Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, signed a formal commitment to the national initiative which promotes social cohesion and the benefits of diverse, multicultural communities.

“Lake Macquarie welcomes people of all backgrounds in our community and recognises the value and richness that cultural diversity brings to our City,” Cr Fraser said.

“We are increasingly a city of choice for migrants looking to make a home in Australia, with the number of overseas-born people who live in Lake Macquarie having increased by about 70 per cent over the past decade, to nearly 15 per cent of our population.

“We are proud of the diversity of our City and the welcoming nature of our community. Becoming a member of Welcoming Cities will link Lake Macquarie with like-minded communities and allow us to share ideas about how we can further promote and enhance social cohesion.

“It also makes an important statement about our shared vision for the future at a time when there is sadly still much prejudice and intolerance in the world.”

Welcoming Cities was established in 2016 and is part of a growing global movement that includes similar organisations such as Welcoming America in the United States, Cities of Migration, based in Toronto, Canada, and the European Union’s Intercultural Cities network. The National Manager, Mr Aleem Ali, welcomed Lake Macquarie’s commitment to the initiative.

“We’re excited to be working with Lake Macquarie City Council to create communities where everyone can belong and participate in social, economic, and civic life,” Mr Ali said.

Welcoming Cities is developing a National Standard that will allow local councils in Australia to measure the success of their cultural diversity and inclusion policies and practices.

Lake Macquarie’s commitment to inclusion and cultural diversity is reaffirmed throughout  Council’s key community planning strategies, including its Multicultural Plan, Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Community Strategic Plan.