Papa Lens’ Post

⭐️ Dear friends ⭐️, Today, I would like to share some fascinating data we've recently analysed from our various registration forms. 🌍 We have recorded residents from 73 different nationalities, representing 37.8% of the world’s countries, living in Southend-on-Sea and its surrounding areas. This leads me to some interesting questions: ❓ How do residents from 73 different countries influence our local culture, cuisine, festivals, and social norms? ❓ How well integrated are the different communities? ❓ What factors contribute to Southend attracting people from so many countries? ❓ How do migrants and refugees contribute to the local economy and workforce in Southend? ❓ What entrepreneurial activities or businesses have been established by residents from diverse backgrounds? These questions and more highlight the rich diversity of our community and the potential for further growth and integration. 🤝 I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can make the most of our diversity and strengthen our community in Southend. What can we do together to make Southend-on-Sea an even better place for everyone? 💬 Comment below with your insights and suggestions. Southend-on-Sea City Council SAVS Bayo Alaba David Burton-Sampson Citizens Advice Southend #community #southendonsea #welcometotheuk

Our CEO and Principal Migration Agent Melanie Macfarlane is diving into two of Australia's most pressing issues: Migration and the Housing crisis. 🌏🏡 Discover the vital role of immigration, its impact on housing and population growth, and the strategic long-term plans required to shape our future. Don't miss this essential discussion! #HousingCrisis #Australia #FuturePlanning

The 2024 National Drowning Report found that 34% of people who drowned in Australia in the past 10-years were born overseas. Unfortunately, several tragedies have occurred this year of people from multicultural communities, as highlighted in this ABC Article. Earlier this year Royal Life Saving – Australia and Life Saving Victoria convened a national workshop to discuss and prioritise high-level solutions for addressing drowning among Australia’s multicultural communities. The workshop identified several high-level strategies to improve this issue, including: 🔹️ Developing multisectoral partnerships among water safety sector, multicultural agencies and community leaders to drive community level change. 🔹️ Increasing investment (funding) to support implementation of targeted initiatives aimed at reducing the drowning toll in vulnerable communities. 🔹️ Co-designing education campaigns and safety messages with community members that go beyond translation and signage to ensure appropriateness and greater reach. 🔹️ Developing and implementing policies to remove barriers, increase access and participation to swimming pools and water safety programs. This ABC article supports the need for early introduction of water safety for new migrants. Royal Life Saving is working with the sector and community leaders to develop and enhance a range of sustainable strategies, including education programs, for migrants of all ages and stages of settlement. Read more: https://ab.co/4gsAvD6

Yesterday marked the start of World Refugee Week – a time of great significance on The Bread & Butter Project’s calendar, when we shine a light on refugees and celebrate their contributions to our society. This year’s theme of 'Finding Freedom' encourages a particular focus on Family – emphasising the crucial role families play in providing solace, support and a sense of belonging to those forced to flee their homelands. These connections become beacons of hope in times of uncertainty. At The Bread & Butter Project, our trainee refugee bakers find a new family here in Australia, where they establish friendships and lifelong bonds while learning the art of baking. As Australia’s first social enterprise bakery, and since 2013, we have invested 100% of our profits into providing training and employment pathways for close to 90 refugees who’ve aspired to become bakers. Every one of our graduates is a mother, a father, a brother, sister, son or daughter. Many have arrived with immediate family – but most have been forced to leave loved ones behind. What our refugee arrivals have done for their families – in the hope of safety and a better future – is often remarkable, and we are now proud to call them part of our family.   Over the next few days we will share stories of hope and love, from a few of our family members at The Bread & Butter Project. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek #Refugees #WithRefugees #RefugeesWelcome #RefugeeStories #WorldRefugeeDay

Have Your Say on Regional Migration Settings! The Australian Government has released the Review of Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper. This paper explores how migration policies can be adjusted to better meet the needs of regional areas, addressing local workforce shortages, and promoting community growth. It seeks input from stakeholders and community members to develop effective and sustainable migration strategies that benefit both migrants and regional communities. Read the discussion paper and share your feedback 👉 https://lnkd.in/gwkRxipu Submissions close 26 July 2024 #RegionalMigration #PublicConsultation #HaveYourSay #Australia #CommunityGrowth #RegionalDevelopmentAustralia

Attention Canadian employers: Many #Refugees have the skills and expertise to enrich your workplace and bring success to your business! Learn the value that refugees like Najeeb and Baljinder bring to Canada by visiting the #WelcomingEconomy website: https://lnkd.in/eePpNhsm. Alt Text: This video has two individuals talking about their life and their dreams in Canada. #RefugeesWelcome #WithRefugees

There's no risk, and it's a media building up as a mass hysteria event. The danger in the media is building up to a mass hysteria peak. As a boy in the middle of a heatwave at Christmas lunch, out came the hot baked roast, basically English cuisine, an indifferent style of food, to a beautiful range of options. Then, we had many Greek immigrants; we discovered the joy of seafood and different versions of lamb, Italian, and Vietnamese cuisine with fresh vegetables. These immigrants created Australia for what it is today, and mostly, they didn't line up for social housing; they worked in two or three jobs, bought a run-down inner city dwelling at give-away prices, gradually restored it, and when establishing their families, save for their dream home out in the inner circles of Australia's Metropolitan Cities. The shortfall of skilled people in Australia is a handbrake to economic growth, taking Sydney's staggering shortages of enough skilled workforce and across Australia. Australia stopped building enough availability of affordable and social housing decades ago these immigrants in that era, got by and do today they are incentivised and generally not relying on a welfare handouts, these immigrants appreciate the chance they have been given. Meanwhile, the bulk of Australia's existing social housing stock is mainly occupied by welfare recipients, completely demotivated and, unfortunately, now facing even 2nd generation unemployed. Immigrants do not deserve the blame for the worst shortfall of enough social housing in Australia's history, today over 500,000 Australians on official waiting lists across Australia for social dwellings a tiny number would be new immigrants that's the reality.

Last summer, 25% of drowning deaths were people born overseas. Today we are hosting a Multicultural Water Safety forum in Melbourne, bringing together water safety experts, community leaders and government to address drowning prevention in Australia's multicultural communities. This workshop is about assessing what is working and what else can be done to ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely. One in four drowning deaths last summer where people born overseas, including those from migrant and refugee backgrounds, international students and visitors. We are keen to hear from community leaders and policy managers to identify what more needs to be done to prevent another summer of sadness. Read more: https://bit.ly/3yUXiG5

On #WorldRefugeeDay, we honor the strength and resilience of refugees worldwide and affirm their right to safe, dignified lives. Discover our research from the University of Toronto, UCL, and Tecnológico de Monterrey on ensuring decent #housing, access to #healthcare, and financial stability for #refugees.     ➡️ Explore the insights here: https://lnkd.in/eaRrjkMh 

As professionals, we have a responsibility to engage with policies that shape our society. The recent Australian Migration Amendment Bill 2024 demands our attention and scrutiny. 🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲 Australia thrives on diversity, both culturally and economically. Restrictive migration policies risk undermining this diversity, could hold back innovation and growth. Migration policies should uphold Australia's commitment to humanitarian values. Any changes must prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations and uphold human rights principles. Every individual deserves dignity and respect. Instead of deportation, I think it's time to prioritize finding constructive solutions that uphold our values and support those seeking a better life. Advance Australia Fair 🇦🇺 #InclusiveAustralia 🇦🇺 #CompassionOverDeportation