Abstract
This article discusses the impact and implications of ‘I’m a Local…’, an initiative developed in partnership between a regional university, a refugee resettlement community organisation and former refugees from African nations in a regional Australian community. The initiative sought to improve understandings about refugees, acknowledge their contributions to Australian society and support local, inclusive cultures. It included the development of public resources exploring the process of former refugees in establishing a sense of belonging and becoming ‘locals’. Racialised ‘Others’ continue to be excluded from ‘belonging’ within Australian communities at a wide range of practical and symbolic levels, so it remains an ongoing challenge to broaden the experience of belonging, challenge the borders erected around ‘local’ identities, and work to transform Australia’s post-colonial paradigm. ‘I’m a Local…’ provides an instructive example of how change agents from different sectors working collaboratively can dismantle prevailing discourses and affirm more inclusive and hopeful futures.
Highlights
Resettlement in non-metropolitan areas is a relatively recent but growing phenomenon in refugee destination countries like Australia
This article discusses the impact and implications of ‘I’m a Local...’, an initiative developed in partnership between a regional university, a refugee resettlement community organisation and former refugees from African nations in a regional Australian community
This paper is an exploration of the impact of ‘I’m a Local...’, an initiative developed in partnership between a regional Australian university, a refugee resettlement organisation and former refugees in a regional town in northern New South Wales, Australia
Summary
I want to be an Australian and build a new life that will shape my future (John, cited in Shoebridge 2017) This experience of localism indicates the depth of engagement and belonging achieved by people who had come to the region as refugees, and affirmed that regional areas could be communities that welcomed, supported and were strengthened by diversity. Cassie noted that she was a member of a local basketball team while Anthony located his membership of the local soccer club as a key tool for fostering belonging These themes echo key findings from the academic literature on successful resettlement for refugees in Australia, which highlight the value of inclusive sporting, education and employment opportunities in building a sense of belonging, connection to community, and social capital (Curry et al 2018; Kivunja et al 2014; Major et al 2013; Spaaij 2015)
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