Australia’s 2008-09 humanitarian program intake: Africa, the Middle East and Asia will EACH be equally allocated a 33 percent intake in the main offshore program, with the remaining one percent allocated for contingencies. The program consists of up to 13,500 places - and 500 additional places for Iraqi refugees. Details at Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans site. (posted 12 July 08)

African communities endorse HIV project Research shows there is increased support for HIV initiatives among African-Australian communities in NSW today, according to the Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service (MHAHS). Interviews with African communities show MHAHS initiatives have improved community support for more HIV work. Recommendations from the research include increasing collaboration with key services working directly with African communities, recognising ethnic and linguistic diversity within African communities, offering relevant training to workers from African backgrounds, and engaging young women through culturally appropriate strategies. Also see www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au (posted 12 March 08)

A major national project to examine the experiences of African Australians is under way this year - including human rights, housing, education, health and employment - details on Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission site
(posted February 08)

Africans on Screen is a new initiative from Sydney's ICE to promote African Australian film-making - see ICE website and also SMH article: Finding a boss who sees more than your skin

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NEW Guide to Employment for Skilled Migrants
released by Parramatta MRC - now available as PDF file online at www.bhhpmrc.org.au (posted 3 Feb 07)

Acclaimed Sudanese English Language program to start in Sydney
SAIL (a volunteer run, non-profit secular program that provides free English support and Community Services to the Sudanese refugee population in Melbourne - see the website at www.SAILProgram.org.au) is now starting up in Sydney! Its first campus will be at the Seven Hills Community Centre (Artillery Crescent) in the Blacktown region. SAIL is looking for a locally based Sudanese family of six to be the first students to recieve English tutoring Saturday mornings for 1.5 - 2hrs, from approximately 10:30am. If you have any suggestions or require further info on this campus, contact Sydney based coordinator Sophie Ross at scarletproductions@hotmail.com (posted 14 Jan 07)

Paper on refugee young people Victoria's Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues has just released Settling In: Exploring Good Settlement for Refugee Young People in Australia (PDF link to full report) with a range of recommendations taking into account the changing profile of humanitarian entrants where many have spent extended periods in refugee camps, and what this means for employment, education etc. The paper notes a shift away from settlers from the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia) & former Yugoslavia towards those from ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan, and a smaller but growing number from countries in West and Central Africa (including Liberia, Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Rwanda and Burundi). (posted 3 Jan 07)

Study on immigrants from Somalia to Australia The study by Dr Renu Narchal from University of Western Sydney explores loneliness experienced by Somali immigrants - contributing to knowledge of the adjustment processes in settlement. Full report available as PDF file (attached) (posted 1 Jan 07)

Free Settlement Service for New Migrants and Refugees in St. George Area, Sydney St. George Migrant Resource Centre assists migrants and refugees of all languages and backgrounds with settlement information and assistance with accessing other services. The Caseworker also provides outreach service at Georges River Community Service at Mortdale and Hurstville Library on Thursday. For inquiries and appointments, please call (02) 9597 5455 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.(posted 1 Jan 07)

New community settlement officer, African Communities Council NSW Beatrice Sesay ph (02) 9558 0999 mob 0422 873919. The African Communities Council NSW provides information, referral, advocacy, general settlement services and community development for African communities in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. The settlement officer services Marrickville, Rockdale, Bankstown areas (posted 1 Jan 07)

African Settlement in Australia conference 2007 The inaugural African Settlement in Australia conference coming up at the Universisity of Melbourne in April 2007 - A series of keynote addresses, case studies and presentations on: settlement needs, community building, acclimatisation, gender roles, health and wellbeing, employment, youth, education, and African family values, and cultural awareness. Currently calling for papers. See africanOz What's On page. (posted 12 Dec 06)

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2006 publication link archives

New report on Speakers of African Languages Emerging in Victoria The report by Helen Borland and Charles Mphande provides information on the relative size of each African language group, in addition to issues in language service provision and training. Link to the report (a PDF file) on Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs website. (posted 12 Nov 06)

