The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DCP) has launched the State’s first Multicultural Charter as a crucial part of bringing the community’s Multicultural Act to life for all South Australians.
According to the DCP, the South Australian Multicultural Act 2021 acknowledges the State’s culturally diverse history and provides six principles to promote a unified, harmonious, and inclusive South Australian community that values, respects and supports diversity.
The DCP said the Charter would guide South Australian government agencies, organisations, institutions, businesses and communities and be a foundation for all South Australian service delivery, policy and program development by placing cultural diversity at the heart of decision making.
It said the Multicultural Charter was shaped by public consultation and developed in collaboration with leading multicultural organisations, the Commissioners for Public Sector Employment, Equal Opportunity and Aboriginal Engagement, government agencies and universities.
It said the Charter included the following principles so every South Australian can:
- Recognise, respect and value cultural, linguistic, racial and religious diversity and the contribution this has made and continues to make to our State;
- Are encouraged to engage in the reciprocal exchange of knowledge and understanding of our cultural, linguistic, racial and religious diversity;
- Are able to live, work and study to thrive in all aspects of life in a cohesive society;
- Have the right to mutual respect, understanding, fairness, safety and freedom from discrimination based on their cultural, linguistic, racial and religious background;
- Should lawfully be able to preserve, express, practice and celebrate their cultural, linguistic and religious diversity; and
- Have equitable access to opportunities and services that support participation in the educational, social, cultural, economic and political life of our State.
The one-page Charter can be accessed from the DCP website at this PS News link.
