers.
“This is a game-changer – businesses like Colombo Social have the opportunity to change people’s lives while tapping into a plethora of talented, hard-working candidates that are genuinely going to appreciate the opportunity to be part of this team,” Roumeliotis said.
The team has also engaged Chamara Pathiranage, who comes from Sri Lanka and has trained under Siro’s Restaurant Executive chef David Britton, to lead the kitchen. He has planned a menu that celebrates the bold flavours and colours Sri Lankan cuisine with playful nods to western favourites.
‘In-betweener’ dishes include soft shell crab roti tacos with homemade stretchy roti and a punchy mango salsa and traditional meals such as their traditional chicken village curry. The cocktail list is a definite crowd pleaser, feature zesty concoctions that offset the spice-driven dishes including The Invisible Mango Lassi.
Last year SSI’s Employment Services program helped place more than 5,000 refugees like Colombo Social chef Chandra. SSI with hopes more restaurant staff like Chandra will be recruited through the Employment Services program in future.
Guests celebrating at the SSI Mosaic Gala
The Mosaic Gala is a special fundraising event that brings together community organisations individuals and businesses to celebrate what can be achieved when we value differences and empower people to reach their full potential.
This year the Gala raised record funds to support people from a refugee background through SSI’s – Ignite® Small Business Start-ups and Refugee Scholarships. These programs focus on utilising education and employment as pathways to inclusion, independence and success when settling in Australia.
These programs support people like scholarship recipient Rami Suleiman and Hedayat Osyan, who spoke at the gala about his journey to Australia and subsequent success as an entrepreneur.
Hedayat was supported by Ignite® to found a tiling company, Nick Tiling Services, which now trains, employs and supports 25 other people from refugee backgrounds. Earlier this year, he was a speaker at TEDxSydney.
Guests at the Mosaic Gala enjoyed live entertainment and cuisine from various cultures. They also heard from Australian comedian, actor and writer, Anh Do, whose unique life was the focus of an inspiring keynote that began with his family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam in the late 1970s.
Speaking on the night, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the Mosaic Gala was an opportunity to bring together businesses and individuals who share the goal of ensuring all refuges have the opportunity to live rich, fulfilling lives in Australia.
“Refugees come to Australia with hope, ambitions and a hunger to make the most of the opportunities presented to them,” she said.
“Research from UNSW shows that most of the stressful life events for refugee children relate to changing school or home, parental unemployment, marital separation and financial stress. That same research indicates that one of the ways we can minimise this stress is to support children’s education and support their parents to find and retain employment.”
If you couldn’t make the Gala, don’t worry! You can still donate and receive a tax deductible donation by making a pledge contribution to support refugee scholarships and entrepreneurs.
Click here to make a pledge
Thank you to our event sponsors: Buzz Speaker Hire, Exetel, Language Loop, Monash University, Optus, White Lion King and our major prize sponsor: Delta Airlines as well all the many prize sponsors who donated a gift for the auction.
Hassan meets a Kangaroo and volunteers at SSI’s Community Kitchen
“It was a very happy day when our plane touched down in Sydney. I was excited to get started working and building my life again,” he said.
Hassan and his family were forced to flee their home in Mosul, Iraq and relocate to a refugee camp in Jordan after their city was overtaken by hostile forces.
Hassan had been studying in his final year in a degree of pharmacology before his studies were abruptly cut short and his life was turned upside down. Despite his experiences, Hassan has never given up his drive to build the life he deserves and pursue a career he enjoys.
When Hassan arrived in Australia, SSI staff met him at the airport and supported him to become oriented to Australia, link into the community and start realising his goals in areas including English language development, education and employment.
Just three months after arriving in Australia, Hassan’s SSI case manager recommended he apply for an employment program through SSI partner, Allianz Australia.
“On the day of my interview I was really excited. I remember going into the city with my partner. A week later Allianz called me back and said I had the job. It was a great feeling,” said Hassan
Through the program, Hassan completed various placements around Allianz before he and his supervisors identified a suitable full-time role.
Hassan’s role allowed him to develop his English communication skills and business acumen, along with giving him a foot in the door of Australia’s job market – something that is often challenging for new arrivals who lack local work experience and qualifications.
Hassan is still employed with Allianz and has recently moved into its life insurance area. To date, 21 new arrivals like Hassan have been placed in a range of permanent roles at Allianz in areas including accounting and finance, data science, audit and customer service.
SSI staff and delegates at the AWMA awards night
In a ground breaking initiative to promote diversity and equality in the Australian music industry, SSI and AWMA joined forces for the second year running to turn the spotlight on culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners.
As part of the partnership, SSI Arts and Culture supported six female artists and music practitioners from diverse backgrounds to attend the 2019 Australian Women in Music Awards in Brisbane. The two-day event included a series of forums, a keynote address, networking opportunities in addition to the awards ceremony, which featured performances by prominent musicians Kween G, Dizzy Doolan and Kathy Noonan.
One of the female artists selected to attend the AWMA awards was Behiye Suren, a passionate singer and songwriter from Turkish/Arap Alevi background. She said she was thrilled to be selected to attend the event.
“As an artist from western Sydney who performs bilingual music with Middle Eastern influences this was a brilliant opportunity to boost my presence as a diverse voice in Australian music,” she said.
The AWMAs coincided with the completion of Behiye’s ‘To Home Seas’ album project, which provided her with the ideal platform to network and promote her upcoming release.
One of the artists to take centre stage and perform for attendees was Armenian-Lebanese jazz composer and artist Zela Margossian, one of six female artists who had the opportunity to attend AWMA with SSI in 2018.
Ms Margossian said she was honoured to perform at this year’s Australian Women in Music Awards.
“I’m so grateful to have been part of such an important women’s music movement and share the stage with so many of Australia’s finest female artists and musicians.”
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis was given the honour of presenting the SSI Diversity in Music Award to talented indigenous pop singer and actress Christine Anu.
Violet described SSI’s involvement with the event as a unique partnership that has created a platform for culturally diverse female artists to receive recognition for the talent and creative perspective they bring to the Australian music industry.