Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability
Young migrants and refugees might be new to the country but they are often passionate about the environment. That’s why were working with them to help them make a difference.
Through our Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability program, we provide young migrants and refugees with the leadership skills they need to help their communities live more sustainably.
We take them on a four month training program in leadership and sustainability. Then we help them run their own sustainability projects, taking the message straight to migrant and refugee communities. Our successful graduates are awarded the Certificate I in Active Volunteering, which helps them on their path towards further study or employment.
The response is always enthusiastic. As one participant said:
‘I felt excited to learn new things on the MLS program. Speaking in public is very hard for me but now I know I have something important for people to hear.’
The program is a great way for young people new to Victoria to learn more about their new home and the environmental challenges we face. And it is a great way for us to learn about them. Coming from countries as diverse as Sudan, Pakistan and Mauritius, they each bring unique perspectives and knowledge to the program.
We’ve run the Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability program since 2007, in partnership with our friends at the Centre for Multicultural Youth. So far, we’ve run the program in Melbourne and Dandenong, and in Noble Park with students from the Adult Migrant Education Service. In 2010 it is running in Sunshine, in partnership with the Centre for Multicultural Youth, Brimbank City Council and City West Water.
Our multicultural leaders have already had a positive impact on our environment, with our 2008 graduates reducing their emissions by 17 per cent, and distributing 450 low-energy light globes and 60 low-flow showerheads to their communities. They also delivered six community presentations and sustainability workshops to schools, community centres and faith organisation.
Over the years, Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability has been funded by a whole range of foundations, companies and government bodies coming together. This has included the Victorian Government Community Support Fund, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, Metlink, the Ledger Charitable Trust and the Norman H. Johns Trust (managed by Perpetual Trustees), Foster's Group Community Grants, the Jack Brockhoff Foundation, the Reichstein Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation and the Fouress Foundation. In 2010, MLS is being funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Foster’s Community Grants, The ETA Basan Charitable Trust (managed by Trust Company Limited), Ivor Ronald Evans Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees), Brimbank City Council and City West Water.
Hear the stories from the MLS 2010 three day camp
Watch the 15 minute film on Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability here
Read the evaluation report from when we ran MLS in Noble Park in 2009 here
Find out what all the buzz is about, below.
Community climate change work wins an ‘Oscar of Australian Science’
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Environment Victoria’s hands-on work with the community has won the $10,000 Eureka Prize for the Advancement of Climate Change Knowledge.
The prize...
moreWater saving showers forecast for Australia Day
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Young migrants and multicultural youth will use Australia Day to help protect our country’s most precious natural resource by exchanging 1000 free water saving showerheads in the City of Casey./p...
moreYoung migrants to take leading role in protecting their new environment
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Young Victorians will assist migrant and refugee youth to implement strategies that reduce water and energy consumption in their local communities.
The Youth Eco-Challenge II...
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Twitter
Happy World Environment Day!
Celebrate by getting involved in one of these local actions
From Hollywood stars to schoolchildren, millions of people on every continent will take action for the planet on 5 June for World Environment Day/a...
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Make your winter sustainably toasty
with these tips for a warm house
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Get into composting, worm farms and bokashi
and make our environment happy forever and a day
Composting your food scraps using a compost bin, worm farm or bokashi bucket will do oodles of good for your household and our planet. It will cut your greenhouse gas emissions, halve your rubbish, reduce waste that ends up...
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What’s your vision for Victoria?
Have your voice heard!
In 2010, both the state and federal governments go to the polls. And what better opportunity to put a little pressure on those pollies and get the policies we need for our environment.
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Invest in ethical funds
and make a positive difference
One great way to safeguard our environment is by choosing an ethical fund or savings account. We sense a bit of eyebrow raising, but it is fair dinkum…
Ethical investment is about making sure you know what your money is doing...
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Flickr
- Victoria: green and growing |
- The Quick Guide To Sustainable Living |
- The Victorian Green Renters' Guide: Sustainable Living Tips for Renters |
- Peak oil and Victoria |
- State budget submission 2009–10 |
- Victoria - the Green Jobs State. Siezing the opportunities |
- Towards climate safe homes |
- Victoria: The Green Jobs State - creating a green, prosperous and socially inclusive Victoria |
- Green Jobs Summit - Program |
- Green Jobs Summit - Tony Nicholson, CEO, Brotherhood of St Laurence |
