Strengthening ties between Filipinos and the Ethnic Communities Council of the South East

Ethnic communities particularly in the Melbourne southeast can look forward to more collaborative consultations regarding issues that may significantly impact on migrant groups following a roundtable discussion among community representatives led by the Ethnic Communities Council of the South East current Chairperson Sam Afra. Present during the roundtable were: Mr. Sam Afra as the Chair, Maria Smith AFCS, Dr. Moses Adepoju Care Africa, Dr. Hamed Saberi Afghan Network, Mr. Shukri Somali Community, Ms. Jayasinghe Sri Lankan Community.

The Australian-Filipino Community Services (AFCS) Chairperson Maria Smith (among other groups representatives) has welcomed this new strategic partnership with ECCOSE to proactively contribute to improving the welfare and wellbeing of our international students, particularly after the COVID lockdown when job opportunities are scarce.

The board of the Ethnic Communities Council of the South East (ECCOSE Inc) has set its fundamental program and agreed on the blue print resolutions for the year to support the Multicultural Communities in the South Eastern Suburbs. Sam Afra, ECCOSE Chairperson made the announcement at the end of a Round Table discussion held on Australia Day.

Mr. Afra has pledged to resume the work of ECCOSE immediately to advocate, represent, support, educate and guide our multicultural community during this hard time. 

Sam Afra clarified that due to unforeseen challenges, ECCOSE was compelled to do limited activities in the last few years, but now with a full working board, ECCOSE is fully prepared and in a good position to proceed to service its members’ needs.

Mr Afra highlighted that mental health issues, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, work place challenges in the COVID-19 new normal, International students, senior citizens issues were discussed in depth, and will be on top of our future discussions with all ECCOSE members.

Mr Afra added that ECCOSE as usual will make sure that all its partners will be engaged to maximise the benefit of members in the short and the long term.