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 we're 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. The project was designed by Environment Victoria and the Centre for Multicultural Youth. 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. So far, we’ve run the program in Melbourne, Dandenong, Sunshine and Noble Park. In 2011, we're running MLS in partnership with AMES at the St Albans AMES English language school, with support again from Brimbank City Council and City West Water.
Our multicultural leaders have already had a positive impact on our environment, with our 2010 graduates saving 18 tonnes of greenhouse gases and more than 500,000 litres of water. They also delivered presentations to their communities on sustainability, took community members to learn about water issues at a reservoir, and held a multicultural planting day to plant native grasses along the Kororoit Creek.
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, City West Water, and AMES.
Check out our new sustainability translations - in languages from Amharic to Zomi!
MLS 2011 participants help restore grasslands
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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 |
