The Board of Multicultural Arts Victoria acknowledge the distress that the growing conflict in the Middle East is having overseas and locally. The crisis in Gaza and Israel is affecting many in our communities and our hearts are with those who are suffering or grieving the profound loss of friends and loved ones in the region.
Additionally, the devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and affected many in our community who still suffer from the effect of war and destabilisation.
Over decades, Multicultural Arts Victoria has worked with many creatives and communities who have experienced violence, persecution and displacement and who have settled in Australia in the belief that life in our multicultural society would bring relief and safety from the dehumanising impact of international conflict, natural disaster and injustice.
Within this context, Multicultural Arts Victoria continues to appeal against the escalating loss of life and to oppose the forces of bigotry and intolerance, which seek to undermine community cohesion. We respect the rights of all in our democratic society to participate in respectful dialogue and to freely express opinion – mindful that racial and religious vilification and hate speech only harm our community.
Multicultural Arts Victoria remains steadfast in its commitment to artists shaping the narratives that define who we are as a multicultural nation through creative expression. Wherever possible we will offer extra support to creatives and communities who are impacted and/or who wish to contribute positively to assist others in these difficult times.
Some links below:
Mental Health Support:
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Support (the Embrace Project) is run by Mental Health Australia and provides a national platform for Australian
mental health services and multicultural communities to access resources, link to services and information in a culturally accessible format.
Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.
Humanitarian Support
Children are paying the heaviest price as the violence and fighting continue – UNICEF has set up an appeal.
UNICEF is also providing emergency response and long-term development programs in support of the children and their families in Afghanistan.
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