REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT
LIVERPOOL S GROWTH Rapid and significant economic, demographic, infrastructural, and physical change, becoming one of the fastest growing regions in Sydney. For example: The population is expected to almost double, to more than 320,000 over the next 20 years; Liverpool is becoming the learning City, with UOW open on a small scale in 2017, before moving to a larger premises in the new Civic Plaza in 2019. The WSU has unveiled plans for its new Higher Education Centre at Liverpool, a move that will significantly expand higher education opportunities for residents; and The proposed Western Sydney Airport development is expected to transform and drive future investment, jobs, and therefore settlement patterns. Insert presentation title in footer 2
GLOBAL MIGRATION United Nations High Commission for Refugees; McKinsey Global Institute analysis 3
While conflict and other factors have forced people to leave their birthplace, the majority move as a desire for a better life. Some of the biggest flows of migration have been from Syria to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Germany; Afghanistan to Pakistan and Iran, and from Somalia and Sudan to other countries in Africa. Because Refugees generally flee to neighbouring countries, the developed world has historically absorbed a smaller proportion of refugees. The Middle East and North Africa has absorbed roughly half of the world s refugees, sub-saharan Africa has taken almost a quarter. Western Europe and South Asia (excluding India) are the destination of approximately 10 per cent. Insert presentation title in footer 4
PROCESS OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Settlement Services International (SSI) Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) TIER 1 Client has knowledge and skills to settle TIER 2 Client has factors impacting their settlement TIER 3 Client requires specialised and intensive support 5
INTEGRATION INTERVENTIONS 6
ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Local Council s have a leadership role to play at a local level as a convening authority The need to address community relations arising from cultural diversity Adapting to changes & demographics of the profile area Ensure programs & services are accessible to all residents; and Supporting new migrants and refugees to live in and feel welcomed in their new community 7
LIVERPOOL COUNCIL S ROLE IN RESETTLEMENT Liverpool Council working alongside WSMRC to: Support and collaborate with the sector in Liverpool to align service coordination and reduce service duplication Host sector briefing sessions with government and non government agencies to keep the sector up to date with information in relation to the additional refugee intake, and provide an avenue to identify service gaps Participate in roundtable discussions with the Coordinator General for Refugee Resettlement and contribute to Multicultural NSW planning initiatives Implement the Local Refugee Action Plan for Liverpool, to address needs, to advocate and action plan with the sector Build a City Centre that supports the needs of it s diverse populations and encourage opportunities 8
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WHAT WE SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION People arriving have lower English language proficiency Health issues on the rise particularly disability/mental health among youth The need for specialised and intensive employment opportunities that include case management, language skills and local experience Financial stress is increasing, particularly around utility bills Broken education for young people, the need for mentoring and social cohesion and engagement forums to reduce hate related crimes Affordable accommodation and size is a challenge for relocation Increased need for parenting support programs particularly for female headed households Not enough investment put in interpreting services, in the health services district (doctors/specialists) Intensive English Language schools are at capacity, young people 17+ are moved to adult English Centres, inappropriate for their age/learning 10
KEY GOALS TO TAKE AWAY Employment Practical employment opportunities for refugees, understanding the skill shortages in your local area, work with local businesses to provide local work experience, mentoring and budding up refugees, social enterprise opportunities that support employment, to employ local jobs for local people Urban Planning The challenges of migrants/refugees are overlooked by urban planning. Affordable housing to be considered as part of the development, people are expected to integrate in the community quickly, with limited English language, difficulty finding employment, no skill recognition, how do they be able to afford rental or home ownership? Community Cohesion Never under estimate what a place of welcome and belonging can mean to someone, providing opportunities for refugees to participate, engage and volunteer in and be among the community provides long term social benefit for all communities Insert presentation title in footer 11