As we say bye to 2021, with a heavy heart we also say goodbye to our beloved project, The WISE Collective.
Experts urge migrants to be proactive & vocal following new immigration laws
Collective call for New Zealand government to do more for refugees globally
Belong Aotearoa alongside leading organisations working in the resettlement (refugee background) sector is calling on the New Zealand Government to play a greater role in responding to the international refugee crisis, ahead of the Global Refugee Forum (Geneva, December 17 – 18, 2019).
The open letter signed by members of civil society, former refugee leaders, resettlement, humanitarian and faith-based organisations calls on the Government to commit to three pledges that will advance the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees which New Zealand is signed to. The three pledges are:
Strengthen former refugee leadership, including youth leadership and capacity, in policy-making;
Establish the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship category as a permanent and additional pathway in New Zealand’s broader refugee and humanitarian programme;
Increase the number of places available per year under the Refugee Family Support Category.
Rochana Sheward, CEO, Belong Aotearoa, said: “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of providing a safe home for people seeking refuge from conflict, disaster, persecution, violence and violations of human rights. We may be a small nation, but we have the capacity to have an even greater impact on the international refugee crisis.”
“The Global Refugee Forum is an opportunity to pledge to do more and at the same time enhance the resettlement, integration and inclusion of former refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand,” she said.
“The three pledges will help build an inclusive Aotearoa where resettled communities have positive resettlement experiences, feel welcomed, connected, valued and respected in their new home and have opportunities to participate and contribute meaningfully.
“People from refugee backgrounds bring incredible strengths, knowledge, skills & resilience to this country and their contributions to communities all over Aotearoa New Zealand need to be acknowledged and valued,” Mrs Sheward said.
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Belong Aotearoa (formerly known as Auckland Regional Migrant Services) focuses on enhancing successful settlement, integration and inclusion for newcomers (both migrant and refugee background) through addressing the systemic barriers such as social isolation, underemployment and racism and discrimination.
Belong Aotearoa is a member of the Auckland Resettlement Sector Steering Group (ARSSG) which brings together representatives of key agencies in the Auckland resettlement sector to enhance interagency collaboration, strengthen the collective voice of resettled (refugee-background) communities and advocate for improved support and services.
Media contact:
Malu Malo-Fuiava
Marcomms and Fundraising Manager
09-625 2440 extn. 904
Shaping our Futures Together Hui – Strengthening cross-cultural relationships
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 August 2019
Building connected and inclusive communities based on solidarity between tangata whenua and ethnic communities is the focus of the Shaping our Futures Together Hui, September 6, co-hosted by Belong Aotearoa and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
The hui will include keynote speaker, the recently appointed Race Relations Commissioner Mr Meng Foon, plus other speakers highlighting opportunities to strengthen allyship, based on respect, shared and different experiences of injustice and intertwined futures.
Board Chair of Belong Aotearoa, formerly Auckland Regional Migrant Services, Rahul Watson Govindan sees the hui as a platform to inspire cross-cultural mahi.
“Working together we can build a caring and inclusive Aotearoa where many cultures are woven together in a celebration of diversity, connectedness and belonging. When our mahi is underpinned by Te Tiriti, we can strengthen inclusion,” Mr Watson Govindan said.
“In our work, we are seeing a huge appetite for positive change through collaboration. Through this hui we’re excited to be able to share some great examples of partnerships between Māori and ethnic communities that are strengthening inclusion, equity and the wellbeing of communities,” he said.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Aukaha Tauira Experience Shanan Halbert has seen first-hand how diverse communities thrive in a learning environment that is guided by Māori principles and values. He is excited to see how this hui opens up opportunities for these principles and values to lead the way to connection and inclusion in other spaces.
“This hui will be a great opportunity to showcase biculturalism as a pathway to multiculturalism that is led by Māori principles and values. It highlights the very real implications of diversity with a way forward, that respects tangata whenua and non-Māori, saying that yes, together we can shape our future,” Mr Halbert said.
Hui details:
Title: Shaping our Futures Together Hui
Date: Friday 6 September, 2019
Time: 9.15am – 12.30pm (followed by lunch)
Location: Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, 15 Canning Drive, Mangere
RSVP: By 30 Aug 2019 to: communications@belong.org.nz
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Media contact:
Malu Malo-Fuiava
Marcomms and Fundraising Manager
09-625 2440 extn. 4
About Belong Aotearoa (Formerly known as Auckland Regional Migrant Services Trust - ARMS)
Vision: An inclusive, connected New Zealand where newcomer communities are able to enjoy and contribute towards our collective wellbeing and prosperity.
Mission: Driving innovation to improve newcomer settlement and integration.
We are a specialist settlement support agency, providing targeted initiatives for newcomers (migrants and refugees) across Auckland.
To find out more about Belong Aotearoa visit www.belong.org.nz
About Te Wānanga O Aotearoa
Vision: He takapau mātauranga, he whanau huarewa (Whānau transformation through education)
Mission: Kia angitu te tauira (Tauira Success)
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa is one of New Zealand's largest tertiary education providers offering a comprehensive range of certificate to degree level qualifications to New Zealanders of all ages and walks of life. Guided by Māori principles and values, to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment, with the depth and diversity of courses
To find out more about TWOA visit https://www.twoa.ac.nz