Burmese Community Governance Project
The Burmese Community Governance Project aimed to
• build cohesiveness amongst the different small groups
• use the knowledge and skills of the few older established members
• Provide education to the key members including women and young people on democratic practice, equal opportunities, legal obligations, ethical considerations
• Develop, write and register a Constitution
• Elect an interim Management Committee
• Organise activities for their community to enhance settlement
• Participate in broader community activities and events
• Take up volunteering and work experience to further their employment pathways
The MRCSA conducted community consultations with the different groups of the Burmese community in Adelaide who expressed the need to have a formal infrastructure for representation to government and other agencies. The project was funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship as part of the 2008-2009 SGP program.
The first meeting with the community leaders confirmed their intention to form a Burmese organisation. The leaders consulted their community members and signified their support for the project. A series of training on the legal and ethical principles of community management was conducted with participation from the different ethnic and language groups. Due to the large number of participants in meetings and trainings, the community members nominated 11 community leaders including women, as interim members of their management committee to draft their constitution. The interim committee has started the drafting of the constitution and will present it to the community for approval.
The Burmese Chin community was assisted in staging the first Chin National Day in Adelaide attended by all the ethnic/language groups.
The interim community was assisted in applying for small grants with Parenting SA and Multicultural SA.
Specific Governance achievements:
• Over 50 people from a number of small groups have come together to receive training
• 11 women and men have been nominated to develop a Constitution for consultation with the community
• These men and women have been nominated for the interim Management Committee
• Completion of the Draft Constitution
• Presentation of the translated draft constitution to the different ethnic/language groups
• Election of Interim Office Bearers
• Registration as incorporated body
• Annual General Meeting
Read more:
Submitted by:
Regina Betts
Manager, Northern Area MRC
Migrant Resource Centre of SA
28 Mary St, Salisbury, SA, 5110
ph:(08) 8283 0844
email: regina@mrcsa.com.au
web: www.mrcsa.com.au
Categories:
Categories:Advocacy, Community Development, Governance, Women, Youth
Themes:Community Governance
Release Date:22-Jun-2009
Date of Study:22-Jun-2009
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