John Hargreaves is announcing the start of public consultation on the Draft Multicultural Strategy 2009 – 2012.
Apparently it is the fruit of the Multicultural Summit 2008. At just 23 pages (and one of them a novel “Acknowledgement of country”) it won’t take that long to wade through.
The principles outlined are interesting, particularly the responsibilities they plan to lump on you in the name of human rights, which some could view as restricting your own rights to freedom of thought and expression:
- — All individuals in the ACT have the right to maintain, practise and promote their culture and language.
— All individuals have the right to cultural expression and understanding (regardless of the adequacy of their English language skills).
— All individuals have the right to practise their religious and spiritual beliefs.
— All individuals have the right to equitable access to government services and programs.
— All individuals have the right to participate in, and to contribute to, the social, cultural and economic life of the community.
— All individuals have a responsibility to respect the culture, language and religion of others, within the legal and
constitutional framework set by the laws of the ACT and Australia.
— All individuals have a responsibility to treat everyone in a fair and respectful manner.
— All individuals have a responsibility to recognise and accept the linguistic and cultural assets of the ACT.
Feedback on the draft Strategy 2009-2012 should be directed to Rebecca Glasgow at the Office of Multicultural Affairs by 20 March 2009. Rebecca can be contacted on (02) 6205 5302 or rebecca.glasgow@act.gov.au .