This document is a practical guide produced by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) to assist organizations in engaging multicultural communities in civic participation. The guide emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, transparency, and two-way dialogue in decision-making processes that affect diverse communities. It provides practical tools, checklists, and real-world examples to help organizations navigate the complexities of engaging with multicultural communities in a meaningful and effective way.

The guide covers a range of stakeholders, including:

• Decision-makers such as Councillors, Executive and Senior Officers
• Multicultural communities and individuals
• Community groups

Organizations can use this document to engage multicultural communities by:

• Understanding the Barriers to Participation: The guide identifies various barriers faced by multicultural communities in civic participation, including language, lack of representation, and discrimination. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring engagement activities to address these barriers and ensure inclusivity. For example, the guide suggests going to the community rather than expecting them to come to the organization and providing services like translation and interpretation to facilitate meaningful participation.
• Promoting Open and Transparent Decision-Making: The guide underscores the importance of clear communication, early identification of issues, and coordinated action across sectors to foster trust and confidence in public institutions. It encourages organizations to be proactive in disseminating information, explaining the rationale behind decisions, and outlining the parameters of the decision-making process.
• Developing an Inclusive Engagement Mechanism: The guide advocates for a human rights-based approach to engagement, recognizing the diverse needs and rights of all citizens. It suggests practical strategies for fostering inclusivity, such as engaging through social agencies serving multicultural communities, using diverse communication channels like ethnic media, and adapting the message in storyboard form to transcend language barriers.
• Empowering Communities: The guide highlights the importance of moving beyond mere consultation towards a collaborative and empowering model of engagement. It provides examples of successful empowerment initiatives, such as providing opportunities for dialogue and supporting community-led solutions.