#035: Multiculturalism in Australia: Migrant and Refugee Integration with Sandra Elhelw

Send us a text

In this episode of The Native Experience podcast, host Brian speaks with Sandra Elhelw, CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia, about the multifaceted journey of migrants and refugees in Australia. The Council is a national peak body representing 130 organisations dedicated to ensuring people of migrant and refugee backgrounds can thrive and belong in their new home.

Sandra shares her personal story, growing up in South Australia as the child of Egyptian immigrants, and how these experiences shaped her passion for social justice and cultural advocacy. She discusses the barriers migrants face, from healthcare access to cultural integration, and the critical role every Australian can play in fostering inclusivity.

Sandra also provides actionable advice on how individuals and organisations can support migrants through everyday actions, whether as neighbours, employers, or colleagues.

Join us for this inspiring dialogue about multiculturalism, belonging, and the power of collective effort to build an inclusive Australia.

Want to know how to authentically reach, include, and engage your audiences in their native language and culture? The Native Experience Marketing (NX) book unveils the innovative NX framework, empowering professionals to develop culturally and linguistically authentic marketing strategies. Learn more about it here!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Sandra Elhelw is the CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia, the national peak body representing Australia’s migrant and refugee services. The Council has 130 member organisations working together towards an Australia where all people of migrant and refugee backgrounds belong, thrive and experience fulfilling lives.

Sandra was born in Whyalla, South Australia, just a couple of months after her family migrated from Egypt. She grew up as a young Muslim woman in the post 9-11 era, and has been deliberating over questions of migration, identity and belonging since her early formative years.

Prior to joining the Council, Sandra worked in frontline roles in migrant and refugee services. Trained as a lawyer, she has previously worked in sexual assault and family violence law reform. She is also pursuing a PhD on Domestic and Family Violence in Australian Muslim communities.

ABOUT THE NATIVE EXPERIENCE:

In each episode, we invite professionals who have successfully localized their products or services, worked with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities to achieve equity, and/or have personal experiences that shed light on unique cultural nuances. Our guests share their empowering stories, lessons, and insights to inspire you to provide native communication in your own endeavors.

At LEXIGO, we believe that providing authentic and meaningful communication is essential to building strong connections with new audiences and markets. This is why we've created this podcast – to empower you, by sharing the experiences, knowledge, and passion of experts in the localisation and language world.

We believe that each guest's story will not only inspire you, but also provide valuable information on how to effectively communicate and connect with diverse audiences.

Whether you're a business owner, marketer, comms professional, translator or cultural enthusiast, or simply someone who values meaningful communication, join us on this journey as we explore the power of native experiences and how they can shape our world!

LINKS:

• Visit our website: Lexigo.com
• Get the Native Experience Marketing book: lexigo.com/nx
• Contact us: [e-mail]