18 Sept 2007 - African Cultural Awareness Forum

A forum to allow members of the local African community to share their experiences of living in Australia with service providers and their peers is being held on Tuesday, September 18, at the Norm Jordan Pavilion.

The Forum is a joint initiative of the NSW Premier's Department, the Community Relations Commission, Council, Anglicare and the St Vincent De Paul Society. 

"In recent years, Coffs Harbour has welcomed many people from countries all over Africa. They have become a well accepted section of our community and have become involved in many multi-cultural initiatives," said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades who is speaking at the event.

"Cultural awareness is a two-way street and this Forum is an excellent way for the African community to share its experiences and for others to learn more about their backgrounds and observations since moving here," he said. 

The Forum aims to provide members of the African community with the opportunity to speak to representatives of service providers such as the Police, North Coast Area Health Service, Office of Fair Trading, Education Department and Department of Community Services about what they have experienced since moving to Australia.

It is also an opportunity for service providers to learn more about the culture and profile of the African community and to hear their ideas.

The Forum begins at 10am and goes on until 4pm. It features a number of keynote speakers including Juliana Nkrumah, winner of the 'Women in the West' Award and community member of the Nepean/Blacktown Regional Advisory Council, Churchill Fellow Carol Hubert and Victoria Akek of the Coffs Harbour African Community Association.