Democracy in Colour X YCollab Listening Session

Are you a person of colour who is or has been on a temporary visa in Sydney? We want to hear from you! YCollab, in collaboration with Democracy in Colour, is hosting a listening session on Saturday 9th July 2022 to hear from one another about the challenges you or your community have had on Australia’s visa scheme.

You will meet new people, share your experiences in small groups and find the common challenges that arise from all our stories. This first step of listening will help us understand what big issues people are facing on temporary visas.

YCollab is a non-for-profit organisation based in South West Sydney seeking to empower young change makers to create positive social impact. There is currently a gap within our understanding of the experiences of people on temporary visas in South West Sydney – we believe there is value in coming together to share these experiences with each other. 

This listening session forms part of Democracy in Colour’s Migration with Dignity campaign seeking to form a community of people on temporary visas to demand rights with dignity. We recognise that most people of colour on this continent have direct experience with the Australian migration system, either through their own journey or that of their parents and wider family network.

Date: Saturday 9 July 2022

Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm

Location: Cabramatta Community Centre and Hall, corner of McBurney Road and Railway Parade, Cabramatta NSW 2166

What: 

• Sharing stories with one another around the challenges of being on temporary visa in Australia
• You can be currently on a temporary visa or just recently got your permanent residency and would like to share your experiences of when you were on temporary visa
• Lunch will be provided

How to get here:

• Approximately a 5 minute walk from Cabramatta train station.

Accessibility

• Accessible by wheelchair 

COVID-19 Safety

• This event will be following COVID Safe practices and local restrictions, making sure everyone can stay 1.5 metres apart, with hand sanitiser provided.
• We encourage you to take precautions to look after your own health and others - be sure to come wearing a face mask if possible, maintain social distancing when travelling to the event and follow the instructions of organisers.
• Please do not attend this event if you are feeling unwell, or if you have been experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, are awaiting test results or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Consider carefully before attending a Democracy in Colour event if you are in one of the groups that are most at risk from a COVID infection. This includes older people, people with weakened immune systems and people with diagnosed, underlying medical conditions.
• COVID marshals will be checking proof of vaccination upon entry.
  • Fully vaccinated means a person has had the required two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

We know that there are many problems with the visa system and how it exploits migrants from multicultural backgrounds everyday, making it difficult for people to lead a stable and secure life.

Come and share your stories and experiences and find community with one another!