2007 Multicultural Summit
About the Summit
The Queensland Multicultural Summit was held on 19-20 November 2007 at the State Library of Queensland. Brisbane.
The Queensland Government, through Multicultural Affairs Queensland, provided a $25,000 grant to ECCQ under the Multicultural Assistance Program to support the two-day Summit, and the State Library of Queensland provided sponsorship by offering its world-class conference and meeting facilities at Southbank.
A Steering Committee to oversee organisation of the Summit was established, consisting of representatives from: ECCQ, Multicultural Development Association, Multicultural Affairs Queensland, Brisbane City Council and Multilink.
A series of community workshops were held by ECCQ some 12 months prior to the Summit to generate community input into the program.
The objectives of the Summit were to:
• explore, understand and better utilize the rich and diverse human resources in our society;
• influence government policy and the corporate sector;
• stimulate discussion;
• provide a platform for productive networking.
The overall theme for the Summit was ‘Multiculturalism – Investing in our Future’ to highlight the positive contributions multiculturalism makes to our community. Major themes addressed at the Summit included:
• Employment - utilising our diverse human resource pool.
• Language diversity – our ignored asset?
• Citizenship and integration – fear-driven policy or strength-based vision?
• Diverse communities – nurturing our youth to caring for and rewarding our aged.
The Minister for Communities and Multicultural Affairs, Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr provided the formal opening address. Michael Choi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, provided the formal closing address.
Keynote speakers were Philippe Legrain, critically acclaimed journalist, author and thinker, and Jason Yat-Sen Li, China-based but Australian-born campaigner for anti-racism and multiculturalism.
Plenary speakers included:
• Senator Andrew Bartlett, Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats & Senator for Queensland
• Siyavash Doostkhah, Director, Youth Affairs Network of Queensland
• Professor Roland Sussex, Professor of Applied Language Studies, University of Queensland
• Mike Cornwell, Senior Project Manager, Ausenco
• Gloria Wallace, General Manager, Southern Area Health Services, Queensland Health
• Professor Amareswar Galla PhD, Professor of Museum Studies, University of Queensland
A total of 286 paying delegates were registered for the Summit: 29% from the government sector; 9% from the corporate sector; 58% from community associations and NGOs; and 4% full-time students and unwaged.
Summit Key Issues and Recommendations
Summit Proceedings
HIV CALD social group
