Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) program

Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) program

The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, known as VicHealth, is an independent statutory authority with a mission to address behavioral and social determinants of health. It is located in the state of Victoria, Australia. VicHealth has identified supporting diversity and reducing race-based discrimination* (herein referred to as discrimination) among its health promotion priorities. There is a link between self-reported discrimination and poor mental health. Social conditions that support cultural diversity have been found to promote good health. Promoting diversity and reducing discrimination are also important for building productive, socially cohesive and inclusive communities, and for protecting human rights.

In 2007, VicHealth published data from a survey of 4000 Victorians in the report More than tolerance: Embracing diversity for health. The findings showed that whilst most Victorians support society being made up of people from different cultures, a substantial minority hold attitudes suggestive of intolerance of ethnic difference. This and other surveys show that people from migrant, refugee and Indigenous backgrounds continue to report unacceptably high rates of discrimination. Although there are a number of promising strategies for promoting diversity and preventing discrimination, few have been rigorously evaluated. More than tolerance recommended the establishment of a pilot program to address interpersonal and local level institutional discrimination in partnership with local government. The Localities Embracing & Accepting Diversity (LEAD) Program responds to those recommendations. It is being undertaken as a partnership between VicHealth, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Victorian local governments and other academic, policy and community experts. The Municipal Association of Victoria is an implementing partner and it is also proudly supported by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship through its Diverse Australia Program (for more information on Diverse Australia visit www.harmony.gov.au) and beyondblue: the national depression initiative.

The LEAD Program is being implemented in two local government areas: the City of Whittlesea and the City of Greater Shepparton. These Councils were selected as they have a strong track record in working to support diversity and address disadvantage affecting people from Indigenous, migrant and refugee backgrounds. This means that they are well-placed to trial new and innovative approaches. The program is being evaluated , with lessons learned in the demonstration areas being shared with policy makers and other local governments.

As a place-based program, LEAD is harnessing the strong track-record of local governments in promoting diversity. Operating at the local level, it is linking a locally tailored social marketing campaign (See Beyond Race) with a range of reinforcing activities including anti-racism training, awareness raising, organizational reviews and community development activities, such as ‘diversity morning teas’.

The LEAD Program aims to:

• promote positive attitudes towards cultural diversity, and decrease discriminatory attitudes and behaviours within whole communities;
• encourage the implementation of policies and practices that promote diversity and prevent discrimination within local organisations;
• create more inclusive local environments with diverse local identities;
• support the capacity of local governments and their communities to create harmony;
• build knowledge and evidence in the primary prevention of discrimination; and
• assess the strengths and limitations of the LEAD model and use learning from the program to help shape future policies, programs and practice.

Target audience:

LEAD focuses on the whole community, seeking address individual attitudes and behaviours, as well as community and organisational cultures and structures that contribute to discrimination or undermine diversity. It has a particular emphasis on addressing responses to those most affected by discrimination, including Asian, African, Muslim/Arab and Indigenous Australians and people from the Indian sub-continent.
A multi-level approach: LEAD involves strategies to promote diversity and reduce discrimination amongst individuals as well as at the organisational and community levels.

Multiple settings:

LEAD focuses on those settings in which the highest rates of discrimination have been recorded: education settings, workplaces, the retail sector and sports clubs and events.

Multiple methods:

LEAD incorporates a combination of strategies including communications and social marketing, direct participation programs, community strengthening activities, organisational development, policy reform and advocacy.

A model based on partnership:

The LEAD partnership model enables it to draw on the strengths of local government and other organisations and experts. Participating local governments have also established relationships with implementation partners at the local level.

Location:

Shepparton, Whittlesea, Australia

Policy/practice area:

Practice in socio-economic integration

Keywords:

Anti-discrimination, Cities and Local Governments, Community building, Culture and diversity, Education and training, Employment and work, Equal opportunities and access, Inclusion and social cohesion, Public perceptions and awareness raising, [KeywordstagsOther]

Integration Practitioner:

Practice implemented by civil society organization

Name of Organization:

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation

Website:

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

Contact Information:

Address:
Level 1, 15-31 Pelham Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Phone:
61 03 9667 1344
Email:
kwebster@vichealth.vic.gov.au

Other stakeholders involved in this practice:

See description above

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