The Viva Eclectika (VE) Forum and Workshop

The Viva Eclectika (VE) Forum and Workshop
Inspiring positive race relations. Creative fusions. New possibilities in diversity.

• The biennial Viva Eclectika Challenge will celebrate its tenth year in August 2009.
• The VE Forum and Workshop will be an opportunity for you to find out how you could start developing an intercultural dance item according to the VE criteria set.
• The panellists will include the VE founder and choreographer/s of past VE winners.
• You will view a sample of past VE winning performances and have a better understanding of the choreography involved.

Venue: St Philips Church Hall, 92 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers

Muslim youth finding common ground with the Police

6:30-9:30pm

The forum builds on the theme of Islam Awareness Week 2008 “Strong Families – Better Society" with a focus on Muslim youth.  A panel involving members of the NZ Police will discuss police strategies to deal with issues pertaining to safety, religion etc and respond to concerns identified by Muslim youth.

Standards for engagement: A workshop for community organisations working with government agencies

1pm

[DF01]

Standards for engagement: A workshop for community organisations working with government agencies

ChangeMakers Refugee Forum will host a workshop on Standards for Engagement. This document draws on a community agency's experience of working with local and central government agencies and NGOs.

ChangeMakers Refugee Forum invite you to participate in a workshop on developing empowering relationships with local and central government agencies and NGOs from a consumer group's perspective. You will hear about their experience and a reflection from a government agency. This will be set in the context of deepening the dialogue amongst community agencies and groups and how they engage with local and central government.

Sue Driver sue@crf.org.nz or Adam Awad adam@crf.org.nz.

Venue: Reception lounge, Town Hall, 301 Queen St

The Benefits of Diversity: Panel discussion

1pm

[DF02]

The Benefits of diversity: Panel discussion

Population-based agencies have recently commissioned research on the benefits of diversity.  In this session, the Office of Ethnic Affairs will bring together panellists from various sectors. The panellists will address the issues related to ethnic diversity that comes from immigration and how this contributes to New Zealand’s economic and social development. The session will draw on local and overseas examples.

Venue: Council chambers, Town Hall, 301 Queen St

Dialogue: Finding common ground

Key Maori, Pacific and Ethnic personalities reflect on their culture, identities, differences and similarities as they debate "Are We More Similar Than Different?". The debate aims to entertain, enlighten and educate the audience on the not so obvious similarities as well as celebrate the existing diversity between cultures in Aotearoa New Zealand. The debate will contribute to the Ten Steps to Promoting Cultural Diversity by creating dialogue between people of different views and cultures.

Contact: Ann Dysart, Manager Community Relationships, Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development. Ph 04 916 3767 ann.dysart001@msd.govt.nz

Venue: Reception lounge, Auckland Town Hall, 301 Queen St

Faiths in Harmony Concert

5-7pm

[DF05]    

Faiths in Harmony Concert

On Sunday 24 August the Faiths in Harmony Concert will take place on the eve of the Plenary Forum. 

The Buddhist Temple in Papatoetoe, Manukau City, in conjunction with Manukau City Council and Human Rights Commission, will host a multi-faith music event. This event will bring together faith communities from the Papatoetoe area, who will showcase their religious-based music.

Register for this event early as there are limited spaces.

Starts at 5pm and goes until 7pm. Refreshments will be served at  7pm

 Contact Nimi Bedi to secure a place. Tel: 9 278 9025| M: 027 243 4402. Manmohan.Bedi@manukau.govt.nz

Venue: Buddhist Temple, 204 Great South Road, Papatoetoe

The sustained dialogue approach

9am

[DF05]

The sustained dialogue approach

This workshop would provide an opportunity to present a background to a community based sustained dialogue approach, together with some examples of its current use, to interested forum participants. 

The NZ Social and Civic Policy Institute has funding from the ASB Community Trust to facilitate a series of community forums in the Auckland area using a deliberative dialogue approach to explore issues concerning community views on “diverse communities living together in New Zealand”. Our programme includes training for local dialogue moderators and others who are interested in supporting a sustained dialogue approach, providing a tool-kit on using a sustained dialogue approach and facilitating pilot sustained dialogues. 

David Robinson davidjrobinson@xtra.co.nz 

Venue: Ground Floor, meeting room (boardroom), Auckland Town Hall, 301 Queen St

Diversity through critical literacy

9am

[DF06]

Diversity through critical literacy

Critical literacy is a way of analysing and understanding texts. It provides students with the skills to critically evaluate images and ideas, and examine the assumptions, and implications behind them.

