SEVA INTERNATIONAL INC.

BACKGROUND.

The Indian sub- continent's   "historical connection" with Australia dates back to the early settlers in this country through merchandise trade and the interface between the early settlers in Australia and senior British administrative and military officers from India - even some peddlers and hawkers who came to settle down here.

However  it is only in recent years -particularly since the mid- 20^th Century and more so within the past 30 odd years, that there has been a pronounced growth in the numbers of South Asians (SA) - that is people of Indian, Bangladeshi , Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Maldivian ancestry - in Australia. These people have arrived not only from the sub continent, but also from other parts of the world. The community of South Asians is now one of the fastest growing numbers in Australia. Sydney / NSW, has by far the largest numbers followed by Melbourne / Victoria. In many areas it is now the third or fourth largest community group.                            

SEVA' s VALUES :

SEVA believes, in being an Instrument of Social Change.

It has an abiding faith in the concept of Social Unity in Diversity. 

It holds a firm belief in the principles of social justice, social inclusion, social enterprise and in social cohesion of the SA communities with the wider Australian society.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               CONTEXT.

   *Since its Incorporation in 2003, SEVA has succeeded in filling a gap within the SA community, of a community based organization, solely dedicated to identifying and addressing the social and welfare needs and issues of the growing SA community in the Sydney Metro region. It is a non funded, non political NGO which is the first and only community based organisation which has embraced the concept of social entrepreneurship as its cardinal principle of operations. 

Social exclusion being a major concern of any new settler community in any country, the SA community was no exception.

·         Accordingly in its First Phase, SEVA was able to identify Access and Equity to Information and Services provided by the relevant service agencies and authorities as being a major issue and an essential need to be met.

·         In its Second Phase, SEVA conducted various activities to address this area of concern, through organizing Info sessions, workshops, seminars, Community Forums and simultaneously establishing partnership arrangements & networking with relevant service providers such as Migrant Resource Centres, and Multicultural Community services networks.

·         In so doing , SEVA was able to :-

      Establish itself as a credible point of contact between the SA community and the relevant service providers and agencies;

      facilitate the community itself starting to focus on addressing the social and  welfare needs through the formation of various formal and informal groups for specific purposes. The community's previous focus had been predominantly on cultural, recreational and religious activities.

Major activities.

·         " Unity in Diversity - Asian Conference" held in 2006 at the Holroyd Centre, Merrylands-  in partnership with the Baulkham Hills Parramatta Holroyd MRC and the Holroyd and Parramatta city Councils and SEVA - a whole day event during which canvassed Health, Employment and Education issues with concurrent workshops on these topics;

·         Launch of SEVA's website at Parra Villa Function Lounge - web/ logo design by UTS students of the Architecture and Design school - 2007;  students of UTS Business school had also prepared a strategic plan for SEVA as a part of their work experience;

·         A  South Asian Conference at Ashfield in partnership with the local council and the Canterbury Bankstown MRC - by way of providing an introduction to migrant services from agencies and departments such as department of employment, education and workplace relations - DEEWR); Centrelink, TAFE, Access Training Group for business; and multi cultural health services - in 2008.

·         Focus Group and community forums for seniors in the community focusing on community care options;

·         Feasibility study for setting up a South Asian Womens' Cooperative with funding from the Parramatta city council - study conducted by students of TAFE Granville under supervision by a TAFE teacher as part of work experience 2009 - this is now being followed up with the preparing a Business plan for the cooperative again funded by the Parramatta Council and mentored by Westpac Bank - 2010.

·         Workshop on dealing with Inter generational issues within the South Asian community - held at Chatswood in partnership with the Willoughby Council - 2009;

·          South Asian Community Consultative Reference Panel - Draft submission to Government ( DIAC) on " The Underutilization and Under employment of Technically Skilled and Professional Migrants from South Asia: Key issues and suggested remedies. 2009;    

·         Setting up of South Asian carers support Group under the auspices of SEVA; parents with children with autism and other severe disabilities; - 2009

·         South Asian seniors Information day at Epping on health issues in collaboration with the Northern Sydney Multicultural Access project - 2010

·         A Health and wellbeing workshop for South Asian Women held in partnership with the Hornsby shire council - 2010     

The successful conduct of the above programs and initiatives has revealed to SEVA, the urgent need for a totally dedicated, community based social research oriented organization for the SA community.

SEVA'S current structure and focus.

Ø  Having regard to the above and the experience that SEVA has gathered over the years, the contacts and networks established, the human resources (in terms of the social researchers and academics available within the SA community) and consistent with its mission and as a natural progression it was natural for SEVA to now direct its Focus primarily to the  conduct of evidence based Social Research, Social Policy Development, Planning and Solutions.

AIM.

To undertake evidence based Social Research, Policy Development and Social Planning activities towards the SA community's social development. Activities to be practical and solutions oriented

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVIDENCE BASED SOCIAL RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING PROJECTS.

·         Undertake research projects to be conducted on identified and agreed areas, which will be evidence- based and will look at issues - such as ways and means to improve service deliveries by federal, state and other agencies who have not addressed the issues of social inclusion and other culturally appropriate needs of the SA community ;

·         Based on the research and analysis, it should be possible to seek solutions to solve the problems and to canvass them with appropriate authorities and to build a body of knowledge on social issues affecting the SA communities;

v  develop policy documents and mobilize the community, the relevant services and  authorities;

v  seek access to professional and voluntary expertise from research institutes and tertiary educational institutions and community members to undertake policy analysis and provide research based proposals to public policy makers at various levels;

v  facilitate building of community consensus on issues by providing a non threatening meeting place and environment for discussions and resolution of difficult social issues confronting the community;

v  facilitate building of community support groups and capacities on the identified issues mostly affecting the community;

v  facilitate and support problem solving partnerships, information networks and coalition with existing community groups;

v  support and facilitate positive changes in identified areas in partnerships with community groups and individuals.

v  help develop better service models for the SA community and

v  seek to achieve a more socially and economically inclusive SA community by working together and developing new models of support structures and capacities within the community as required.

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Process.

·         Identify the South Asian communities' strengths and weaknesses and determine ways and means to improve the quality of life in the community;

·         Social research - undertake independent research on social needs, issues, trends relating to different constituencies in the communities;

·         Definition of service needs and evaluation of programs and service deliveries;

·         Seek access to professional and voluntary expertise to undertake policy analysis and provide research based proposals to policy makers at various levels;

·         Facilitate building of community consensus on common issues by providing a non-threatening environment for discussions and resolution of difficult community issues;

·         Facilitate building of community groups most affected by identified issues into working and problem solving partnerships, information networks and coalition;

·         Support and facilitate positive changes with community groups and individuals.       

# Consequently SEVA believes that the present community of South Asians ( as the first generation of migrants in Australia )  has to be actively involved in the making and remaking of their own communities within the wider Australian society.  It has to create for itself an Identity all its own in keeping with the changing social, cultural and political environment , develop its own institutions and organizations, support structures and capacities to emerge out of its own unique cultural traditions, ethos and background,  in order to blend in with the social and economic fabric and environment in Australia.    

Networks established.

-          Migrant Resource Centres at Parramatta, Blacktown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Rockdale, Rockdale, Campsie;

-          North Shore Community Forum - NSCF;

-          Multicultural Community Services Networks;

-          UTS Shop Front, TAFE, Macquarie University,

-          CSI NSW, Social Traders, Social Enterprises Hub of Parramatta;

-          Local councils in main suburbs of Sydney.