BREAKFAST in the leafy surrounds of the Barkly Square courtyard will be the perfect way to start session one of the African Australians in Ballarat Series.<\/p>\n
Run by the Ballarat African Association the day-long session will cover a variety of topics.<\/p>\n
Dr Michael Akindeju, President of the association, said with a full day of lectures and presentations planned, breakfast will get the day underway.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople relax when sharing a meal, it will give the community a chance to meet each other and become engaged,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The theme of social connectedness will be the focus of the event.<\/p>\n
Dr Akindeju said the association wants attendees to go beyond the us versus them way of thinking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to change the paradigm and discussions around discrimination,\u201d he said. \u201cNot necessarily against African Australians but against anyone that the community considers is different from them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call it non-othering.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fortunate to have Dr Hyacinth Udah, from Griffith University in Queensland, who specialises in identity, othering and belonging as one of our key speakers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democracy is another topic which will feature on the program.<\/p>\n
Dr Akindeju said unfortunately some of the members do not see the electoral process as critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to have them all to have a good critical say in the political landscape,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
To that end there will be a presentation from the Victorian Electoral Commission to bring members up to date with the importance of their vote.<\/p>\n
Session one of the African Australians in Ballarat Series is at Barkly Square lecture theatre, 25 Barkly Street, Ballarat, on Saturday, 30 November.<\/p>\n
Breakfast is at 10am with the presentations running from 11am to 4pm. A donation of $5 will cover breakfast, lunch and the lectures.<\/p>\n