Aust legal information now available in African languages Legal Aid NSW have just released audiovisual CDs in Amharic, Dari, Dinka, Pushto, Somali, Swahili and Tigrinya. ph (02) 9219 5028. (posted 11 Nov 06)

New CCDNSW evaluation toolkit, incl. Southern Sudanese Women's Group case study Link here (Sudanese, p5), and here (posted 11 Nov 06)

Deadline extended for Govt taking submissions on humanitarian settlement program affecting Africans
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has made the 'Humanitarian Settlement discussion paper: Measure to improve Settlement outcomes' available online and is now taking written submissions until 24 November. As this program strongly affects African arrivals across a range of policy areas, it is important for interested parties to submit their feedback. The paper is online at www.immi.gov.au (reposted Nov 06)

New stats (Sept 2006) on settler arrivals, Australia
Settler Arrivals 2005 - 2006 shows a summary of settler arrivals statistics by (African) birthplace, including a breakdown by Australian state, for the period 1995-96 to 2005-06. Note that Sudanese are in North African/Middle Eastern listings, while most others in sub-Saharan African listings. Report now on Immigration website. (posted Oct 06)

Bulletin magazine article (04/06) on African immigration to Australia
is online at CMYI website. (reposted new link Oct 06)

Dramatic increase in Africans using torture/trauma services in Aust
Number of African refugees seeking assistance from agencies assisting survivors of torture and trauma increased from 15 per cent in the 2000-2001 financial year to 66 per cent in 2004-2005 in Australia. Report 'Out of the Abyss: Australia's Program of Support for Survivors of Torture and Trauma' on FASSTT (PDF file) website. (posted August 06)

High percentage African youth in Victorian 'humanitarian' stats
In 2005, 70.2% of Humanitarian youth entrants (aged 12-25) to Victoria were from Africa. Young people from Sudan made up 50% of all Humanitarian youth entrants. Figures show shift in African intake from Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea) towards West Africa (Liberia, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast). Info sheet on CMYI (PDF file) website. (posted August 06)

Victoria's Ethiopian, Somalian, Eritrean Community profiles.
Resources drawn from previous 2001 Census - including profiles on some of Victoria's African communities - see Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs website. (posted July 06)

New HIV/AIDS resources in African languages
Details on Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service (MHAHS) website (posted July 06)

Study on people of Somali background in culturally diverse childcare settings
The Child Care in Cultural Context study online at The Australian Institute of Family Studies website.(Posted June 06)

New Sudanese community documentary film (WA)
'Breaking the Silence' is an hour-long documentary from local director Julie Williams, made in conjunction with the Southern Sudanese Community in Perth. $10+postage to buy a copy - email just.julie@westnet.com.au

New Sudanese refugee case study (Victoria)
The report, 'Coming together: Two cultures, one life, Community Development with Sudanese Refugees: A Case Study' is on The Victoria Foundation for the Survivors of Torture website (Posted 06)

"Happiness" intv
ABC Radio spoke with an africanOz co-founder about happiness in Africa & Australia. See Encounter website (Posted June 06)

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2005 publication link archives

Overseas adoption reports
According to Adoptions Australia 2004-05 report (from AIHW), the number of adoptions from overseas countries has reached a new high in Australia, with 434 intercountry adoptions recorded in 2004-05, compared with 370 in 2003-04. Some 14% from Ethiopia.
Another report, the Government report on inquiry into adoption of children from overseas looks into issues such as Australia's lower overseas adoption rate (compared to other developed countries), limited benefits available to adoptive families, Commonwealth v States in handling adoption matters (Dec 05)

Film on Sierra Leone refugee shortlisted in local film fest
'Mussu', a documentary film about the life of 'Bintu', an Australian Sierra Leone refugee, was shortlisted for the Harmony Film Festival 2005. Film-maker Sheetal Challam can be contacted at Blacktown Migrant Resource Centre, Ph (02) 9621 6633 (Posted 24 October 2005)