This session will use some tools of critical literacy to investigate diversity. What is our relationship to diversity? How do we use language to engage with diversity? Can we develop an ethical approach and attitude to difference?

The session will be a mixture of exploratory activities, which will also be useful in the classroom, and discussion. This session is useful for teachers and educators, but everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information please contact Cindy Munn at cindy@globaled.org.nz (04) 496 9591.

Venue: Conference room, Pioneer Women's Hall, Cnr High Street and Freyberg Place

Going Global:
Intercultural communication and
global connectedness

9am

[DF07]

Going Global: Intercultural communication and global connectedness

Global markets, international workplaces, diverse societies; tapping into multicultural work teams, living in a multicultural society, serving a diverse clientele:  how does your organisation manage intercultural relations and interactions? 

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has an intercultural advisory team who is equipped with resources and frameworks to assist public sector and interested parties in this area. You are invited to this session which will showcase selected resources to assist you in strengthening your organisation's intercultural competencies.

Venue: Council Chambers, Auckalnd Town Hall, 301 Queen Street

Building Bridges: Working with the Muslim Community

9am

[DF08]

A Framework for Multiculturalism in NZ

NOW 2pm (*time change)

[DF09]

 Click here for details.

Diverse Communities: Do the New Zealand Police meet  your needs?

9am

[DF10]

Diverse Communities: Do the New Zealand Police meet your needs?

An overview of the NZ Police engagement model followed by an open and frank discussion in response to recent incidents involving police and diverse communities.

Chaired by Superintendent Wallace Haumaha NZ Police - Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services.

Venue: The Edge, NZI One Room, 50 Mayoral Drive

Media Diversity Forum:
What's happening, what needs to happen?

9am - noon

[DF22]

Media Diversity Forum: What's happening, what needs to happen?
Hosted by AUT Pacific Media Centre and Human Rights Commission  

Does the media reflect our diverse society fairly? What challenges do reporters and editors face to meet this challenge? Featuring special guest, Arlene Morgan, Columbia School of Journalism, the launch of two publications from the AUT Pacific Media Centre:  Media and Development: Issues and Challenges in the Pacific Islands (edited by Shailendra Singh and Biman C. Prasad) and  South Pacific Islands Communication: Regional Perspectives, Local Issues (edited by Evangelia Papoutsaki and Usha Sundar Harris) and a demonstration of the new Pacific DSpace digital database.

Venue: Nga Wai Horotiu Marae, AUT University, 55 Wellesley St, Auckland

Claiming our identities and responsibilities

10am - noon

[DF11]

Claiming our identities and responsibilities: A reflection on the experiences of Maori workers in asserting and supporting diversity in the workplace and in the union movement

This session hosted by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Runanga will share and reflect on our experiences around the framing and promotion the indigenous values of whanaungatanga (solidarity/relationships) in the workplace and in the union movement. In articulating and developing our practice of whanaungatanga as an organising strategy we will reflect on how this embraces and supports communities of diversity in the workplace and the broader union moment. The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Runanga will reflect on the relationship developed with Pasefika and other new migrant workers organising in the workplace.

Please contact: Helen Te Hira and Syd Keepa, Te Runanga o NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi. Email: helent@nzctu.org.nz or phone 09 303 9018 or 021 0554969. See also www.nzctu.org.nz.

Venue: Level 12, Unite Building, 300 Queen St

Museums & Galleries: Working with the communities – who are they and what do they want?

A panel of museum and art gallery professionals will explore the needs and wants of our audiences, and their experiences of working with these communities at the beginning to the session, to be followed by discussion and feedback. This forum will allow attendees the opportunity to network, discuss and debate issues relating to ethnic relations. Please note that this forum is open to  museum and gallery staff.

Speakers: Stephen Ruscoe, Exhibition Manager, Canterbury Museum; Helen Kedgley and Bob Maysmor, Museum Curators, Pataka Museum of Arts & Cultures; Bevan Chuang, Arts Ambassador Coordinator, Spotlight on Diversity Programme, Creative NZ.  Chair: Phillipa Tocker, Executive Director, Museums Aotearoa.

Contact: Diane Blomfield, Auckland War Memorial Museum. Ph 09 306 7087, dblomfield@aucklandmuseum.com  

Venue: Board Room, Auckland Museum, The Domain

This event will launch the My God DVD series. My God is a 10 part half hour television series produced by Pacific Crews Productions hosted by Chris Nichol exploring and celebrating the spiritual diversity of New Zealanders. Each programme focuses on the lifestyle and spiritual beliefs of one NZ personality. At the launch, Series One and Two will be available to the public for the first time at a special forum offer.

