S11: Identifying best practice for multicultural engagement through media

Time: 1:35pm – 2:25pm
Location: Chapman Room
Facilitator: Nickie Flambouras, Manager, Community Engagement, Multicultural NSW

11.1 Co-creating ecosystems of digital services for newly arrived refugees: addressing communications barriers and promoting effective collaboration strategy

Professor Walter Fernandez & Dr Sandeep Mysore Seshadrina
University of New South Wales

Shama Pande
CORE Community Services 

About the presentation

How can we provide newly arrived people with all relevant information in their language as quickly and effectively as possible? We have been working on a purpose-built system to address such informational needs for the last five years and believe that effective collaboration strategies can help overcome multiple communication barriers. Recently, we developed a digital platform with the help of CORE Community Services, TAFE NSW, NSW Health, and Digital Fabrik gGmbH (Digital Factory), an award-winning German not-for-profit platform provider. Our shared vision is to promote cultural engagement through communication and understanding between cultures with the help of effective digital solutions. In this presentation, we will share our experience co-creating a digital platform for newly arrived refugees, including insights from our workshops with service providers and members of the refugee community in Fairfield. 

About the presenters

Professor Walter Fernandez PhD is Emeritus Professor at UNSW Sydney and a recognised expert in managing programs and complex projects. Walter's work focuses on the transformational benefits of technology in business, government, and society. As an active member of the international information systems community, Walter serves as Senior Editor and Associate Editor for top-tier international journals and Program Co-Chair for the International Conference on Information Systems 2023 and has served in many leadership roles. Walter moved to academe in 2003 after almost twenty years of practice in corporate Australia.

Shama Pande is a Service Manager at CORE Community Services with over a decade of experience in community development and engagement. Shame manages several state and federal funding, including Settlement Services, Domestic and Family Violence Services, Neighbourhood Centre and the Hub. She has a Master of Social Work, University of Sydney; a Master of Communication and Journalism, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Nepal; and is undertaking a Bachelor of Law, University of New England. Shama is passionate about social justice, equity and inclusion and works with vulnerable communities to build capacity to overcome inequality and complex social problems.

Dr Sandeep Mysore Seshadrinath is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems and Technology Management at UNSW Business School. He holds a PhD in Business & Management from Loughborough University, UK. His research interests lie in the social study of information systems, focusing on digitally enabled social transformations. Before joining academia, he worked for a public policy think tank in Bangalore, India, with a research focus on decentralised e-governance and rural infrastructure projects. He was also a software engineer in a large global software services firm.

11.2 Improving Digital Literacy in CALD communities 

Vlasta Gunning & Grace Nabhan
Navitas Skilled Futures

About the presentation

Navitas Skilled Futures is contracted by Australian government agencies to deliver programs that help students from diverse backgrounds to improve their English language and employability skills. Since 1990, we’ve helped over 300,000 people live their best lives by delivering the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program to job-seekers with language, literacy and numeracy barriers.

About the presenters

Vlasta Gunning - A language teacher and educator since 1995, experienced in teaching a number of languages across the world. English as a second language teacher for 17 years, teaching English to CALD communities in Australia since 2006. Highly skilled in Inter-cultural Communication, Teaching Languages other than English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Educational Assessment and Quality Assurance.  Highly experienced in delivering curricula-based training and training packages in the CALD sector, including foundation skills programs, digital learning and vocational education. Currently working as the Lead Quality Assurance at Navitas Skilled Futures

Grace Nabhan - English Language teacher since 2012 experience in teaching in Distance Learning, and face to face classes. Have taught across different levels and programs teaching English to CALD communities preparing them for settlement and employment in Australia.  Highly skilled in integrating technology in delivery and for the past 2 and half years working as a mentor for staff to help them integrate technology into their lessons with workshops and 1-1 training, designing learning materials and training teachers to design interactive learning materials using an LMS. Currently working as an Academic Team Leader at one of the colleges in Southwest Sydney for Navitas Skilled Futures.

11.3 Communicating for Social Participation 

Mr David Hua
SBS

About the presentation 

The purpose of this presentation is to share how communicating in-language contributes to social participation for multicultural audiences. At the end of the presentation, delegates will understand the impacts of in-language communication related to:

• Crises – e.g. COVID, floods
• Social/political activities
• Cultural celebrations

About the presenter

David Hua is the Director of Audio and Language Content and has over 20 years experience in the media industry. He has held several senior executive roles at the ABC, and has been responsible for diverse portfolios across content, marketing, commercial, radio, and digital. Most recently, he led the ABC's international services including ABC Radio Australia, ABC Australia (TV), and digital services that connect audiences around the world with Australian stories.