Three publications to help improve communication with ethnic groups launched

3/6/98

Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Minister Mike Board has moved to encourage better communication within the multicultural community.

The Minister today unveiled three publications designed to make it easier for migrants to contact service providers and for agencies to contact ethnic groups.

The three publications (the Migrant Services Directory 1998, the Information Kit on Cultural Diversity in Western Australia and the Inventory of Multicultural Services) were launched this morning at a function at the Alexander Library attended by representatives of all major ethnic communities.

"Together, these three publications provide the key to encouraging everybody involved in multicultural and ethnic affairs to communicate more effectively," Mr Board told ethnic community leaders at the launch.

"Even people in my own office, who know all the stakeholders well, will be able to benefit from using these resources. Better communication will mean better relationships and better services."

This latest edition of the Migrant Services Directory replaces the inaugural directory, produced in 1995, for which demand far outstripped supply. It contains contact numbers and details of all Government, non-Government and community services relevant to migrants and their families.

It was jointly funded by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and Western Australia's Office of Multicultural Interests with research done by Edith Cowan University.

The information kit on cultural diversity in WA is primarily a companion document for the Valuing Diversity: Guidelines for Government Agencies pack. It contains population statistics for the State, mailing lists and helpful hints on communicating with culturally diverse audiences.

The Inventory of Multicultural Services is a comprehensive summary of services available to Western Australians from diverse language and cultural backgrounds. All three publications are available free of charge from the Office of Multicultural Interests: Level 2, 81 St George's Terrace, Perth 6000; telephone 9426 8690.

Media Contact: Jody Robb 9222 9211