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Seniors from recently arrived communities are increasingly ageing in Australia and organisations may have limited expertise and capability in providing culturally inclusive services to them.
Facilitators
Dr Moses G Adepoju - President, Nigerian Senior Citizen Club of Victoria
Dr Moses' professional journey is marked by his steadfast commitment to human services.
In the early years of his career, he worked as a social worker, where he advocated for new and emerging communities, underprivileged families, and individuals in Victoria.
He later pursued a career in teaching and was involved in several non-profit boards and became actively involved in senior advocacy.
He was instrumental in establishing the Nigerian Senior Citizens Club of Victoria and took on various volunteer roles, contributing to program development and member engagement initiatives.
He believes in empowering seniors to lead active, fulfilling lives and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
Gulghotai (Gula) Bezhan - Founder and CEO, Afghan Women's Organisation Victoria
Gula established AWOV in 2009 with a desire to bridge the social, economic and political gaps faced by Afghan women and girls.
She has immense passion in working to empower women and girls both in Victoria and Afghanistan.
Her 20+ years experience in community work, international aid and her profile as a community leader has enabled her to take a nuanced and effective approach in servicing and supporting the wider community. Gula continues to utilise her platform to advocate, campaign and support Afghan women and girls internationally.
Her work has been recognised by UN Women, UNHCR, the Australian Federal and State Governments, Amnesty International, H.E.R Summit and various other international organisations and bodies.
Gula extended the efforts of AWOV to Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2014 to help empower women and widows through educational and vocational programs at the Afghan Women's Organisation Literacy and Charity Centre.
Barbara Leon - Operations Manager, United Spanish Latin American Welfare Centre
Barbara is a social worker with over 25 years experience in community services settings and not-for-profit sector.
She has experience in the areas of community development, project management, case management for individuals and families, specialist youth homelessness services, mental health and counselling, specifically counselling vulnerable population groups including CALD communities and LGBTIQ communities.
Barbara is an experienced social worker with skills and knowledge in management, community engagement, change management, advocacy, project planning and evaluation, policy development and adherence to legislative requirements.