Housing need and provision for recently arrived refugees in Australia August 2005 available from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - you can link to the findings from (PDF file link) at www.ahuri.edu.au (Posted 21 October 2005)

New African Australian film tackles challenge of migration & issue of domestic violence
The experience of migration and the issue of domestic violence in the African community are the themes of a new film, Sweet Pain, by Sudanese-born first-time filmmaker Bernard Amour Makeny (produced by non-profit community organisation, Information and Cultural Exchange). Contact ICE on 02 9897 5744 or advertising@ice.org.au

African Communities Council has a new Settlement Services Officer, Tesfaye Alemayehu, providing casework and community development for refugees/humanitarian entrants and migrants, especially women and young people, recently arrived in Sydney from Africa. The position covers Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner Sydney & Sutherland areas. You can contact Tesfaye at: May Murray Neighbourhood Centre, where ACC'S office is 4-8 Gladstone Road, Marrickville. Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 9am to 5pm. And on Tuesday and Thursday Outreach Services at Canterbury-Bankstown & Sutherland areas on 9558 0999 or 0401 520867. Also see African Communities Council website

Discussion Paper on Somali communities in Victoria entitled 'The Impact of the Law and Social Policy on the Newly Arrived Somali Community - Crossing the Cultural Divide' put together by West Heidelberg Community Legal Service & La Trobe University examines issues such as housing, access to justice, violence and other issues related to law and social policy. See PDF file Executive Summary for a summary of the report. More details from West Heidelberg Community Legal Service, ph (03) 9450 2002. (Posted September 2005)

New booklets on Australia's Humanitarian Program have been put together by the the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs - including 'A New Life for Refugees' - a Resource for Schools which contains a Focus on Africa, including a look at Kakuma refugee camp and profiles on refugees. Another publication from DIMIA is Refugee and Humanitarian Issues - Australia's Response (PDF link), containing some profiles on African refugee arrivals (Posted September 2005)

Sudanese refugees in Victoria The Brotherhood of St Laurence has released a study exploring the settlement experiences of two recent refugee groups (Iraqi and Sudanese) in selected areas of regional Victoria (Shepparton, Colac and Warrnambool). You can link to the study on Brotherhood of St Laurence website (REPOSTED with new link September 2005)

New study on international students in Australia - including some quotes and figures on African students now available via Monash University website (REPOSTED with new link, September 2005)

The Australian Drug Foundation has launched some great new resources for African Australians. The Multicultural DrugInfo website includes information on drugs and alcohol in 50 community languages, including: Amharic, Arabic, French, Oromo, Somali and Tigrinya. Can be downloaded from online or printed versions are available through the DrugInfo Clearinghouse (tel: 1300 85 85 84 in Victoria or email Druginfo@adf.org.au).

Framework for engaging Victoria's refugees RMIT University has just released a proposal entitled 'Opening the door to our community: a framework for engaging Victoria’s newest residents – refugees, temporary protection visa holders and asylum seekers' (from the Centre for Applied Social Research - based on experiences & outcomes from Fitzroy Learning Centre) Link to full framework from RMIT website (REPOSTED with new link September 2005)

Report on changing settlement experience of new migrants This year, the National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University, released a detailed report looking at the settlement experiences of new migrants in Australia - link to report via Australian Policy Online Also see report on The changing labour force experience of new migrants - via Flinders University site (Reposted with new link September 2005)

New lodgement rules - African humanitarian visa applications APRIL 2005 - People wanting to support relatives to come to Australia under Australia’s Special Humanitarian Program from countries in Africa should now lodge forms in Sydney, Australia. See DIMIA statement (8 April 2005)

New Refugee Council of Australia report An interesting new report: 'Australia's Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program: Current Issues and Future Directions, Views from the Community Sector' February 2005, is now online. You can link to the full Table of Contents or go direct to the Regional Composition - Africa section (a PDF file). Another refugee publication of interest is the recently released 'Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries, 2004' report on UNHCR website.

