The Victorian government has announced today the membership of the Implementation Committee for the African Communities Action Plan (VACAP).
VACAP was developed by and for African communities in partnership with the Victorian Government to improve the wellbeing of all Victorians of African heritage.
“The African Communities Action Plan is a comprehensive, long term strategy to address a wide range of issuesaffecting Victorians of African heritage. We are supporting and empowering Victorians of African heritage, and are proud to work in partnership with communities to implement the Action Plan.”, stated Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott in relation to the announcement.
The following individuals have been appointed as members of the committee, following an expression of interest process:
Mr Ahmed Dini
Mr Nor Shanino
Ms Rabecca Mphande Mr Mahad Warsame
Ms Betty Belay
Mr Fred Alale
Ms Agok Angok
Mr Apollo S. Nsubuga- Kyobe
Ms Monica Aweng-Deng
Ms Monica Forson
Mr Jago Adongjak
Ms Anthea Hancocks (Scanlon Foundation)
The government says it is “committed to working in partnership with Victoria’s African communities through the Implementation Committee”.
Members of the committed will advise the government on how best to allocate and prioritise funding of $8.6 million to support existing investment and the implementation of the Action Plan, including:
- $500,000 to develop and deliver programs that respond to drug and alcohol misuse
- $1 million to support more people into jobs
- $1.5 million to support education outcomes through increased support for homework clubs and school-community liaison officers.
The Minister has announced the Chair of the Implementation Committee, Member for Essendon Danny Pearson Danny, and Deputy Chairs Ms Elleni Bereded-Samuel and Mr Ahmed Hassan at the launch of the Action Plan in April this year.
