A ‘good news’ story of social inclusion : refugee resettlement in Australia

The successful settlement of refugees in Australia is an under-acknowledged narrative of social inclusion. Dominant discourses highlight the trauma and problematic victim status of refugees and contribute to a limited understanding of the diverse characteristics that make up multicultural communities. This chapter draws on two Australian examples of successful settlement and highlights good practice with the use of two case studies: one working with youth and the second the development of the Victorian Refugee Health Network. They point to the foundation of collaborative interdisciplinary work and long-term commitment to inclusive practice with service user involvement. These examples tackle perceived social problems and provide new approaches with innovative solutions. This chapter illustrates some of the ways this has been approached and how transformative practice in refugee communities can promote long-lasting and sustainable change.