PrintNational Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security—state/territory government partnerships
Objective
To partner state and territory governments in implementing projects under the National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security (NAP).
Description
In 2007–08, the department received $461 000 for partnerships with state and territory government agencies to implement projects under the NAP.
Performance
During 2007–08, 11 new partnership agreements were negotiated, formalised through memoranda of understanding or funding agreements and initiated. In addition, projects from 2006–07 and 2005–06 continued.
The new projects built on work undertaken in previous years, each addressing at least one of the four NAP focus areas of education, employment, integration and security. They complemented other NAP initiatives, such as those being undertaken by other federal agencies, and helped to achieve a balance between government support and community responsibility. At the end of 2007–08, 13 projects were still underway. It is expected they will all be completed by the end of the 2008 calendar year.
The 2007–08 state and territory partnership projects achieved the following NAP outcomes:
- provision of employment and training opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market
- engagement of vulnerable people in social, cultural and sporting activities
- increased awareness and appreciation of Australia's cultural and religious diversity
- engagement of members of Australia's Muslim communities with law enforcement agencies.
Projects initiated or extended in 2007–08 included the:
- Arts of Islam Project, which supported visits to an exhibition in the Art Gallery of New South Wales by 600 young people from Western Sydney, enhancing awareness and appreciation of Islamic cultures
- Queensland Muslim Worker Extension Project, which is providing individualised employment support to 245 young people disadvantaged in the labour market
- Intergenerational Mediation Project in outer Melbourne, which enhanced communication between migrant parents and their Australian-born children
- Young People and the Internet Project which is analysing the role of the internet and other new media in encouraging young people to accept or embrace violent or extreme behaviour.
Negotiations with state and territory governments regarding 2008–09 and 2009–10 partnership projects had commenced by the end of 2007–08.
Table 89: National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohersion, Harmony and Security—state/territory government partnerships—performance information| Measures | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 2007–08 | |
| Quality | ||
| Project activity completed according to agreement | All memoranda of understanding and funding agreements signed and initiated within the financial year most substantially met the objectives of their work plans | |
| Quantity | ||
| 8 memoranda of understanding or funding agreements | 8 | 11 |
