This document is a case study about the Multicultural Engagement Strategy developed by the Australian trade union, United Voice. The union represents over 120,000 workers, many of whom are among the lowest paid workers in the country. United Voice recognized a need to better engage with diverse communities and developed a strategy framework to guide its outreach efforts to existing and potential members from these communities. This strategy led to a review of the organizational structures and communication methods used by the union, creating a greater capacity to meaningfully engage with diverse communities and meet their needs.

Organizations can use this case study as a model to engage multicultural communities by:

• Building the capacity of the organization to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. United Voice focused on building this capacity as one of three key areas of improvement. Organizations can use this case study as inspiration to evaluate their own capacity to engage with diverse communities and identify areas for improvement.
• Developing methods to engage with CALD communities. United Voice recognized that this was a crucial step in creating a more inclusive organization. By developing new methods for engagement, organizations can ensure that they are reaching out to diverse communities in ways that are culturally appropriate and effective.
• Examining internal practices to identify areas where existing practices need to be changed, enhanced or extended. United Voice found that internal examination was crucial to embedding cultural diversity at the heart of the organization. By taking the time to reflect on their own internal practices, organizations can identify areas where they can improve their engagement with multicultural communities.