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Communities Organisation to launch new media campaign

Venkat Raman

Venkat Raman

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#PassTheMic coincides with Christchurch massacre case sentencing Venkat Raman Auckland, August 26, 2020
Belong Aotearoa Chief Executive Rochana Sheward, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, Office of Ethnic Communities Director Anusha Guler (second, third and fourth) from right at a recent meeting (Facebook Picture)
An Auckland based organisation is to launch a community-led campaign to promote inclusion of people from refugee backgrounds and promote their diverse voices. #PassTheMic will be launched tomorrow, Thursday, Auckland 27, 2020, coinciding with the sentencing in the case of Christchurch massacre on March 15, 2019. Challenging racism The Campaign is being launched by ‘Belong Aotearoa,’ formerly known as Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) to challenge racism, discrimination and other evils in the society. With blessings by leaders of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, the Campaign will recognise the importance of allyship in creating an inclusive future. Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon will be the Special Guest Speaker at the launch. Chief Executive Rochana Sheward said that Belong Aotearoa, since its establishment in 2003, has  supported thousands of newcomers, migrants and refugees who have settled in Auckland. Stories of hope and inspiration The media campaign (#PassTheMic) shares stories of hope and inspiration and provides people with the tools and resources to challenge racism, to spark the journey to allyship for many in the community, she said.
(Image from Facebook)
  “Stories are a part of every culture, and by passing the mic to our communities, we are providing a space otherwise dominated by mainstream Pākehā voices. We are excited to share stories of the humanity of these diverse communities and the diversity of their stories, in the hope we help challenge racist stereotypes with our community leading the way,” she said. Ms Sheward said that under-representation is an issue for diverse communities across sectors, with media being one area where representation is lacking. “This campaign created a space for untold stories to be shared beyond the stereotypical one’s often portrayed in media of migrant and former refugee communities,” she said. Promoting culture and diversity Describing #PassTheMic as ‘a media campaign led by community, for community and with community,’ she said that the role of media in promoting culture and diversity was raised during a hui, held on the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attacks. “From a hui and working group held post-Christchurch terror attacks, one of the key points raised was around the role of media in promoting inclusion and diversity. The community called for a media campaign, led by community, for community, with community. “Belong Aotearoa led these with expertise across migrant, former refugee, Māori and Pākehā communities and the Campaign #PassTheMic was born. We acknowledge the power of stories and is excited about the launch of this campaign,” Ms Shewad said.   About Belong Aotearoa Belong Aotearoa was established in 2003 to promote an inclusive, connected New Zealand where newcomer communities are able to enjoy and contribute towards our collective wellbeing and prosperity. It aims to drive innovation to improve newcomer settlement and integration. The Organisation’s website says that newcomers (migrants and former refugees) experience pain points in the health, education, employment and social systems such as inequitable access, racism and isolation. Despite years of working in the sector, the barriers newcomers face as they try to build new lives in New Zealand are still prevalent and persistent. “The impact of these barriers negatively impacts the lives of individuals, families, communities and overall the wellbeing of a nation. We know that a change was needed. A change that recognised our strengths and achievements, as we move forward towards sustainable, innovative, collaborative and systemic change to improve the settlement and integration of newcomers. “The journey to settlement and integration is one filled with disparities in existing systems such as health, education and employment, which impact the lives of newcomers, migrants and former refugees in multiple ways,” the website says. Please visit www.belong.org.nz/events-calendar/passthemic-media-campaign-launch

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