Maribyrnong council is seeking feedback on its first ever Intercultural Strategy, which council said is designed to build a culturally rich roadmap for the municipality for the future.
According to council, with nearly 40 per cent of the population born overseas, Maribyrnong has long been recognised as a multicultural city with many cultures, beliefs, and faiths.
Council said the purpose of the draft strategy seeks to build on the overseas culture.
By empowering the community and promoting learning, dialogue and relationships between cultures, while including ways residents can better connect, share and grow together.
The community’s acceptance of diverse culture is high, according to council 60 per cent of residents surveyed in 2018 believe it makes life better.
Mayor Sarah Carter said she hopes this will translate into wide and diverse participation during the current engagement on the draft document.
“Culture exists in all of us. From the way we look, where we come from, our family, the language we speak, and our beliefs, we each have a story that shapes Maribyrnong. That’s why it is important to ensure every voice is reflected,” she said.
“For that to happen we need to hear from individuals and groups from across our diverse communities.
“So please take this opportunity to share your vision for a culturally rich future and the ways you think we can be involved in helping learn and share stories with others.”
Council said it is committed to facilitating the development of the municipality as an ‘intercultural city’ that promotes inclusivity and diversity and began the journey to develop an intercultural strategy as part of its part membership of the council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Programme.
The draft Intercultural Maribyrnong Strategy 2023/2026 outlines the guiding principles, key themes, objectives, and proposed actions to support its implementation, the community can now view the draft and discover ways to share comments.
Details: yourcityyourvoice.com.au/intercultural
