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.

Thousands of refugees across the country recently celebrated their first Christmas in Australia. For a special group of new arrivals, the festive season began early at an SSI celebration last month.

By Elise Marley-Wallace, Allianz Public Relations and Social Media Manager In December 2016, more than 20 Allianz Australia employees volunteered over 200 hours to support not-for-profit humanitarian organisation, Settlement Services International (SSI), as part of Allianz’s community outreach program.  

It’s been a big year for Syrian brothers Sarkis and Garen Keshishian who have only recently come to call Australia home. But their sights are on the future and they have big plans to make their mark in the automotive industry.

Yarie Bangura spoke to a crowd of 150 Google employees about her small business Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, on Friday evening, November 25. The event was the launch of Google Give Week; a week during which Google employees are given the opportunity to donate to local charities whose initiatives are making a significant impact in the community.

Recent media reports have highlighted migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum as highly vulnerable at work. Accounts of low-paid work, unpaid wages, unsafe work conditions, exploitation and abuse are not uncommon. 

SSI enthusiastically welcomes Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement that the government will permanently maintain Australia’s commitment to settle 18,750 refugees a year from 2018. This provides assurance that Australia will continue to settle a significant number of people and families fleeing conflict zones, saving many lives.

Young refugees needing help with their school education and adults seeking local recognition for their qualifications will be among those eligible for new scholarships worth more than $90,000.  Allianz Australia and not-for-profit humanitarian organisation Settlement Services International (SSI) are offering the scholarships to help refugees settle in the community.

Settlement Services International (SSI) has joined with the NSW Police Force to develop solutions that will help refugees and people seeking asylum connect with police officers on a human level. Representatives from the NSW Police Force, the settlement sector, community associations and leaders, gathered yesterday at SSI’s head office in Sydney for a roundtable event designed to enhance understanding between police officers and the workers who support refugees and people seeking asylum.

SSI has joined with the NSW Police Force to develop solutions that will help refugees and people seeking asylum connect with police officers on a human level.

More than 150 people who work at the intersection of the arts and refugee resettlement gathered from around Australia at the Arts and Refugees Forum at Casula Powerhouse over two days in August.

An unprecedented state-wide discussion about refugee-related arts practice will take centre stage at an event that connects practitioners working at the intersection between the arts and refugees. Held from August 19–20 at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC), the inaugural Arts and Refugees Forum will create a space for artists, community development workers, educators, and arts and humanitarian organisations to share their experiences and discuss various aspects of artistic practice by, with and about refugees.

Dozens of newly arrived refugees got up to speed with Australia's social landscape in a series of tailored activities for young people during the school holidays.

Children, volunteers, church groups and families from the Ku-ring-gai community have welcomed newly arrived refugees with open arms, showing their support with a welcome event, donation appeal and more.

A state-wide discussion about refugee-related arts practice will take centre stage at a forum SSI is co-hosting later this month.

Nader Sameer and Nawar Hanna are unlikely friends, but bricks and mortar have brought the two former refugees from Iraq together as they start their bricklaying careers in Australia.

Majed Al Zanad was four years into a medical degree when the war in Syria forced him to abandon his studies. Like many refugees, he is now facing the challenging process of getting his past experience recognised so he can resume his medical studies in Australia.

Few people can imagine the tumultuous mix of emotions refugees experience on arrival in their new country. Adam Bujairami, however, has no need to imagine, having been a refugee himself.

Several newly arrived refugees have secured full-time work and dozens more have been offered paid apprenticeships as part of a joint venture to help new arrivals develop a career in the construction industry.

Settlement Services International (SSI) is taking part in the iconic City2Surf running event, with dozens of staff, volunteers and supporters joining the cause to support refugees and people seeking asylum in NSW.