Australia's most dynamic practitioners, researchers and policy makers will meet in Melbourne in early June to debate issues around diversity, health and wellbeing.
The biannual Diversity in Health conference will give particular attention to the impact of the Commonwealth Government's health reform program on migrant and refugee communities.
"While the Victorian Government is a major supporter and Health Minister Daniel Andrews will open the conference, we've have had little interest to date from the Commonwealth in joining a debate that must be had," said conference convener, Michal Morris, Executive Manager of the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health.
"As the majority funder of health services into the future, it is a missed opportunity for the commonwealth to participate in a world class event addressing diversity in health.
"Cultural diversity is part of Australia's social fabric. No matter where, how or what your work in the health sector is, the way you manage and respond to diversity directly influences the impact of your work," Ms Morris said.
The three days of high-profile, international keynote speakers, panel discussions and peer-reviewed papers will consider issues including mental health and eHealth, health literacy, refugee and migrant wellbeing, and family violence prevention and settlement services.
Prominent speakers include:
- The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP, Minister for Health, Victorian Government
- Associate Prof Abd Malak AM, Honorary President of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA)
- Mark Johnson, Professor of Diversity in Health & Social Care, De Montfort University (UK)
- Voula Messimeri AM, Australian Greek Welfare Services
- Paul Goodwin, Cross Cultural Curator, Tate Britain (UK)
- John Wong, Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand
Presenters will draw on the three major themes: Cultural Integrity in Service Delivery, the Right to Health, and Modern Multiculturalism.
Diversity in Health supporters and sponsors include the British Council, Victoria Government, Australian Volunteers International, Victorian Multicultural Commission, Victoria University, VicHealth and beyondblue.
The conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7-9 June, 2010.
For more information, to view program details or to register, please visit www.ceh.org.au/dih, follow on Twitter @CEH_Aus or contact the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health on 03 9342 9700.
About the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health
The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health is a unique agency that provides specialist information, training and support on cultural diversity and wellbeing. Services offered include training, research, resource development, project management, community education and support.
The centre works with health and community service professionals committed to providing a high quality of care, and offers practical support and training to help them improve outcomes for culturally diverse clients and communities.
For more information, visit www.ceh.org.au.
For any media enquiries including interview opportunities, please contact Porter Novelli Melbourne:
Arj Ganeshalingam on 0421 690 204
Nicole Hamilton on 0419 316 621