New DIMIA Africa refugee newsletter out
The first Africa Newsletter for 2005 is now out - on African refugee matters from Australia's Department of Immigration. To read the latest, see DIMIA Africa Newsletter (Posted March 2005)

Australian NGOs' submission to Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination
This publication was released in January and is now available on the NSW Ethnic Communities Council website in the publications section: www.eccnsw.org.au

Increase in Overseas Adoptions in Australia - new Report shows
The number of adoptions from overseas countries has reached a 10-year high, with 370 adoptions recorded in 2003-04 compared with 222 10 years ago, says a new report, Adoptions Australia 2003-04, just released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Report author Debbie Noble-Carr says the main increase is due to adoptions from China. But "Adoptions from South Korea and Ethiopia have also increased considerably over the last 10 years, while adoptions from Fiji and Romania have now all but ceased," she says. The report showed that children adopted from overseas tended to be older, with only 41% of children aged under one year, and a further 30% aged between 1 and 2 years of age. See Australian Institute of Health & Welfare website for full report and details.

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2004 publication link archives

Improve services for Sudanese mums
A groundbreaking new study into birthing and child rearing practices of Sudanese women in Western Sydney has just been released. The study, by Blacktown Migrant Resource Centre and the Univeristy of Technology Sydney shows that family and social networks available to women in Sudan are not available in Australia - so they need to rely on health and social services instead for assistance during pregnancy and the first two year's of a child's life. However, many Sudanese women are still not aware of the full range of services they can access. To help resolve the problem, the study suggests service providers provide antenatal information and classes in Arabic, Dinka or other relevant languages, and improve health professionals' understanding of Sudanese women, especially in relation to female circumcision and Sudanese culture. For a summary of the findings, see attached PDF file Factsheet from BMRC. Also see Blacktown MRC website, where you can view an overview of the report and purchase a copy (Go to resources, publications, then scroll down page) (Posted 28 November 2004)

Housing needs and provisions for recently arrived refugees is the subject of a new report from the Australian Housing and Urban Resarch Institute (including surveys and studies relating to Sudanese refugees). You can link to the report from AHURI website.

African community stats: DIMIA now provide statistical summaries on African communities in Australia under their Community Information Summaries. Search for information under Africa country title - (however, they don't list African languages or religions - so it gives the impression that all Africans speak Arabic as their main other language besides English. A useful but not definitive resource!) Also on their site is Statistical Information on student numbers, temporary entrants etc

African refugee numbers: Australia has granted visas to more than 14,000 Africans under the Humanitarian Program in the past two years, according to the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Gary Hardgrave. Close to 10,000 of these have been from the Sudan. Recent arrivals include Ethiopian and Sudanese refugees arriving from the Abu Rakham camp in Southern Sudan. Mr Hardgrave said, "Australia has agreed to assist the UNHCR in closing Abu Rackham by managing the movement and resettlement of close to 400 of the Camp's refugees… So far these refugees have been settled in Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. It is expected that between 50 and 100 refugees from Abu Rakham will be settled in Brisbane." See full statement (27/8/04)

Report on Australia's Most Recent Immigrants - The new ABS report by Professor Graeme Hugo of The University of Adelaide on migration patterns 1996-2001, shows that numbers from Sub-Saharan Africa have doubled (rising from 3.5% to 6.8% as a proportion of all recent migrants). Although a significant number came from South Africa, there was an increase in refugee/humanitarian immigrants from other parts of Africa especially Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Somalia. The report said Australia has had one of the most diverse intake of migrants in recent years. It also showed that people from Sub-Saharan Africa (mainly South Africa) had some of the highest rates of computer use among recent migrants.You can read/download the full report for free from Australian Bureau of Statistics

Born in Africa: Around 145,000 Australians were born in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the latest census. People born in South Africa and Mauritius make up the largest number, followed by people born in Zimbabwe, then Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Zambia. Next are Seychelles, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Eritrea and Uganda. Australians were born all over Africa, in places as diverse as Angola, Congo, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. And many more are of African heritage. For concrete figures, see Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Classification Counts 2001 Census - Birthplace of Individual by Sex (Commonwealth of Australia).

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