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. Recruitment is happening over early to mid 2010, of 18 to 25 year olds from multicultural backgrounds.
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.
Get the latest buzz below.
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
Water 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...
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Thursday, 4 October 2007
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- 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 |
