Thursday 20 March heralds the first in the City of Port Phillip's new series of 'civic dialogues' as part of Diversity Day. The City of Port Phillip's Diversity Day replaces the Federal Government's Harmony Day, on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism.
Performances about diversity Diversity Day events kick off at 1.00pm at the St Kilda Town Hall with an afternoon celebration of diversity featuring Kan Yama Kan, a moving performance of stories from refugees lives told by actors and refugees, including Alice Garner and Majid Shokor. The event includes an information expo with stalls on housing, income security, educational opportunities and health issues for the multicultural and gay and lesbian communities. Kan Yama Kan means Once Upon A Time in Arabic, the start of all good stories. In Kan Yama Kan, newly arrived boat people from Central Asia and the Middle East speak out about the histories, dreams, joys and fears of those who have risked everything in search of a better life in Australia. There will also be a performance by Swinburne University drama students called Something Gay - a piece about 'coming out' at school. A civic dialogue about Australia's response to asylum seekers During the evening of Diversity Day, the inaugural City of Port Phillip civic dialogue begins at 7.00pm, an open conversation about Australia's response to asylum seekers. Chaired by Julie Copeland (Radio National broadcaster), speakers include Peter Mares, broadcaster and author of Borderline: Australia's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and Maqsood Alshams, Coalition for Justice for Refugees. The discussion will challenge some of the prevailing misconceptions about asylum seekers. The evening will close with a performance of music and stories, drawing on the experiences of Australia's refugee community, featuring Arnold Zable. Bookings are advised for both Diversity Day celebrations (1-4 pm, 20 March) and the Civic Dialogue (7-9pm, 20 March). Both events are being held at the St Kilda Town Hall.- please telephone ASSIST on 9209 6777 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/cgi-bin/getLink.cgi?id=/cgi-bin/emailus.cgi> to guarantee your spot. Full notice attached. Carmel Shute Council Media Officer City of Port Phillip Ph: 03 9209 6163 Fax: 03 9525 4640 Mob: 0412 569 356 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
