The fight for language learning should be placed on the shoulders of Canberra, says George Zangalis, president and current affairs broadcaster of ethnic communities radio station 3ZZZ.

The sentiment was expressed in his address yesterday at the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) conference hosted at Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park.

In a highly-informative presentation on language learning, Mr Zangalis noted its decline since the Howard government scrapped the National Languages Policy “almost overnight” in 1998.

He claimed that though there have been worthwhile language campaigns, “they are not being pursued for implementation with consistency and vigour”.

“While every effort counts, a viable solution will not be found without national and state governments committed to long-term education and multicultural policies,” said Mr Zangalis, who also took part in a discussion on multicultural broadcasting and communications.

The two-day conference centring on the theme of multiculturalism in action and building a better future for all Australians, saw some of the country’s most esteemed decision makers and practitioners come together.

Among issues high on the agenda were domestic violence, Aboriginal recognition, ageing and the changing face of racism.

Officially opening the anticipated event on 5 November were FECCA chair Joe Caputo, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka ALC, and Peter Doukas, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism and chair of the Ethnic Communities Council.

Setting his sights on making a difference, Mr Caputo expressed that by the end of the conference, he hoped those involved would “come up with some major proposal that we’ll be advocating to the federal government,” he told SBS.

A pitch was also made for the case of a national multicultural act in the federal parliament, with Helen Kapalos, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission a part of the panel discussion.

According to Sydney-based Themis Kallos, Executive Producer of SBS’s Greek Language Program, the conference was well received, exceeding expectations.

“People were very happy with what they’re seeing, and the participants and speakers were of a high calibre.

“I spoke with past participants and they said it’s one of the best conferences they’ve ever attended,” Mr Kallos told Neos Kosmos.
But for multiculturalism to be truly effective, Cr John Arkan of Coffs Harbour says the federal government needs to be representative of Australia’s diversity.

“When do we see these multicultural faces in the federal government? When is the true reflection of our society going to be seen in the federal arena? We need to raise the debate and we need to raise it at high levels,” said Cr Arkan.
While Mr Ajaka emphasised the need for greater collaboration between the various multicultural bodies across the country.

“The vast majority of us believe in working together first and foremost as Australians, very proud Australians and also having the right to follow aspects of our culture, aspects of our religion, aspects of our belief and again, we’re doing that incredibly well and we need to band together,” he explained.

Amongst those taking part in the conference were a number of Greek Australians, including FECCA Executive Eugenia Grammatikakis; Georgia Zogalis of Settlement Services International (SII); Ross Tzannes AM, former president of the Sydney Film Festival; Mary Patetsos, Aged Care Finance Authority; Dina Petrakis of SSI; amd Kathy Totidis of the Parents & Carers Committee of Homebush Boys High, amongst others.