The big guns of Victoria’s political parties are being wheeled out to put forward their ideas to enhance the state’s multicultural credentials and prepare the ground for greater social-cohesion. Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, Opposition leader Daniel Andrews and Greens’ Deputy Leader Adam Bandt will speak at a high-powered conference this month that promises to shape the state’s future multicultural policies.

Organised by the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) – Victoria’s Multicultural Identity – State Conference 2012 will take place on November 20. The conference provides a unique forum for academics, community leaders, service providers and government to exchange ideas and strategies for enhancing social-cohesion and examine international experiences.

The ECCV says that the conference will explore the most pressing challenges facing multiculturalism; how government can help further develop the state’s multicultural identity, how positive self-identity can be encouraged in young people, and how negative stereotypical identities of ethnically diverse communities can be challenged and overturned.

The conference, which will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, will involve local and international experts gathering for a day of intensive brainstorming sessions and culminate in a gala dinner at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum. “We’ve hand-picked a range of voices who represent many organisations, people and communities,” said ECCV chair Joe Caputo. “This conference is incredibly important for every Victorian – we are proud of our multicultural society but there are challenges we face. “Through our conference we’re hoping to find solutions to Victoria’s identity solutions, to address key multicultural issues faced by communities and organisations,” said Mr Caputo.

“We want as many community members and voices there as possible. There are still tickets left so please come along.” Before Victoria’s political leaders get their chance to present their views on the day, Professor Gail Whiteford Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion) at Macquarie University will kick off the conference’s investigations by giving a keynote presentation. Professor Whiteford recently worked on European Commission social inclusion projects with street children in Turkey and disabled people in Bulgaria. Professor Afef Benessaieh, Professor of International Studies at the University of Quebec will take part in the session which explores youth self-identity.

Professor Benessaieh’s research in Canada has looked at sociocultural approaches to globalisation, international migration and transcultural approaches to diversity. Other speakers at the conference will include; the Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Mr Chin Tan -Deakin University’s director of the Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation, Professor Fethi Mansouri – Monash Uni lecturer and author, Dr Tim Soutphommasane – Victorian Multicultural Commission youth commissioner, Yasmin Hassen – the CEO of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Karen Toohey – and Australian Multicultural Foundation CEO, Dr Hass Dellal. Conference registrations and gala dinner bookings can be made online at www.eccvconference.eventbrite.com/