Nelson Mandela once wrote: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

If you are reading this newsletter, my assumption is that you are someone who wants to make a difference in the world, intentionally taking steps each day to make building a better world become a reality. Over the last five years, I have been a part of the See Me See You cultural responsiveness team. It has not just been a job for both Rika and I. It is something that we lived and breathed- the belief that by giving participants tools to help them communicate with anyone from any culture could help make Australia a society where everyone could feel like they have a new home and that they belong.

Above all, it was a delight to be part of this growing movement. I truly believe that delighting in all the different cultural backgrounds in Australia helps us cultivate a legacy of effectively helping people make their place here, putting down their roots in good soil. Delight keeps shining the spotlight on the good work rather than the darkness of division.

This is also the privilege of Multicultural Futures to help and advocate for people from a migrant or refugee background to be part of a connected multicultural community where to take up have opportunities to create healthy, empowered and meaningful lives in Australia. Although this is my final day at Multicultural Futures in my capacity as Program Lead, I believe that through my work as an Placemaking and Identity Mentor I will be able to continue collaborating with Multicultural Futures and other partners in the industry.

From the Editor
Erika von Kaschke