CEO of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, Gary Cowan, delivered remarks at a dinner celebrating the success of the Chinese Australian Forum’s Civics Education and Media Literacy Workshops. The Foundation is proud to have supported these workshops, which have helped participants gain a deeper understanding of how democracy in Australia works. The workshops also helped participants navigate the media to critically assess information and properly identify misinformation, disinformation, and bias.
Thanks Simon, for the warm introduction, good evening everyone.
I’d like to acknowledge the Gamaragal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet tonight and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
各位来宾，晚上好。
欢迎大家来参加今晚澳华论坛组织的活动。
我知道在场的许多人从澳华论坛的公民教育课程得到了很多启发。谢谢大家的支持和鼓励！
I would particularly like to acknowledge:
- Simon Chan, Chair of Multicultural NSW, President of Chinese Australian Forum, and members of the CAF Committee.
- Many councillors and Chinese-Australian community leaders here tonight.
- Two Foundation Advisory Board members, Chair Marina Go and Board Member, Wendy Huang.
- Jennifer Hsu, from Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.
- Ethelyn Zheng, project manager
- And everyone else who was involved in making the civics education and media literacy workshops and survey as success.
The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations is proud to have supported the Chinese Australian Forum’s civics education and media literacy workshops, as well as the delivery of its first survey findings report.
A word about the Foundation. We are the Australian Government’s national platform for enhancing Australia-China engagement in support of Australia’s national interest. We do this by strengthening risk-informed engagement with China and reinforcing social cohesion by engaging Chinese-Australians, showcasing their contribution, and strengthening their voice and agency.
One part of this mission is working in partnership with Chinese Australian communities. Our collaboration with CAF on the civics workshops is a powerful example of these partnerships.
As the video has just shown, through the civics education workshops in four states, participants gained a deeper understanding of how democracy in Australia works - how to actively participate in democratic processes, and practical ways to advocate for their communities, whether through voting, petitions, or supporting NGOs.
The media literacy component helped participants with tools to navigate both English-language and Chinese-language media, helping them critically assess information and properly identify misinformation, disinformation, and bias. This is also a vital skillset in our democracy.
Expanding these workshops beyond New South Wales into South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria was a priority for the Foundation. This expansion meant more Chinese-Australians could participate meaningfully in Australian civic life, understand their rights and responsibilities, and contribute to shaping our future.
With 1.4 million Chinese-Australians living in Australia, and Mandarin the second most spoken language nationally - followed by Cantonese as the fifth – resources need to be accessible. Providing course materials in language was an important way of supporting full participation by Chinese Australian communities in Australian society.
CAF’s survey findings offer recommendations that can inform future Foundation programming and complement broader government efforts to strengthen social cohesion, belonging, and inclusion.
Beyond the recommendations, the report creates a valuable knowledge base - helping government, community organisations, and stakeholders better understand the experiences, priorities, and needs of Chinese-Australians.
This exchange of insights is essential for developing policies and programs that genuinely reflect Australia’s diversity and respond to the evolving needs of our communities.
The Foundation’s work is powered by partnerships across the country. Projects like CAF’s civics education and media literacy workshops show the positive impact these partnerships can have in strengthening social cohesion and building informed, engaged and confident communities.
Thank you once again, and congratulations to CAF on successfully delivering these workshops and the survey findings report. I look forward to hearing from Dr Jennifer Hsu shortly, who will share the major findings from the survey.
