CAF Hosts Chinese Community Leaders and Multicultural NSW Leadership for Dialogue on Community Engagement and Inclusion

On the evening of Monday 18 May, the Chinese Australian Forum (CAF) hosted a special community briefing and networking evening at Haymarket HQ with senior leadership from Multicultural NSW, bringing together an outstanding group of Chinese Australian community organisations, leaders and partners for a meaningful discussion on the opportunities and challenges shaping multicultural Australia.

CAF was honoured to welcome Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW, and James Jegasothy, Deputy CEO, for an open and constructive conversation focused on community participation, social cohesion and strengthening engagement across culturally diverse communities.

For more than four decades, CAF has played an active role in advocating for the Chinese Australian community — championing issues that matter to the community, speaking out against racism and injustice, creating spaces for civic dialogue, and promoting stronger civic and media literacy across Australia.

During the evening, CAF President Vanessa Chan reflected on the importance of long-term relationship building and community collaboration, noting that meaningful progress is achieved through sustained conversation, mutual understanding and collective effort.

She emphasised that while the Chinese Australian community is diverse in experiences and perspectives, there is a shared commitment to strengthening community capability, encouraging civic participation, and ensuring Chinese Australians continue to have a strong and constructive voice within Australia’s multicultural society.

CAF also shared updates on its growing national Civic and Media Literacy Program, which is expected to engage more than 2,500 Chinese Australians by the end of this year through workshops, forums and educational initiatives designed to strengthen public participation and community understanding.

The evening welcomed representatives from a wide range of community organisations and institutions, including Haymarket Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS), Museum of Chinese in Australia(MOCA), Australian Dongbei Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association, Chinese Community Council of Australia, Way In Network, Chinese Youth League of Australia, Chinese Herald Daily Australiaand the Australia-China Relations Institute.

CAF thanks everyone who attended and contributed to the evening. Building a stronger, more connected and inclusive multicultural Australia is a shared responsibility — one that depends on ongoing dialogue, partnership and community leadership.