FECCA Media Release
The annual celebration of Refugee Week in Australia (June 17 to 23) is traditionally a time when we pause and reflect on the outstanding contribution refugees have made to this country, Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Pino Migliorino, said.
“Today, refugees and the descendants of refugees fill senior positions in politics, the law, medicine, the arts and sciences – in every walk of life; they have literally played key roles in building the Australia we know today, Mr Migliorino said.
“It should be remembered that refugees did not begin with those who are currently seeking asylum, or even with the Vietnamese boat people of the 1970s and 80s.
“Vast numbers came to Australia from the devastation of post-war Europe; from the fascist persecutions of the 1930s and even earlier from the uncaring and unjust regime that existed in 19th century Ireland.
“They came seeking a better life, a new beginning – Australia gave them the opportunity and this nation has reaped huge benefits from their industry, innovation and enterprise.”
Mr Migliorino noted that the Refugee Council of Australia had chosen Restoring Hope as the theme of Refugee Week for 2012 to 2014. “I think this should remind us that for throughout the world in 2011 there were more than 10.4 million people under the mandate of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, most of them existing with little or no hope,” he said.
“Australia resettled 9226 refugees out of a total of 79,784 permanent resettlements. We are a world leader, but sadly only due to the terribly low level of international support.
“FECCA believes that the world must do more and Australia must do more to set an example. It is no coincidence that a nation built on the contribution of refugees over many generations is now an oasis of stability in world gripped by economic turmoil,” Mr Migliorino concluded.
Media Comments: For further information call the FECCA office on 02 6282 5755 or Pino Migliorino on 0411 137 700