ABC Melbourne crosses the language barrier to connect communities through COVID

ABC Melbourne and the Victorian Council of Social Service are teaming up to help deliver important COVID-related information direct into communities across Melbourne.

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ABC Radio Melbourne Drive presenter Rafael Epstein will host the first of the three-part series of exclusive Facebook Live events ‘Victorian Voices’.

The sessions will be captioned in English,  Arabic (العربية),  Hindi (हिन्दी) and Simplified Chinese (简体中文), with guests drawn from across communities and organisations on the pandemic frontline.

Epstein said there will be a particular focus on working with CALD groups.

“It’s important that every Victorian can hear from experts, ask questions and air their concerns in a meaningful way,” he said.

VCOSS CEO Emma King said these events will provide an important new platform for critical exchanges of information.

“Every community is unique, with different ways of connecting and communicating. It’s great the ABC will be listening to the experts and leaders in these communities, and amplifying their voices and experiences.”

The sessions will explore a range of themes including general health advice, testing guidance, workplace issues, housing, wellbeing and mental health.

The first session ‘Victorian Voices:  Working during Covid-19’ will be streamed on ABC Melbourne’s Facebook page this Thursday (September 3rd).

Guests include:

• Dr Nadia Chaves, Infectious Diseases and General Medicine specialist
• Sainab Sheikh, Social Worker and founder Somali Women’s Development Association Inc.
• Catherine Hemingway, Legal Director at WEstJustice

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Register now at https://www.facebook.com/events/230660758308448/

Click here for resources to help promote this event, including a short video clip of Raf Epstein (captioned in العربية, हिन्दी and 简体中文).

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Media contacts:

Mary-Jane Fenech (ABC Melbourne), 0438 344 533, Fenech.Mary-Jane@abc.net.au

Ryan Sheales (VCOSS), 0418 127 153, media@vcoss.org.au

 

A note on captions: These events will be captioned in English, Arabic, Hindi and Simplified Chinese. Facebook automatically detects which language you use and presents you with those captions. For example, if you normally use Facebook in Arabic you will automatically be presented with Arabic captions for this Facebook Live event.