The UN Human Rights Office, together with the social impact communications agency LoveFrankie, launched an initiative harnessing the bonding powers of food and storytelling to encourage positive attitudes to migrants.
As part of the UN Human Rights' global #StandUp4Migrants campaign, the Australian edition features a four-part video series, MyGreat Story', created by production company Content Originals showing Australians sharing stories while they cook and dine together.
The series aims to replace narratives of fear, division and exclusion of migrants with those of hope, inclusion and change by creating common ground across cultures and bringing Australians together to hear about their migration experience and learn how cross-cultural values are shared.
Pia Oberoi, senior advisor on Migration at the UN Human Rights office, said: “There is an urgent need to question and change the way we speak about migrants and migration.
“Because when migrants are portrayed in a negative light, their human rights are heavily impacted. They face discrimination, are excluded and dehumanised, and communities become divided.
“Our research has shown how most people in Australia are not against newcomers and that we have much more in common than what divides us. We want to highlight this fact because it is a powerful catalyst for how we can work together to build an inclusive future for everyone no matter where they are from or what they look like.”
According to research commissioned by UN Human Rights, more than two thirds of Australians would be willing to welcome someone from another country into their neighbourhood. 75% of Australians agree that communities are stronger when everyone feels supported and 60% of those surveyed said that people from other countries contribute positively to Australia's economy and society.
45%, however, perceive migrants as a burden to the Australian welfare system.
The four-part video series features eight recognisable faces across the fields of sport, fashion, food, art and culture, including artists Emmanuel Asante, hip hop artist and producer Sukhdeep Bhogal (LFresh), chef Alvin Quah, pro surfer Ace Buchan, fashion designer Gary Bigeni, and musicians Lara Andallo, A.Girl and Charlie Collins. Together, they represent the diverse migrant community, coming from Ghanaian, Filipino, Indian, Malaysian, South African, Maltese and Polynesian backgrounds.
Alvin Quah said: “If you want to learn about someone's culture, eat their food and you learn so much more, there is no better catalyst.”
Jo Pretyman, managing director at Love Frankie, said: “If Covid and the last few years of bushfires and floods have taught us anything, it’s that we’re stronger together.
“As we navigate the post-covid recovery amid an economic downturn, we feel the time is right to foster a greater understanding of each other and mutual respect in our everyday lives.
“Innovation is required to boost the economy and society as a whole. This only comes from working together. Fresh ideas and approaches will be vital. We need to learn from each other.”
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