Multicultural Education

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For Teachers

Professional learning: Organisations

Teachers are advised of the following organisations to assist in accessing information and support when developing inclusive strategies and incorporating multicultural perspectives in their learning and teaching programs.

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Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)

The VMC supports the participation of Victoria’s ethnic communities in the social, cultural and economic life of Victoria. In support of multicultural affairs the VMC offers:

  • a grants program
  • scholarships
  • language services advice

and coordinates the annual Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs which includes an education category.

See: Victorian Multicultural Commission (http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au)

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Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture

Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) provides support for refugees who have experienced trauma prior to coming to Australia. They offer a range of programs, curriculum materials and counselling services assisting school communities to develop a supportive environment for refugee students and their families. These range from early intervention programs to whole school initiatives and lesson ideas.

For more information, see Foundation House (http://www.foundationhouse.com.au/resources/publications_and_resources.htm)

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Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (CMYI)

CMYI is a community based organisation for young people from migrant or refugee backgrounds. Projects are targeted toward the personal learning and empowerment of youth, encouraging them to actively engage in school and community life.

Among a range of projects to support young people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities they offer:

  • a youth mentoring project
  • a leadership program.

Teachers are advised of a number of opportunities for youth to more effectively advocate and take action for their own needs, those of their peers and the community.

For more information, see: Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (http://www.cmyi.net.au)

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Immigration Museum

The Immigration Museum offers a range of services and professional learning opportunities for teachers seeking to develop themes and units of work around the immigration history of Victoria and Australia.

The museum offers resources to explain and explore immigration, cultural diversity and our migration stories such as the following:

  • teacher notes
  • school and excursion kits
  • pre- and post-visit activities.

Teachers have access to an online subscription service providing:

  • unlimited general entry to all museums
  • invitations to special events
  • a quarterly e-newsletter.

See: Museums Victoria (http://museumvictoria.com.au/ImmigrationMuseum)

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Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo can tailor professional learning and school visits to school needs. Teachers seeking to further engage students in studies of Asia can use the zoo education program to investigate the cultural and natural environment of an Asian village.

The Zoo offers free two hour sessions immersing primary and secondary teachers in authentic learning experiences with the potential to engage students in conservation issues and understand and relate to conflicts that arise in rainforest habitats.

For information, see: Zoos Victoria: Learning experiences (http://www.zoo.org.au/Learning)

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Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) offers:

  • consultancy services and general advice on equal opportunity
  • monitoring of complaint handling procedures.

The commission conducts workshops based on equal opportunity and human rights issues:

  • promoting safe sport
  • promoting inclusive practices
  • challenging homophobia
  • recruitment.

For information about the workshops and the Safe Schools resource see: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission: Education and consultancy (http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au)

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Victoria Association of TESOL and Multicultural Education (VATME)

VATME is a professional association committed to promoting excellence in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and to fostering and supporting cultural and linguistic diversity. VATME provides support and services to TESOL teachers working in schools and pre-schools, adult and community education, ELICOS centres, universities and industry settings.

See: Victorian Association of TESOL and Multicultural Education (http://www.vatme.vic.edu.au/about)

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Asia Education Foundation (AEF)

The Asia Education Foundation (AEF) is a joint activity of Asialink at the University of Melbourne and Curriculum Corporation. The AEF works in partnership with government and non-government education agencies, universities, philanthropic foundations and the corporate sector to:

  • promote and support the study of Asia across the curriculum
  • develop Asia-related print and electronic materials
  • promote the study of Asia through professional learning
  • educate the broader community about the importance of young Australians engaging with Asia.

For information about curriculum resources and professional learning programs, see Asia Education Foundation (http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/public_html/aef_intro.htm)