Advocacy

Foundation House advocates to implement and improve policies, programs and services in order to promote the health, wellbeing and human rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

Based on its knowledge and work with refugee background clients and communities, Foundation House communicates with and advocates to government, policy makers and service providers regarding issues of concern and proposed improvements.

We do so in a variety of ways and contexts including:

• Building effective strategic relationships in the government, non-government and private sectors
• Drawing on the expertise and evidence emerging from our Integrated Trauma Recovery Service Model to provide advice and constructively advocate for improvements and changes in mainstream system responsiveness, government policy, programs and resourcing
• Membership of advisory bodies such as the Settlement Services Advisory Council  (Commonwealth) and the Police and Community Multicultural Advisory Committee  (State)
• Conducting and contributing to research investigating issues affecting our client population
• Conducting studies concerned to enhance the accessibility and responsiveness of programs and services
• Through the Victorian Refugee Health Network
• Hosting the annual Max Charlesworth Oration
• Submissions to inquiries conducted by Commonwealth and State Parliaments and other public bodies
• Publishing Statements regarding issues of concern