E/CN.4/2002/24/Add.1 page 22 43. The Victorian Multicultural Commission was established in 1993 with the vision of a seamless, tolerant and culturally diverse community served in a similar manner by government and private and community organizations. It takes a leadership role in encouraging ethnic communities to contribute to Victoria’s development as a harmonious and culturally rich state, and assisting those communities to maintain their cultural identities. This is to be achieved by, inter alia, encouraging interactions between communities, using the media, disseminating information, consulting with the communities and encouraging government departments to meet performance and service standards when it comes to cultural diversity. It funds projects designed by ethnic associations aimed at promoting multiculturalism. 44. The Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission’s aim is to promote full participation by Victoria’s ethnic groups in the social, economic and cultural life of the wider Victorian community. One of its major achievement was an inquiry conducted in 1995 of all government departments and agencies regarding procedures for delivering services to Victoria’s ethnic communities. The inquiry sought to determine whether the existing administrative arrangements that provide for service delivery by state government departments and agencies to clients of non-English-speaking backgrounds were adequate and appropriate. The findings showed that people from a non-English-speaking background do experience some fundamental disadvantages owing to, inter alia, language barriers and underuse of interpreters; lack of understanding and acceptance in departments and agencies of the effect that differences in cultures and background have on the way clients experience services; and lack of data within agencies on actual and potential clients from ethnic communities. 45. The Commission made various recommendations which are being implemented to improve the quality of service provided to people from a non-English-speaking background. These recommendations cover the following areas: (a) Providing translations of information materials; (b) Using non-print media, such as ethnic radio and video, to inform ethnic communities about services; (c) Using interpreters; (d) Having bilingual workers; (e) Cross-cultural training; (f) Using ethnic organizations to deliver services; (g) Including people of non-English-speaking backgrounds in quality service surveys; and (h) Consultations with ethnic Communities. 3. Multiculturalism in Queensland 46. The Department of Multicultural Affairs of Queensland is a body of the Queensland government, responsible for developing policies that address the social and cultural needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Its supports various programmes and activities centred around the theme of multiculturalism. Among other initiatives, each year the Premier of Queensland presents the Queensland Multicultural Awards in recognition of the efforts Queenslanders have made to support harmony, reduce prejudice and combat discrimination in the state. 47. On 25 August each year, Queensland celebrates Australian South Sea Islanders Day as a way of remembering the tragedy suffered by those people during the colonial period and as an acknowledgment of their contribution to Queensland’s prosperity. It is estimated that