Maribyrnong signs up to Intercultural City Program
Published on 30 July 2018
Maribyrnong City Council has agreed to sign on to the Intercultural Cities Program that will enable it to embrace and promote intercultural inclusion and better address current challenges relating to the welcoming and settlement of diverse communities into our City.
Council agreed to become a member of the Intercultural Cities program, which is a Council of Europe initiative, at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday July 24, 2018.
Mayor Cuc Lam and CEO Stephen Wall, are scheduled to sign a Statement of Intent with the Council of Europe, to become a member of the Intercultural Cities Program.
The Statement of Intent will encourage Council to identify a set of objectives, indicators and a plan of action that will assist it to develop its own unique Intercultural Strategy.
In signing the Statement of Intent, the City of Maribyrnong will become a member of the Intercultural Cities network and be able to participate in the program. The program aims to support cities around the world to develop or revise their intercultural strategies to more effectively manage diversity and the social inclusion of migrants.
Mayor Cr Cuc Lam said the government-funded program has 46 member States and defines a successful intercultural city as a city where political leaders and most citizens regard diversity positively.
“This is a city that actively combats discrimination and adapts its governance, institutions and services to the needs of a diverse population,” Cr Lam said. “The city has a strategy and tools to deal with diversity and cultural conflict. It encourages greater mixing and interaction between diverse groups in public spaces.
“As a member of the program, Council will have a task list which includes allocating staff time, political support and resources towards the program’s strategy and action plan and report on its progress to the Council of Europe.
“Maribyrnong will become the fourth Australian city to join the Intercultural Cities Program, after Ballarat, Salisbury in South Australia and Logan in Queensland.”