From refugee to cultural bridge: Sudanese-born Jok supports diverse communities in Australia by leveraging her own journey
When Jok-Babott sought refuge in Australia over 20 years ago, she confronted the daunting task of learning a new language and navigating unfamiliar systems and cultures. Today, Jok leverages her own experiences and skills to provide the support she wishes she’d had as a newcomer.
Leading musician and guitar innovator returns home for Logan’s biggest multicultural festival
He’s played to some of Australia’s largest music festivals, invented an innovative new guitar style, and even made it through to the finals of Australia’s Got Talent, but now Chris Tamwoy is returning to his roots, with a headline performance at one of southeast Queensland’s biggest multicultural food, arts, and culture festivals, World of Culture.
Australia must increase humanitarian intake amidst record-breaking displacement
One of Australia’s largest refugee resettlement providers has called for urgent action to lift Australia’s humanitarian intake, as new research shows the number of people experiencing forced displacement increased at a record-breaking rate in 2022.
SSI welcomes Budget allocation of additional places for Afghan refugees
Settlement Services International (SSI) has joined humanitarian advocates, including the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and the Settlement Council of Australia, in welcoming the Federal Government’s 2022-23 Budget announcement of an additional 16,500 places over four years for Afghans fleeing their war-torn country.
In conversation: SSI New Beginnings Ambassador Shyamla Eswaran talks diversity at New Beginnings Festival.
This annual festival brings thousands of Sydneysiders together to enjoy the creative, culinary and artistic talents of people from refugee, migrant and First Nations backgrounds.
Matriarch of Australian rap joins global talent line-up at New Beginnings Festival
BARKAA, a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from Western New South Wales to perform as part of leading arts and culture festival’s first show coming out of COVID-19
Multi-disciplinary artists to tour QLD and NSW for Refugee Week
A multi-disciplinary arts tour will travel across regional and metropolitan Queensland and New South Wales during Refugee Week to raise awareness of refugee experiences.
New multicultural support for people experiencing gambling harm
A new multicultural service provided by Settlement Services International (SSI) and funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation will support individuals, families and communities experiencing gambling harm.
Western Sydney youth come together ‘more than ever’ to celebrate Youth Week
Members of the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP) Youth Workers Network will kick off Youth Week 2021 at an event featuring a variety of activities, including a youth-led panel discussion and the premiere of the video Youth Speak.
SSI selected to deliver a multicultural service to address gambling harm in Victoria
The Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, yesterday announced Settlement Services International (SSI) would deliver a new state-wide gambling harm prevention and counselling service for migrant and refugee communities.
ARIA-nominated hip hop artist joins global talent line-up at New Beginnings Festival
L-Fresh the Lion to perform as part of leading arts and culture festival’s fifth-anniversary celebrations The annual arts and culture festival that showcases Australia’s leading talent from refugee and migrant backgrounds has announced its most eclectic and renowned program to date.
SSI’s Yamamah Agha recognised as one of Pro Bono Australia’s ‘Impact 25’ Winners
Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 Awards recognise the most influential people in the sector as nominated and voted for by their peers.
From the CEO — Multiculturalism and “African gang crime”
Australia has always had a mixed relationship with its multicultural identity. On one hand, we embrace multiculturalism through national celebrations like Harmony Day and take great pride in the diversity of cultural expressions like food.
SSI foster carer commended at 2017 NSW Grandparent of the Year Awards
SSI’s foster carer Alaweia Kual has been recognised as a finalist in the 2017 NSW Grandparent of the Year Awards for her valuable contributions to the community both as a kinship carer for her grandson and as a community leader supporting newly arrived refugees from her home country of Sudan.
UNHCR Consultations 2017: SSI in Geneva working for greater outcomes for refugees
It has been a full few days at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement in Geneva. SSI is one of a number of international NGOs attending, to discuss pressing issues in response to the global refugee crisis.
Bird themes prompt stories from Auburn’s multicultural community
A partnership between Auburn Diversity Services Inc. (ADSi) and the Family Creative Hub at Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) at Parramatta has resulted in a beautiful, bird-themed picture book that reflects the stories of communities that live in Auburn.
From the CEO – Private sector’s inspiring efforts to help refugees
As the New Year ticked over, a common theme in reflections on 2016 was the adversity the year brought with it. Along with the loss of popular icons such as David Bowie, Harper Lee and Leonard Cohen, we experienced unprecedented global events, like Brexit and the mass migration of people seeking safety, and saw escalating violence in areas such as Syria and South Sudan.
From the CEO – What does it take to belong?
What does it take to forge a new life far from home? That’s a key question raised by Constance on the Edge, a film SSI was thrilled to preview recently.
We’re here to seek new beginnings
SSI’s first Speakers’ Series for 2016 was a powerful and inspiring evening, shared by 85 guests packed into SSI’s Ashfield auditorium and watched online at SSI’s YouTube channel.
SSI Speakers’ Series – Deng Thiak Adut
Deng Thiak Adut is a notable community leader and internationally renowned lawyer. He came to Australia as a refugee, after escaping Sudan where he was abducted as a child and forced to act as a soldier. Once he was safe, he put himself through law school, becoming a formidable advocate.