Multicultural communities
Embracing diversity
Australia’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest strengths.
Your learning community will have families from many different backgrounds. This diversity provides an opportunity to learn from others and enrich our lives in ways beyond our own cultural experiences.
Furthermore, teaching children and young people to value their and others' cultural identities is important for their social and emotional wellbeing.
On this page, you’ll find a range of Fact Sheets and videos that:
- delve into cultural diversity and inclusion topics and frameworks
- provide practical advice and actions you can implement in your learning community.
Resources on this page explore topics you may find confronting, such as racism, trauma and discrimination. If you do experience feelings of distress, please reach out to a trusted friend or colleague. Be You also has a list of Mental health services and support helplines.
The many and varied First Nations communities and cultures are part of the cultural diversity in Australia. Learn more about cultural responsiveness, sensitivity and protocols in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on the Be You First Nations communities page.
Fact Sheets
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Cultural diversity and mental health
An overview of cultural diversity, how it relates to wellbeing, and challenges we may face as part of our cultural identities.
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Promoting cultural diversity
Strategies and actions you can use in your learning community to create an inclusive, welcoming environment.
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Glossary
Definitions of key terms and concepts relating to cultural diversity, equity and inclusion.
Videos
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Diversity
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Tokenism and how to avoid it
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The cultural iceberg
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Potential barriers to engaging with multicultural communities
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Family partnerships and creating welcoming spaces
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Creating a shared vision for your early learning service
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Diversity Council Australias 5 steps to inclusive language
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Practical ways to explore and promote cultural diversity in early learning services
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Practical ways to embrace cultural diversity and support inclusion in schools
Emerging Minds
Emerging Minds is an Australian organisation that provides information, training courses and resources about children's mental health for professionals and families. Here is selection of their resources to support cultural responsiveness.
Please note: Some of these resources include information for mental health practitioners. Make sure you consider any suggested advice or actions within the responsibilities of your role and in line with your learning community’s policies and procedures.
Understanding children's mental health in culturally diverse communities
A 2-hour online course exploring culturally responsive and inclusive practices when working with children and families.
Global majority and language empowerment
A 30-minute podcast discussing cultural identity, pride and empowerment through language and terminology.
Racism, children's mental health and anti-racist practice
A fact sheet exploring different types of racism, how it relates to mental health and the steps you can take to start embedding anti-racist practice.
A paper that discusses practising cultural responsiveness when working with children, young people and families.
Acknowledgements
Be You thanks Embrace Multicultural Mental Health and the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network. They provided valuable expertise and insights in reviewing and curating the Be You resources on this page
Further resources
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First Nations communities
Resources to support respectful, meaningful engagement with First Nations communities.
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Disability inclusion
Be You resources that can support you in creating inclusive and welcoming learning communities that promote belonging and celebrate everyone's strengths.
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Educator wellbeing
Be You recognises that educators are facing increasing pressures that can affect your mental health and wellbeing. Our resources are here to help.
Start your journey with Be You today
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