Ethnolink hosted its groundbreaking Ethnolink Summit at Zinc at Fed Square on Wednesday the 23rd of August 2023, marking a historic day for communications in Australia. The event, the largest summit to be hosted in Australia on multicultural communications attracted over 250 attendees from the Victorian Government, Australian Government, local councils, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector. Attracting over 250 attendees, the summit served as an inspiring celebration of Australia’s multicultural nation, uniting diverse voices in dialogue to reflect on successes and areas for growth in communications for multicultural communities. It was truly inspiring to see so many people in attendance, demonstrating their commitment to the advancement of multicultural communications in Australia. In light of the resoundingly positive feedback, we are already planning an ambitious schedule for the next 12 months, featuring events not just in Melbourne but also interstate. – Founder & CEO of Ethnolink, Costa Vasili The Opening Address was provided by the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Commissioner Mohamed Mohideen which set the scene with enlightening insights, fostering a heart-centred connection that resonated throughout the day. Morning sessions featured representatives from Crime Stoppers Victoria, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), and Continence Foundation of Australia, leading engaging talks on multicultural communications, translations, and professional standards in the translating and interpreting sector. A well-received Community Panel hosted by Ethnolink’s Head of Community Engagement added depth to the discussions. Afternoon sessions included speakers from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria, Third Culture Australia, R U OK?, and the Centre of Cultural Diversity in Ageing. They delved into topics such as reaching diverse communities, bridging understanding, and connecting with seniors. A highlight of the summit was the keynote by Dr. Erika Gonzalez from RMIT University, titled “Quality: A shared responsibility.” Her insights, combined with panel discussions, enriched the audience’s understanding of the shared responsibility in quality communication. It was heartwarming to see so many people together working towards a common goal. It was insipiring to see the excellent work being done in so many spaces. I was very humbled to be one of the participants in this fantastic event. When are we having the next one? – Erika Gonzalez (PhD), RMIT University The summit also featured music from local musician and Bouzouki player Notis Karidakis, adding a cultural flair to the event. The day concluded at 4:30 pm, leaving attendees enriched with new connections, insights, and a shared passion for enhancing multicultural communications in Australia. Special thanks were extended to the event sponsors NAATI, Health Translations, and Punchy Digital Media, whose support was vital to the success of the event. Costa expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved, including the entire team at Ethnolink. Ethnolink Summit 2023 serves as a reflection of Australia’s commitment to embracing multiculturalism. It’s a symbol of the nation’s drive to create accessible and translated web content, foster professional standards, and enable more inclusive communication across all communities. Ethnolink’s dedication to building a connected, collaborative community through inclusive communications has set a new standard for industry engagement. Missed out on the event? Express your interest in attending future events hosted by Ethnolink.
