Inagural Conference

The inaugural African Resettlement Conference was held at the University of Melbourne from 11–13 April 2007.

The Conference theme, "Walking together at same speed: A forum to dialogue...
a cultural journey”, reflects the belief that both African refugees and Australian society need to come together in the spirit of learning and mutual understanding.

A series of keynote addresses, case studies and presentations reflected our theme and our topic areas: settlement needs, community building, acclimatization, gender roles, health and wellbeing, employment, youth, education, and African family values, and cultural awareness.

Conference Scope
The conference addressed the resettlement needs of African families and single people resettled under Australia’s Refugees and Humanitarian programs from countries such as Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan, and their integration into the broader multicultural society. It focused specifically on the resettlement experience of recent and new arrivals to Melbourne and regional Victoria but will also have national relevance.

Goals and Objectives
The goal and objectives of this conference is to provide an opportunity for service providers, local, state and federal government agencies and policy makers, professionals and community members/leaders to discuss and share past, and present success/failures, common concerns, and hopes for the future.

Goals and Objectives

  1. to develop a list of recommendations for government and other agencies, including the welfare, employment and educational sectors, to address resettlement needs and integration of African refugees;
  2. Increase awareness and knowledge of the cultural and family value in African communities and the need for better support system;
  3. to promote and facilitate social harmony and cohesion within Victoria and Australia as a whole.
  4. Promote culturally appropriate education and training for all the new and emerging African refugees and their communities;
  5. Promote community-based volunteer activities and provide funding to ensure continuity and research practices in African refugees;
  6. Promote closer relations between African communities and partnership with government and service providers;
  7. Promote collaborative action among service providers, governments and African communities;
  8. Provide a forum for African community leaders and volunteers to come together to share, support, network and build partnerships to improve African refugee’s employment and education opportunity and awareness, on African values and research needs.
 

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