THE City of Greater Geelong Council has released a draft Multicultural Action Plan 2018-2022 for final community feedback.<\/p>\n
The plan aims to:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Increase Geelong\u2019s multicultural community\u2019s participation and highlight the benefits of diversity and social inclusion
\n\u2022 Provide equal access to social, economic and health resources and support
\n\u2022 Deliver inclusive planning, services, programs, infrastructure and advocacy
\n\u2022 Create a more inclusive, connected and vibrant community.<\/p>\n
It sets out a series of action areas for the next four years that will help achieve these aims. Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said the Greater Geelong region highly values its multicultural communities, whose diverse ideas, skills and experience help make Geelong a great place to live.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want our City to be a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, and this plan sets out the initiatives and services needed to achieve this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage everyone to have their say during the consultation period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geelong\u2019s Inclusive and Diverse Community portfolio chair Cr Sarah Mansfield said Geelong had a long and proud multicultural history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe annual Pako Festa is one of my favourite events in Geelong, and is a fantastic example of how we celebrate our many different cultures.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur diversity brings richness and vibrancy to our community, and it\u2019s important that we continue to support this.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said migrants had made a major contribution throughout Geelong\u2019s history, and the region was now home to 51 different cultural communities.<\/p>\n
Census data from 2016 shows that 11 per cent of residents speak a language other than English
\nat home.<\/p>\n
The new plan builds on COGG\u2019s first Multicultural Action Plan, 2011-2014, and was developed by Council\u2019s Multicultural Action Plan Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n
The plan will be available for feedback until September 28. Visit geelongaustralia.com.au\/ yoursay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE City of Greater Geelong Council has released a draft Multicultural Action Plan 2018-2022 for final community feedback. The plan aims to: \u2022 Increase Geelong\u2019s multicultural community\u2019s participation and highlight the benefits of diversity and social inclusion \u2022 Provide equal access to social, economic and health resources and support \u2022 Deliver inclusive planning, services, programs, […]<\/p>\n