| Minister for Social Services Levin Andrews and Parliamentary Secretary Concetta Fierravanti-Wells announced the new members of the Australian Multicultural Council which advises the Government on multicultural affairs.
Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM, Chair
Dr Bulent Hass Dellal OAM
Ms Helena Kyriazopoulos
Ms Faiza Rehman
Mr Vasan Srinivasan
Ms Charlotte Vidor
The University of Western Sydney's Director of Equity and Diversity, Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM, has been appointed Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council by the Australian Government.
The announcement was recently made by the Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, and Parliamentary Secretary, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
The Council's role is to advise the Government on multicultural affairs.
Dr Ozdowski was the Australian Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the then named Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission from 2000-2005.
He has also headed the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs in South Australia for five years, and since 2006 has been the President of the Australian Council for Human Rights Education.
His commitment to multiculturalism and human rights has been demonstrated throughout his distinguished career, and has been recognised with various Australian and international honours, including an Order of Australia medal in 1995.
Minister Andrews said the Government's support for the Council confirmed its commitment to a multicultural Australia and to building a stronger Australian community.
"The Council will advise the Government on ways to sustain and support socially cohesive communities, to ensure all Australians have the opportunity to participate, engage and contribute to Australian life," said Minister Andrews.
UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, congratulated Dr Ozdowski on behalf of the University community.
"This is a very fitting appointment given Dr Ozdowski's long and distinguished career in multicultural affairs in Australia, and his significant international reputation in human rights education," said Professor Glover.
Dr Ozdowski congratulated the five members who were also appointed to the Council, and says he looks forward to working with them on multicultural issues.
"It will be a great pleasure to advise the Australian government on how to strengthen and implement Australia's multicultural policies and programs to serve us all well. Celebrating diversity and the 'fair go' is what modern Australia is about. Our multicultural success makes Australia the envy of the world," says Dr Ozdowski.
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