The Rohingya Little Local: exploring innovative models of refugee engagement in Sydney, Australia
Amy Bestman
A B F , Jane Lloyd B , Barbara Hawkshaw C E , Jawat Kabir D and Elizabeth Harris B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales.
B Centre for Primary Healthcare and Equity, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales.
C Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Tower A Level 5/197–201 Coward Street, Mascot, NSW 2020, Australia.
D Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia.
E Present address: Retired.
F Corresponding author. Email: abestman@georgeinstitute.org.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 26(5) 367-373 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY20045
Submitted: 4 March 2020 Accepted: 11 August 2020 Published: 2 October 2020
Journal Compilation © La Trobe University 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
The Rohingya community living in the City of Canterbury-Bankstown in Sydney have been identified as a priority population with complex health needs. As part of ongoing work, AU$10 000 was provided to the community to address important, self-determined, health priorities through the Can Get Health in Canterbury program. Program staff worked with community members to support the planning and implementation of two community-led events: a soccer (football) tournament and a picnic day. This paper explores the potential for this funding model and the effect of the project on both the community and health services. Data were qualitatively analysed using a range of data sources within the project. These included, attendance sheets, meeting minutes, qualitative field notes, staff reflections and transcripts of focus group and individual discussions. This analysis identified that the project: (1) enabled community empowerment and collective control over funding decisions relating to their health; (2) supported social connection among the Australian Rohingya community; (3) built capacity in the community welfare organisation –Burmese Rohingya Community Australia; and (4) enabled reflective practice and learnings. This paper presents an innovative model for engaging with refugee communities. Although this project was a pilot in the Canterbury community, it provides knowledge and learnings on the engagement of refugee communities with the health system in Australia.
Keywords: co-design, community engagement, health promotion, refugee health.
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