Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism

What we do

We are a community advisory group which represents people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who call Canberra home.

We are from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We have a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience and understand local issues related to cultural and linguistic diversity.

We work with peak bodies and community groups and provide advice to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs on ways to:

• promote multiculturalism and be a welcoming and inclusive city
• welcome and include migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
• help people from diverse backgrounds access services.

Our services

We provide a way for Canberra’s multicultural communities to communicate directly with the ACT Government.

We do this by regularly talking with people in our community to:

• understand concerns about government policies and programs
• hear views and priorities to inform our work
• raise awareness about the Multiculturalism Act 2023 and the Charter for Multiculturalism.

Each year we hold a forum to hear about issues affecting Canberra’s multicultural communities.

You can bring an issue or idea to us by emailing the Office for Multicultural Affairs.

Our members

Current members are:

• Izabela Barakovska (Chair)
• Dr Shanti Reddy (Deputy Chair)
• Arun Bharatula
• Chin Wong
• Efe Momoh
• Ivapene Seiuli
• Lew Ching Yip
• Sukriti Kapoor
• Dr Sultana Lubna Alam
• Timothy Sunwoo
• Zakia Patel

Terms of reference

Terms of Reference and Guidelines [PDF 501 KB]: sets out council membership and guides the work we do.

Contact us