Religious Diversity Forum

Discrimination, harassment, desecration: How safe are religious minorities?

1.30-4.30pm

[DF12]

Religious Diversity Forum
Discrimination, Harassment and Desecration:
How Safe is NZ for Religious Minorities and The Alliance of Civilisations: NZ’s Plan of Action

The focus of this year’s annual Religious Diversity Forum is on the principles of safety and freedom from discrimination set out in the Statement on Religious Diversity. There will also be a discussion on New Zealand’s Action Plan to Support the Alliance of Civilisations.

The purpose of the Forum is to develop practical steps that can be taken to ensure that the human right to practice one’s religion or belief in safety and without discrimination is available for all New Zealanders.  Amongst others, there will be presentations from the NZ Police, Islamic Women’s Council and the Sikh Centre.

This will be followed by a presentation on the NZ Plan of action to Support the Alliance of Civilisations. The discussion will include representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, Office of Ethnic Affairs, MFAT and HRC.

For further information contact nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz

Venue: The Edge, NZI One Room, Aotea  Centre,  50 Mayoral Dr

Connecting diverse communities:
- Findings from public engagement 

1.30pm

[DF13]

Connecting Diverse Communities: Findings from the public engagement process and case studies of connected communities

In 2007 the Office of Ethnic Affairs and Ministry of Social Development conducted a public engagement process around New Zealand on issues of social cohesion and strengthening relations between our diverse communities.  This is included discussions held at two sessions of the Diversity Forum, one of which was with the youth participants.

The first half of this session will present findings from the 15 meetings which brought together people from various ethnic, cultural and religious communities. The second half of the session will showcase the experience of individuals and agencies in building connections with different communities and highlight lessons that could be learned.

Venue: The Edge, NZI Three Room, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr

Languages in schools: Schools in communities

1.30pm (*time change)

[DF14]

Languages in schools: Schools in communities

The new New Zealand curriculum includes a new learning area for Learning Languages. It envisages all students having the opportunity to develop language acquisition and intercultural skills to enable them to participate more actively in New Zealand's diverse multicultural society and in the global community. All schools teaching year 7-10 students should now be working towards offering opportunities for students to learn at least one additional language. This is a major change that is going to present significant challenges. The Human Rights Commission is hosting this workshop in association with the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Commission for UNESCO to look at how this can be achieved. It will also look at engagement between schools and minority language communities and how they can cooperate to increase learning opportunities for both schools and communities. For further information please contact Tina Chiles at tinac@hrc.co.nz.

A Welcome that works! 
Supporting employers to manage diversity in their workplace

A Framework for Multiculturalism in New Zealand

2pm (*time change)

[DF09]

A Framework for Multiculturalism in New Zealand

The New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils has recently launched a proposal for a Multiculturalism Act and a Framework for Mulitculturalism in New Zealand.  Its purpose is to ensure that every individual is equal, the history and heritage of all ethnicities are nurtured and protected equally, and all social, cultural, economic and political institutions are assisted in adopting an inclusive approach to their endeavours. It recognises the special status of Maori as tangata whenua and their special rights under the Treaty of Waitangi.  This forum will provide an opportunity to become more familiar with the proposal and to discuss what it would mean in policy and practice.

Venue: Councillor's Lounge, Town Hall, 301 Queen St
NB: Numbers restricted.

Languages in schools: Schools in communities

1.30pm (*time change)

[DF14]

Languages in schools: Schools in communities

Collaboration: Sharing and
developing practice

2pm (*time change)

[DF15]

Collaboration: Sharing and developing practice

Key note speakers from within Central and Local Government, NGOs and Community groups discuss their experience of and aspirations for collaboration within New Zealand. The speakers will provide the lead in discussion to the workshop session that will follow.

Contact: Ann Dysart, Manager Community Relationships, Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development. Ph 04 916 3767 ann.dysart001@msd.govt.nz

Venue: Reception lounge, Auckland Town Hall, 301 Queen St

Racial harassment and discrimination:
Who can help?

2pm

[DF16]

Racial Harrassment and Discrimination: Who can help?

Hosted by the Human Rights Commission, this workshop will be of particular interest to people from referral agencies, ethnic community organisations, law centres and other community advisory services, as well as the general public. It will introduce people to the various agencies that exist to investigate, mediate and resolve complaints of racial harassment and discrimination. Which is the right agency to deal with for which complaints and enquiries? The Police, the Human Rights Commission, the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the Health and Disability Commissioner, the Press Council, the Advertising Standards Authority, the Employment Relations Authority or who else? How do you contact them? What are the processes involved? What can and cannot be done? What information is available? What are some of the outcomes they have achieved?

