<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/23/regional-australians-have-opened-their-hearts-to-refugees-we-should-open-pathways-to-match>
"The desire to give generously runs through the veins of our regional
communities. Over the past year, as I’ve interviewed both newly arrived
refugees and longtime residents from towns across Victoria, I’ve been heartened
to witness the reciprocal relationship that exists between those who have
recently fled their home countries, and those who have called Australia home
their entire life.
In Mansfield, at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, there came stories of
refugees sharing recipes from their homelands, teaching the locals how to cook,
and volunteering at the Country Fire Authority and local theatre. The town
banded around them in a swell of support, assisting with their literacy and
numeracy skills, helping them source employment, and even teaching them how to
line dance.
It was a similar story in Warrnambool, where an Iraqi family felt they could
finally lead a “free and dignified life” thanks to the freedom afforded to them
in their newfound community. The sentiment was shared by Sakineh, a widow and
her two boys, who settled in Bendigo after fleeing war-torn Afghanistan.
Australia has granted permanent visas to refugees through a formal offshore
resettlement program since the 1970s, with most refugees who are resettled
referred by the UN high commissioner for refugees. A number of complementary
pathways including labour mobility programs, education pathways, family reunion
and community sponsorship programs are also available, as well as the
oversubscribed special humanitarian visa where refugees living outside their
home countries can be sponsored by an Australian proposer.
But while some are able to resettle successfully, there are still many
thousands who are unable to find their way. Not for lack of empathy or care,
but due to the lack of a suitable pathway."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
