Australian unions are proud to support the Welcome to Australia campaign to make asylum seekers and new migrants feel welcome to our country.<\/p>\n
ACTU President Ged Kearney was today announced as an ambassador of Welcome to Australia, which aims to develop diversity, compassion, generosity and a commitment to give all individuals a fair go in our communities, workplaces and institutions<\/p>\n
Ms Kearney said she was proud to support the initiative, which celebrated the fact that Australia\u2019s cultural diversity has helped shape our nation\u2019s story.<\/p>\n
“Migrants have made an enormous contribution to Australia’s economy and workforce, and continue to do so,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralian unions extend a warm welcome to everyone who has come to our shores from afar, and pledge\u00a0 to continue to fight prejudice, bigotry, and xenophobia wherever we encounter it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelcome to Australia is a wonderful initiative that seeks to promote wider understanding of our rich diversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also aims to support newly-arrived Australians to feel welcome here, by helping to familiarise them with Australia\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we can learn so much from each other and our experiences no matter where we were born.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralians were lucky to be born into a nation as prosperous as ours, while many of those who seek asylum here come from vastly different lands and experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fortunate to be able to open our communities and our hearts to these people who deserve the same opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn turn, we can learn and gain wider experiences by welcoming into our communities those from other cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Kearney encouraged all Australians to support Welcome to Australia\u2019s \u201cWalk Together\u201d event on Saturday, June 23 to start Refugee Week.<\/p>\n
The event, to be held in capital cities and regional centres, recognises Australians all share a common journey, regardless of how they arrived here.<\/p>\n