ChangeMakers Refugee Forum

 

ChangeMakers Refugee Forum is a rights-based, non-government organisation (NGO) representing over 14 refugee-background communities in Wellington New Zealand.

RECENT INITIATIVES

Health and Disability Rights

Interest and questions from refugee-background communities on their Health and Disability Rights followed the ChangeMakers' Community Forum held in April.

Maureen Zaya, the Health and Disability Advocate specialising in Refugee Services in the Wellington region who presented at the Forum, has made her PowerPoint presentation available to communities here.

If you'd like to contact Maureen directly, ring her at 04 389 2504.

If you were unable to attend the forum, and have questions or want to learn more about your disability rights and/or supporting someone with a disability, ChangeMakers and the Human Rights Commission are holding a Community Forum on Disability and Human Rights.

Date:     Saturday 9th June 2012
Time:    2:00pm to 5:30pm
Place:   New Dowse Gallery Museum, opposite Refugee Services Building in Lower Hutt

At this forum, you will:

  • Learn about your rights as a disabled person or as somebody supporting a disabled adult or child.
  • Share your stories, and your family's, about disability: What is working? What should be improved?

We will be able to cover your travel costs and also provide food.

If you are able to attend the forum, please confirm before 25th May so this workshop can go ahead.

To confirm attendance: email Carina at carina@crf.org.nz or Desigin at desigint@hrc.co.nz

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Communities Workshop: Transition from a benefit to work 
Date:      Thursday 17th May 2012 
Time:     2:30pm to 5:00pm
Place:    47 Laings Rd,  Lower Hutt, Te Awa Kairangi, Refugee Services Building

This workshop will cover: 

  • Work and Income will talk about the transition from a benefit to work and how they can support you to employment.
     
  • Pathways to Employment will talk about their service and how they assist Work and Income clients from refguee backgrounds to achieve their employment goals.
     
  • There will also be an opportunity to talk with employers and training providers about industry training and work experience and employment opportunities.

ChangeMakers will provide travel vouchers and refreshments.

This seminar is organised by ChangeMakers with the support from Work and Income.

For more information please contact Mohammad at mohammad@crf.org.nz or 801 5812.

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 Want to learn more about refugees' lives in New Zealand?

A recent 20/20 TV programme features the stories of two refugee families from very different backgrounds who feel grateful to call New Zealand their home.

Let them inspire you - watch the clip here.

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Family Reunification Workshops

ChangeMakers and The Department of Labour held four community forums focussing on the changes to family reunification. Over 180 people from across communities attended the  workshops and were given information on the opening of Tier 2.

If you were unable to attend the workshops and would like information, please contact Alia at alia@crf.org.nz

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New DVD and booklet resource available for purchase:

 

How bullying affects us: refugee-background youth talk back

This dvd and booklet explores the impact of bullying on refugee-background high school students.

ChangeMakers Refugee Forum and Voice Arts Trust worked with Collabor8 – a group of eight refugee-background youth – documenting youths’ views about the bullying and designing a drama, which was performed on World Refugee Day 2011.

 Watch a short clip of the DVD.

To buy a copy of the resource, please fill in this form and email it to alia@crf.org.nz, or contact her at 04 801 5812.