Webinars – Multicultural Queensland Month 2024
Watch free webinars (and a panel discussion) that explore a range of insightful topics.
Cultural diversity and inclusion – how to get started
Date: Thursday, 1 August 2024
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Cultural diversity and inclusion – you’ve likely heard about the topic, but do you know where to start? Look no further.
Sheetal Deo, a diversity and inclusion consultant, will go back to basics and explore what you can do.
You’ll walk away from this webinar with ideas on how to take action towards a more inclusive multicultural Queensland.
This webinar was presented by Sheetal Deo in partnership with Multicultural Affairs Queensland.
About the presenter: Sheetal Deo
Sheetal Deo (she/her) is passionate about leveraging platforms and privilege to connect ideas, people, and opportunities that amplify and empower underrepresented experiences. Sheetal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and political science from the University of the Fraser Valley (Canada), and a Juris Doctor, Master of Laws and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Bond University (Australia). Sheetal incorporates her political and social science training in her advocacy for equity & accessibility within the legal profession and the community it serves. Sheetal is the Principal and Founder of Shakti Legal Solutions; an innovative, award winning low-bono law firm designed specifically to improve access to legal assistance for everyday people through a unique, ‘pay what you can’ model.
Outside of her legal practice, Sheetal runs a diversity and inclusion consultancy, is the Senior Project Manager for the RISE Project at the Diversity Council of Australia, and volunteers her time to various not-for-profit organisations and boards including the Queensland Law Society where she is the first culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) woman to serve on its board in its 150-year history.
MQM24 Panel Discussion – Ask us anything: Real talk on diversity
Date: Tuesday, 6 August 2024
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Ever had a question about migrants or refugees? One that might be uncomfortable or feel silly to ask?
Whether you’re wondering “What happens if you accidently eat something during Ramadan?” or “What is the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?” … this panel discussion is for you! Watch and listen as our panellists from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, share their perspectives as they answer questions from the audience.
This event was brought to you by Together for Humanity in partnership with Multicultural Affairs Queensland for #MQM24.
About the presenter: Together for Humanity
Together For Humanity is an inclusive, not-for-profit educational organisation that works with school communities to combat prejudice and advance belonging and inclusion. They have teams in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and offer a range of student programs linked to the Australian Curriculum, teacher professional learning and online learning for students and teachers.
How to work with an interpreter
Date: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Time: 2:00–3:00pm
Interpreters play a crucial role helping people with limited proficiency in English access services and participate in the community. They also assist government, businesses and others to ensure services are accessible to all.
You’ll find interpreters in a range of settings – from the doctor’s surgery to the courtroom to front line services.
This practical session will focus on working with interpreters, including what you should and shouldn’t do and a short demonstration of an interpreting scenario.
The webinar was brought to you by Translationz in partnership with Multicultural Affairs Queensland for #MQM24.
About the presenter: Translationz
Translationz has been at the forefront of breaking down language barriers in Australia for two decades. Specialising in interpreting and document translation, the team at Translationz serves both public and private organisations. With award-winning technology, Translationz provides on-site interpreting, telephone and video remote interpreting, document translation, and other related language services.
Karen Hodgson, Translationz CEO, is driven by a passion for connecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities with essential services, initiatives, and programs. Translationz’s mission is to ensure that language is never a barrier to accessing fundamental resources and opportunities.
How to create welcome
Date: Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Time: 2:00–3:00pm
Settling in a new country, neighbourhood, workplace, school or community can be daunting. And this can be the case for newly arrived refugees, migrants, international students and many others.
So what is welcome, and how do we create it?
Featuring members of the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council, this webinar will explore what welcome means in different cultures. Our speakers will also provide tips on how we can all create welcome, and why this is important.
This session was brought to you by Multicultural Affairs Queensland in partnership with the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council for #MQM24.
About the presenters
The following members of the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council are presenting this webinar.
Mrs Kenny Duke
Originally from El Salvador, Kenny’s background involves working in the settlement, training, employment, multicultural youth Queensland (MyQ) and community development sectors. She is an active member of the Logan community and, through her work with Access Community Services Ltd., has extensive connections throughout the multicultural sector, government, and community. Kenny is a genuine collaborator who brings a nuanced understanding of both, opportunities and barriers faced by the culturally and linguistically diverse community from refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker backgrounds.
Dr Faiza El-Higzi OAM
Faiza is a political scientist who specialises in socio-economic inclusion, cultural diversity and gender equality with extensive experience in the public, private and not for profit sectors. She is a Lecturer, Research Fellow and Deputy Chair of the Cultural Inclusion Council with the University of Queensland. She is also the Chair of Ethnic Broadcasting Association Queensland and community Radio 4EB, and a Board member of Queensland Council for Social Services. Faiza is also Chair of Women of Colour advocacy body and a Director at the National Ethnic Media and Broadcasting Council. Faiza has extensive experience in public sector policy having worked for both State and federal governments and is the recipient of an Outstanding Multicultural Achiever Award from the Queensland Government and an Order of Australia Medal from the Australian Government.
Mr Timothy Lo Surdo
Tim is the Founder of Democracy in Colour - Australia's first racial and economic justice organisation led by people of colour. He has worked with low-paid workers to set up Hospo Voice - a new union in hospitality. In addition to previously holding the position of National Communications Director at UN Youth Australia, he has extensive experience leading campaigns tackling a range of issues including poverty and fairness. Tim co-founded Open Sky (one of India’s most well-known performance art communities) and is the Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Mill House Ventures. He currently sits on numerous boards focussed on issues including ending men’s family violence, consumer policy, conservation and sustainability. In 2020, Tim was appointed as one of 17 UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms Roselle Tenefrancia
Before migrating to the Gold Coast in 2012, Roselle gained extensive experience practising law in the Philippines across sectors including social welfare, environment, indigenous peoples’ rights, children’s rights, human rights education and monitoring, and international conflict management. Roselle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in addition to her Juris Doctor degree, has authored legal articles and research papers and worked as a trainer and freelance writer. Roselle brings a practical understanding of what supports welcome, inclusion and connection through her involvement in a variety of volunteering and community initiatives on top of her current professional work as an editor and writer.
How to be an anti-racist in the workplace
Date: Friday, 30 August 2024
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Diversity and representation in the workplace is important, but not enough to tackle racism alone.
In this session, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman explains an anti-racism approach which confronts the structural racism embedded in workplaces, and allows people of negatively racialised backgrounds to thrive.
This event was brought to you by Multicultural Affairs Queensland in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission for #MQM24.
About the presenter: Giridharan Sivaraman
Giridharan Sivaraman commenced as Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner in March 2024. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he was Principal Lawyer with Maurice Blackburn where he led the firm’s Queensland Employment Law department. He also held the position of Chair of Multicultural Australia from 2021-2024 and was a member of the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council from 2019-2024, where he was an advocate for the rights of victims of racial vilification.
Commissioner Sivaraman was born in India and migrated to Australia as a child. His anti-discrimination legal and advocacy work is based on his strong passion for human rights, as well as his moral conviction to speak truth to power and fight for the rights of the marginalised, oppressed, and vilified.
The Race Discrimination Commissioner is a statutory position within the Australian Human Rights Commission. Under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), this position is responsible for promoting equality between people of different backgrounds, conducting research and educational programs to combat racial discrimination, and protecting people from unfair treatment or vilification on the basis of their race, colour, descent, visa status, or national or ethnic origin.