Two organisations deeply involved in migration to Australia signed an MOU in August which will help to ensure diverse peoples are reflected in the national story.
The Australian National Maritime Museum in Pyrmont and Settlement Services International (SSI) will collaborate on a number of projects to:
- Provide newcomers with opportunities to experience Australian art, culture and history so they can learn about Australia, form new connections and acquire knowledge, skills and confidence
- Develop a fully-rounded collection of stories of the migrant experience as this is vital to understanding Australian identity and ensuring diverse peoples are reflected in the national story
- Strengthen workforce diversity, with cross-cultural capability via volunteering and employment opportunities.
Kevin Sumption, CEO and Director of the museum, said he welcomed the chance to strengthen the relationship with SSI in order to cultivate an environment that enables new migrants to understand their new country and provides structures that can assist them.
“As a collector of stories, through our Welcome Wall program and for the national collection of migration related objects, the museum is committed to deepening our involvement with such an important element of our national identity.”
SSI is a community organisation and social business that supports people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, to build capacity and enable them to overcome inequality.
On the day of the signing, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis was proud to identify her family name among the 30,000 names on the Welcome Wall, which stands in honour of families who have migrated to Australia.
She also said successful settlement and integration were key objectives of Australia’s migration policy, in particular the ability to participate fully in economic, social, cultural and civic life.
“While migration has slowed due to COVID-19 and we seek to build back better, public discussion about the benefits and challenges of a multicultural Australia should look at the evidence, and the experiences of Australians who are migrants and refugees.
“I am sure this partnership between SSI and the museum will help illuminate Australia’s multicultural success story.”
