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Why
are we talking about Cultural Diversity?
It is important to think of our multicultural community when planning our services, facilities and initiatives. Council is committed to operating and delivering services that are consistent with and actively promote the NSW Multicultural Principles.
Council currently has a Cultural Diversity Policy and Framework to help us better connect with our community. We are now creating a Cultural Diversity Action Plan that will help guide our next steps and need your input!
We aim to:
- Communicate well with our multicultural community
- Provide inclusive and accessible places and spaces
- Deliver culturally responsive services, programs and events
- Reduce the barriers experienced by multicultural community members
We encourage everyone to fill out our survey, especially if you are from a culturally diverse background or can advocate for anyone from Shellharbour's culturally diverse community.
Consultation
FAQ
Culture is the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviours and objects that are passed down from one generation to the next.
Cultural Diversity is the existence of a group of diverse individuals from unique cultures, societies or ethnic groups. It includes ethnicity, customs, behaviour, practices, food, language, faith, religion and race.
We want to create a connected, culturally diverse city by encouraging the respect of the diverse groups within our community. We value the social differences among our community and encourage, enable regular contribution to empower all.
- Recognising the abundant diversity of cultures in our community
- Respecting others for the differences
- Acknowledging the validity of diverse cultural expressions and contributions
- Valuing what other cultures offer
- Encouraging the contribution of diverse groups
- Empowering people to achieve their maximum potential by being conscious of their own biases
- Celebrating rather than tolerating the differences in order to bring about unity through diversity
This action plan is for Council to connect with the culturally diverse members of our community. According to the 2021 Census, Shellharbour City’s total population was 76,443. Of that 12,282 or 16.1% of people were born overseas and 9.8% speak a language other than English at home.
Language (other than English) spoken at home - Top 10:
- Macedonian
- Spanish
- Italian
- German
- Turkish
- Greek
- Serbian
- Maltese
- Portuguese
- Croatian
The Multicultural Principals are adopted from the Multicultural NSW Act 2000
- all individuals in New South Wales, irrespective of their linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds, should demonstrate a unified commitment to Australia, its interests and future,
- all individuals in New South Wales should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a democratic framework,
- the people of New South Wales are of different linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds who, either individually or in community with other members of their respective groups, are free to profess, practise and maintain their own linguistic, religious and ancestral heritage,
- all individuals and institutions should respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the common language,
- all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to—
- contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate, and
- make use of, and participate in, relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales,
- all institutions of New South Wales should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of New South Wales as a valuable resource and promote this resource to maximise the development of the State.
1. Access & Delivery
2. Planning
3. Leadership
4. Communication & Engagement
