Project launched to help Arabic youth settle in Australia
December 03 2009 by Liam Clifford
Australian immigration announce plans to roll-out youth program.
A new
project being funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Diverse
Australia Programme intends to help Arabic-speaking youths who have moved to
Australia from other countries.
The We Are One programme will engage with
Arabic-speaking young people in the north western suburbs of Melbourne. Funding
of A$160,000 has been awarded to Victorian Arabic Social Services for the
project, which is intended to help the young people to settle in
Australia.
Laurie Ferguson from the Australian immigration department
says, “We Are One will address feelings of isolation and frustration often
expressed by young migrants due to low self-esteem, disengagement from education
and lack of knowledge regarding their rights.” He added, "This project will
engage youth with education and empower them to choose positive pathways for the
future.”
It is hoped that the project will help deal with emerging issues
such as racial tension and religious intolerance, encouraging people who have
moved to Australia to become involved in their communities in a positive
way.
Ferguson says that part of the Australian immigration program parents and teachers will also undergo awareness
training as part of the project to help support the young immigrants.
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