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FEATURE ARTICLE 2: AUSTRALIA'S CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY

In addition to our rich Indigenous cultures, Australia is a nation built on the migrant experience and consequently is one of the most diverse countries in the world. In this, the United Nations declared International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, Australian society is a microcosm of the entire world and faces a similar challenge, to live harmoniously, with respect and cooperation regardless of culture, language or religion.

Today, there are approximately 22 million Australians, speaking almost 400 languages, including Indigenous languages (End note 1), identifying with more than 270 ancestries and observing a wide variety of cultural and religious traditions. Australia remains a socially stable country, not despite its cultural diversity, but because of the acceptance of it and the firm belief that diversity is one of the country’s enduring strengths.

The prevailing cohesiveness of Australian society through the waves of post war migration is a defining characteristic of the nation. Leadership by governments at all levels, through policies, programs and public messages, reinforces social cohesion and positive community relations. This is particularly important when the Australian community or any part of it is under economic, social or political pressure.

The Australian Government offers a continuum of settlement support programs from the time a person arrives in Australia, to bringing people together to build a sense of community through our cultural diversity programs, through to promoting citizenship. Thus the Australian Government’s settlement and cultural diversity programs contribute to building a fair and welcoming national community, all of whose members feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to participate in all aspects of life. Significant social tensions have been avoided through proactively addressing relevant issues. Such policy and program investment delivers win-win outcomes for individuals and society as a whole. They reinforce the importance for Australians of recognising their responsibilities in being fair, respectful and inclusive of others, taking into account our different backgrounds, needs and circumstances.

Some of these Australian Government programs are implemented by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Other programs involve the coordinated efforts of several government departments at both the national and the state/territory levels.

Working with the community

Many of DIAC’s cultural diversity programs focus on bringing people together to build a sense of community based on shared experiences. The Diverse Australia Program is primarily a community-based strategy for all Australians which aims to address issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance by promoting respect, fairness, inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone.

The Diverse Australia Program was launched on 28 January 2009 to replace the Living in Harmony program. It provides funding, educational resources and information to help organisations and communities promote:

• the importance of all Australians respecting one another regardless of cultural, racial or religious differences
• the fair treatment of all Australians, encouraging people to recognise that our interactions should be accepting of, and responsive to, each other’s backgrounds, circumstances, needs and preferences
• opportunities for people to participate equitably in Australian society and to understand the rights and responsibilities that we share as part of that society
• a sense of belonging for everyone by helping communities work towards a spirit of inclusiveness and a shared identity as Australians, and
• the benefits of living in a multicultural society.

• a small grants scheme under which organisations can apply for funding of up to $5000 for community relations activities
• funding of between $5000 and $50,000 for community groups and organisations to deliver projects that address local community relations issues
• large scale projects to respond to emerging issues of racism or intolerance, developed in partnership with DIAC and supported by funding of up to $150,000
• an information and communication component which aims to:
  • promote the program and its objectives
  • engage the community in fostering inclusion and cohesion in their local area
  • encourage all Australians to celebrate the benefits of cultural diversity on Harmony Day, on 21 March each year.

• advocate for, and promote a just, inclusive, multicultural Australia
• network with Australia's diverse communities and provide advice to government on cultural diversity issues and the accessibility of government services
• facilitate capacity building, participation and inclusion of new and emerging communities into the broader Australian community.

• The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) provides initial, intensive settlement assistance for resettled refugees. Their needs are assessed and addressed through an integrated case management approach. Services provided through the IHSS include: initial information and orientation assistance; assistance in finding accommodation; a package of goods to help establish a household; information and assistance to access services and become part of the local community; and short term torture and trauma counselling.
• The Adult Migrant English Program provides English language tuition for eligible adult migrants and humanitarian entrants who do not have functional English. Tuition is designed to provide clients with basic language skills to assist them to settle successfully in Australia.
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National provides a national translating and interpreting service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is provided to allow non-English speakers access to information and services.
• The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) provides community organisations with funding to deliver settlement services to recently arrived Humanitarian Program entrants, family stream migrants who have low English proficiency and the dependants of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas who have low English proficiency for up to five years after arrival. The SGP aims to deliver services which help clients to become self reliant and participate equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival.

1. PEOPLE CONFERRED CITIZENSHIP
	people conferred citizenship
Year	no.
1999-00	70 836
2000-01	72 070
2001-02	86 289
2002-03	79 164
2003-04	87 049
2004-05	93 095
2005-06	103 350
2006-07	136 256
2007-08	121 221
2008-09	86 981
Source: ABS 2006 Census of Population and Housing.

1. See feature article "Languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - A uniquely Australian Heritage" in this edition of Year Book Australia.