December 20^th, 2011

YOUTH RESILIENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES

The Curbing Radicalisation through Youth Resilience and Community Partnerships project is an initiative of the Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS) funded by the Australian Government, Attorney-General’s Department.  The project focuses on developing and facilitating a series of workshops and activities for Arabic Speaking Background (ASB) youth living in the municipality of Hume, Moreland and Hobson’s Bay.  Participants are recruited from high schools, tertiary institutions, local communities and police members. Workshops and activities are aimed at building resilience by providing avenues for positive expression and mutual understanding of diversity.

As part of the project, VASS invited Monash Researchers from the Global Terrorism Research Centre (GTReC) , Dr Pete Lentini and Dr Anna Halafoff, to present their research findings to members of the Muslim community through weekly workshops. These workshops encouraged an exchange of discussions, experiences and possible solutions to issues between the researchers and the participants of the workshops.  Workshop themes included Multi-faith Understanding, Middle Eastern Culture in Contemporary Australian society (Issues of Identity), Impact of Global Issues on Islamic and Middle Eastern communities living in Australia, Non-violent Techniques in Overcoming Racism and Stigmatisation and How to Get Involved (Media Training).

VASS received positive feedback from workshop participants who felt that they made gains in conflict resolution, insight into people’s problems, well balanced views on Islam from life experience, theoretical knowledge of radicalisation and possible solutions at localised levels.  Participants also felt that the openness and honesty of the discussions made the tools for learning effective.

The next step is to assist participants to create online forums and opportunities to blog online, assist participants in computer programming and website creation with the intent of sharing Islamic values and culturally appropriate forums like Halaltube and Muslim Village. Those interested will also be given the opportunity to maintain their cultural and religious rights through multimedia, animation and storytelling.

Media workshops are due to commence in January 2012.  For expressions of interest please contact Donia Salem at VASS on (03) 93592861 or donia.salem@vass.org.au.

VASS Arabic Women Seniors Group-Dandenong

The Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS) Office in the South East successful received funding through Arthritis Victoria from Parks Victoria to purchase Nordic Walking Sticks to be utilised by elderly women from an Arabic Speaking Background in their weekly exercise program. Nordic Walking Sticks are beneficial for people suffering from Arthritis. Nordic Walking Sticks are also effective as jogging, as gentle as walking and it is perfect to do with a group of old and new friends. Because Nordic Walking uses poles it engages your whole body and works all your major muscles from head to toe. The result is an effective, easy and fun exercise.

Ten Nordic Walking Sticks were provided to the Arabic Women’s Seniors Group

Three women and volunteers were trained by Arthritis Victoria on how to use the Nordic Walking Sticks. These women and volunteers later trained the group on how to use the sticks. On November 17^th, 2011 the Arabic Women’s Seniors Group launched the small project which generated interest from Parks Victoria and from local media. The group was filmed doing an exercise routine in a local park, located near the Jan Wilson Community Centre which the women utilise for weekly meetings every Thursday from 11am – 1pm.

For more information please contact Iman Allaf on (03) 9706 8933 or email iman.allaf@vass.org.au.

The program is part of the Curbing Radicalisation through Youth Resilience and Community Partnerships and the first workshop will take place Tuesday November 22nd, 2011 at the VASS Head Office in Broadmeadows.

Click on the link below to find out more about the program.

Youth Leadership Program

Rivoli Receptions, 802 Sydney Road, Brunswick. RSVP before December 5th, 2011 by contacting VASS on 9359 2861

http://www.vass.org.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=786&action=edit&message=6

http://hume-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/vass-victory/

Thank you for your support!

The current format of the show has a different theme each episode (such as Arabic traditions, food, sport etc) where its split into regular categories consisting of an exploring the Arab world segment, vox pops, guest interviews, mini-docos, Arabic lifestyle segment and Arabic trivia.

The exploring the Arab world segment consists of interviewing a person from one of the 22 countries of the Arab league and getting them to bring in some objects from that country which they can explain and show to the audience. We take a look at countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Egypt to name a few.

The vox pops segment is where TV reporters go into the street or to a particular location where they ask the same question to random people. The topic is usually related to Arabic culture and is a fun, exciting and unpredictable way of finding out what people’s opinions are. You will be surprised by what some people say!

The Arabic trivia segment consists of one of the hosts asking the same contestants questions about the Arab world in a game show format. When the player answers it right, they are given points each episode, with the winner taking home the gold medal in the final episode.

The guest interviews occur where the hosts interview a person usually related to the theme of the show. So far we have interviewed an Arabic calligrapher, journalist, youth Arab president and refugee worker. The mini-docos also relate to the theme of the show and look a bit further into particular issues. Where as the Arabic lifestyle segment is a random segment that looks at various aspects of the Arab lifestyle including performance, food, clothing etc.

Overall Kalam TV is a television show that gives you an insight into the Arabic-Australian youth culture like never before. It will also open your eyes to one of the most talked about regions in the world, where you will discover the incredible hospitality, friendliness and contribution of the Arabic-speaking people.

Brought to you by the Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS)

Click on the below link to see the trailer for Kalam TV Series 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPv00FJFYk

On Thursday 20th October 2011, the VASS Hume Assyrian Chaldean Women’s Group will be presenting ‘Yalikhta D’Khlolane’ at the Lynda Blundell Community Centre (185-225 Blair St, Broadmeadows). The event will commence at 10am until 12pm.

It is an open event and welcomes the community of Hume.

Please see attached flyer

Yalikhta Dkhlolane Event Flyer

For more information contact Mesko Ayouz on (03) 9359 2861 or mail@vass.org.au.

The Event is proudly funded by the Hume City Council Festival of Music Community Grants Program.

http://vimeo.com/23843600

The short film is supported by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program.