Victorian Refugee Health Network E-bulletin April 2009

1. The Healthy Living in Wyndham Karen Community Resource Kit will be launched by the Wyndham Humanitarian Network on Friday 24th April, 11:30am-12:30pm at the Werribee Community Centre, 4 Synnot St, Werribee.
The resource kit provides information on service referral and covers the topics of Safety in the Home, Dental Health, Personal Health, Healthy Food Habits, Staying Fit and Active, Alcohol and Tobacco and Mental Health. Further information and RSVP: Email enquiries@werribeecc.net or Ph: (03) 9742 4013.

2. Lecture Series on FGM Issues: The Royal Women's Hospital Comfort Momoh Lecture Series is being held from 21-28 April and will focus on improving the clinical care and social and cultural support provided to women and communities affected by FGM.  To find out more and/or register to attend go to: Comfort Momoh Series

3. Have your say on a Human Rights Act for Australia: The National Human Rights Consultation Committee is holding community roundtables to hear your views about whether or not Australia should have a Human Rights Act. Public consultations will be held in Mildura on April 29th, 12-2pm at the Mildura Club, 85-91 Deakin Ave, Mildura and Ballarat on May 24th, time and venue to be announced. Visit www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au for more information, confirmation of times, locations and registration.

4. Invitation for submissions: The Australian Human Rights Commission is conducting national consultations and calling for submissions to explore issues relating to the settlement of African Australians. The commission recently released a discussion paper titled: African Australians: A Report on Human Rights and Social Inclusion Issues which is part of the Commission's Community Partnerships for Human Rights program.  For information, visit the Human Rights Commission, African Australian Project website. 

Resources

5. The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health's new website features national and international resources, key information on cultural competence and  health issues, multilingual resources, a wide range of publications and information about CEH workshops and training. It also features three unique sub-sites, relating to the three major programs of CEH: Health Sector Development, Multicultural Gambler's Help Program, and Multicultural Health and Support Services. Go to: www.ceh.org.au 

6. A Forum on Somali Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Education was presented by ADEC in partnership with Spectrum, Northern Division of GPs and the Austin Hospital on the 15th April at Bellfield Community Health Centre in Heidelberg. The forum covered the importance of seeking help, how to talk to your Sheikh and your doctor about mental health issues, different types of medication, dealing with a crisis situation and what to expect in hospital. Resources, including a DVD: Stories of Somali Health were distributed at the forum. For more information or copies of the DVD, contact Ahmed Tohow at ADEC on ahmed@adec.org.au  or (03) 9480 1666.

Professional Development

7. Refugee Nutrition and Physical Activity Professional Network: the inaugural meeting of this Network was held at VicHealth on April 1st and attended by 45 representatives of community health, education, local and state government agencies. Participants shared information about current activities and programs and identified key priority issues and barriers to working with this vulnerable population. A report of the meeting is available: click here. 

8. Training workshop on Working with newly arrived African communities on issues relating to BBV and STIs run by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health will be held on Wednesday 6th May, 9am-4pm (lunch included). Cost $50, includes resource manual. It will provide an overview of the various perceptions, beliefs and barriers that exist in the newly-arrived African communities in relation to sexual health issues, particularly HIV, Hepatitis C and STIs.  Bookings or enquiries to enquiries@ceh.org.au or phone (03) 9342 9700. 

Research

9. The General Practice and Primary Health Care Research Conference 2009 will be held at the Melbourne Crown Promenade Hotel, July 15-17.  Earlybird registration closes 29th May 2009.  A Refugee Health table is being planned by Refugee Health Network of Australia representatives at a lunch time slot during the conference. For more information and to register visit:  http://www.phcris.org.au/conference/2009/

10. The International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development 2009 Asia Pacific Workshop: Human development in the context of movement within and across national boundaries will be held on July 4-5  in Adelaide.
Keynote speakers include Prof. Marc Bornstein of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USA and Prof. Sandy Gifford of the Refugee Health Research Centre. For more information and applications forms email: nvij@unimelb.edu.au or website:
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Custom.aspx?cid=17&i=76820f08-2fc0-4c7a-8204-22ea702e90e2

Special thanks to Carmel Hobbs who prepared this edition of the E-Bulletin.

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