Theme 1 – Celebration and belonging

Research shows the significance of embracing cultural diversity to improve social cohesion.

Cultural celebrations and recognition events give us a sense of belonging and pride. They also promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation and can help reduce racism and discrimination.

Feedback from our community highlighted:

• the importance of having platforms and opportunities for multicultural communities to showcase their traditions, customs and heritage.
• a desire for more cultural festivals and events to be held within the community and for the sharing of information about cultures, faiths and traditions between groups.
• the importance of intergenerational events as an opportunity to pass on customs and traditions and bridge the gap between generations in terms of values and perspectives.
• a desire for events and celebrations to be organised and led by multicultural community groups.

Strategic Objective 1: Boroondara’s multicultural communities are celebrated and feel a sense of belonging.

Programming

Libraries and learning

• Our libraries and learning programs acknowledge and celebrate culturally significant days through displays and story time sessions and holding resources on different faiths and cultures at the libraries.

Arts and Culture

• Our arts and cultural programs celebrate cultural diversity through Council’s Arts and Culture activities such as musical performances, theatre, dance and exhibitions.

Grants

• Our grants programs support community organisations such as neighbourhood houses, seniors groups and sporting clubs to deliver projects that celebrate and recognise our multicultural communities through Council’s Community Strengthening Grants and Community Arts Venue Grants.

Capacity building, planning and partnerships

• Convene the Boroondara Interfaith Network and partner with its members to hold events for all the community to nurture and promote social cohesion.
• Continue to hold regular Citizenship Ceremonies for new Australian Citizens.
• Host and promote the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s community reporting tool for racism on Council’s website so community members can report incidents of racism.

Key Action