The New Beginnings Festival: Understanding the benefits of the event for refugees and ethnic minority migrants: Recommendations and key findings

Abstract

This report provides key findings and outcomes from a research project by Dr Najmeh Hassanli, Dr Trudie Walters and Ruth Friedmann and funded by the Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS) on Understanding how events mitigate the adverse effects of oppression for refugees and migrants using the New Beginnings Festival (NBF) as a case study. The aim of this report is to help event organisers: 1. Understand how to generate more positive value for their attendees 2. Demonstrate the importance of multicultural, ethnic and art festivals to funding bodies such as government and community agencies. Key findings and outcomes are provided, positioning the event as important within Australian society and highly valued by attendees. The report shows that in their daily lives, research participants face difficulties with integration into mainstream Australian society. The key benefits of the NBF for them include the provision of a safe space, provision of opportunities, facilitating integration, reducing isolation, promoting advocacy, and breaking down barriers. Interviewees suggested ways for NBF organisers to increase value for participants, which included: • the need for inspiration • assistance with integration and breaking down barriers • provision of advocacy and giving participants a voice • providing opportunities by showcasing their work and achievements • allowing them to share with, mentor and help others • providing opportunities for education Several operational recommendations have been provided, focusing on growing the audience size, increasing awareness of the event, showcasing cultural pride, developing activities and programming, market stalls, seeking sponsorship and providing more staffing and volunteering opportunities.