Intercultural dialogue: building social cohesion

The Intercultural Advisory team facilitates Authentic Dialogue sessions to promote intercultural learning and discourse on key issues and challenges relating to ethnic and cultural diversity.

 The ‘Keeping it Real’ DVD is a collection of video clips taken from real life encounters in Aotearoa/ New Zealand between people from different social and cultural backgrounds. It highlights a range of issues and challenges that arise from increasing cultural and ethnic diversity in the workplace and community. It deals specifically with issues of language, accent, stereotypes, settlement, and inter-generational challenges.

Effective Treaty Relationships

2pm

[DF18]

Effective Treaty Relationships

The Human Rights Commission has been working with Tangata Whenua and central and local government to identify examples of good practice in Crown-Tangata Whenua relationships. A monthly Commission newsletter, Whitiwhiti Korero, reports on specific relationships that both parties consider are working well, and is distributed to a wide network. This workshop, hosted by the Human Rights Commission, will bring together people in the network and others to examine effective Treaty relationships between Tangata Whenua and the Crown and to identify the key elements that contribute to their effectiveness. For further information please contact Bill Hamilton at billh@hrc.co.nz

Venue: Whare Wananga Room, Auckland City Central Library, 44-46 Lorne St

How refugees and migrants interact with the law

3-5.30pm

[DF19]

How refugees and migrants interact with the law
Presented by the Auckland Law School’s Equal Justice Project (EJP) 

Ever thought the law was a static and distant concept? This seminar puts the thought to rest with an interactive four-person panel both asking and answering the question of how our laws and policies deal with refugee and migrant communities. These diverse and varied cultural groups form an increasingly vital part of New Zealand’s future, and the seminar explores how well our law addresses the social/cultural/economic issues that face our communities. Topics explored will be as diverse as the personal experience of going through the refugee process, how different policies impact new migrants, and the human rights implications of economic migration. Join the debate on the changing face of New Zealand.

Venue: Main Campus, University of Auckland, City Campus 

Building common ground through human rights-based education

3pm

[DF20]

Building common ground through human rights-based education

How can our early childhood education centres and schools acknowledge, celebrate and harness diversity while building our common ground? Backed by the Children’s Commissioner, Human Rights Commission and three leading nongovernmental organisations, schools are beginning in work on the requirement of the revised curriculum that respect for self, others and human rights...is encouraged, modeled and explored" and evident in the school’s philosophy, structures, curriculum, classrooms, and relationships".

When Hampshire County Council in England were told to expect an influx of new immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds, they searched for a common values framework that could be a reference point for schools. The adoption of a human rights and responsibilities approach to school life has had significant effects: improved relationships in the classroom, greater interest in people from diverse backgrounds, and greater participation, engagement and achievement in education generally.

This session will explore the implications for diversity of the broad collaborative initiative to develop our schools and early childhood education centres as human rights-respecting, rights-promoting communities, and explore the challenges and opportunities. All welcome, but especially parents, teachers, school trustees and ECE managers.

Contact ced.simpson@rightsined.org.nz (04-496 9517)

Venue: Ground Floor, meeting room (boardroom), Auckand Town Hall, 301 Queen St

Diversity in the Arts

3pm - 4:30pm

[DF21]

Diversity in the Arts

Creative New Zealand, Auckland City Council and the ASB Community Trust will host a session which looks at strategic initiatives for engaging Asians in the Arts. The session will provide information and insight into: 

• Asian Aucklanders and the Arts: attitudes, attendance and participation in 2006 - key research findings
• Spotlight on Divesity Ambassadors' Scheme: a peer-to-peer strategy for growing Asian Audiences
• Asian Aucklanders Strategic Action Framework: a partnership strategy by Creative New Zealand, Auckland City Council and the ASB Community Trust
  

Venue: Fukuoka and Brisbane Rooms, Level 5, Cnr Queen and Wakefield Sts, 360 Queen Street 

• Keynote address on Finding Common Ground
• Launch of the Statement on Race Relations
• Winners of the 2008 Race Unity Secondary Schools Speech Competition
• Annual Youth Challenge from the National Youth Forum on Cultural Diversity
• Focus on Diversity in the Health Sector including the global market for health professionals and managing a diverse workforce
• Election 08

• A case study on Pacific Peoples in New Zealand, including the release of the Race Relations Commissioner’s report on Massey academic Greg Clydesdale’s discussion paper
• Speakers on what Pacific Peoples can expect from the media and from universities
• Current data on the economic, social and cultural contribution of Pacific peoples to New Zealand.