Wyndham City is proud to launch Unite for Diversity: Listen, Share, Understand, a series of activities and events aimed at building understanding and trust, and reducing racism and discrimination in our community.
Run over April and May, the Unite for Diversity series features a free program of intimate events to enable cross-cultural exchange and awareness, including First Nations cultural exchange events, community dinners, interfaith open days and a Youth Healing Workshop.
There will also be an Inclusion & Diversity Training workshop for local sports clubs to build cultural awareness and inclusivity, and anti-racism workshops focusing on the impact of racism in our community and how to find allies, speak up and stand up.
Wyndham City Mayor and Welcoming City portfolio holder, Councillor Jennie Barrera, said the Unite for Diversity series celebrates Wyndham's strength as one of the most diverse regions in Australia.
"Wyndham boasts a rich multicultural population, and waves of migration have contributed to who we are today," Cr Barrera said.
"A total 48 per cent of our residents are born overseas, and nearly 50 per cent speak a language other than English."
"Wyndham is also home to a large and diverse First Nations population."
"We have always had the Wadawurrung in the West and Bunurong in the East and in recent years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all over Australia have made Wyndham home, sparking an increase from 700 residents identifying as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in 2006 up to 2,511 in the 2021 Census."
"The Unite for Diversity series is designed to break down barriers and encourage curiosity and kindness by bringing people together to share their unique stories and experiences and to celebrate what we have in common."
"This free Wyndham City program is all about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone."
"These events provide a unique opportunity to share culture, conversation and understanding, and I invite our community to see what's on offer and attend one of these insightful experiences."
"This initiative is in line with Wyndham City's Annual Plan and Budget 2023-24, which committed to the delivery of a community campaign to strengthen intercultural and interfaith awareness, aimed at reducing racism in our community."
