FECCA Conference 2026

Australians need to foster a sense of belonging at a local level to avoid eroding social cohesion, according to a leading multicultural voice.

Chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation Dr Bulent Hass Delal said a new approach to multiculturalism was needed to match changes in demographics and rising polarisation.

Speaking at the recent Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) conference, Dr Delal said that while recent data showed high levels of support for multiculturalism, levels of national belonging and pride had declined – partly because of economic concerns weighing on society.

He said there was work to do to change the way we think about these issues.

Dr Delal said Australia needed to focus on what he called a ‘civic identity’ – or a set of things that we believe in that unite us.

“Things like freedom, democracy, equal citizenship, mutual respect, personal responsibility and the rule of law,” he said.

Dr Delal said these things needed to be embedded locally in sports clubs, workplaces, schools and elsewhere.

Interestingly, he also said we need to build an identity strong enough to contain the nation’s growing diversity.

New ABS data shows that for the first time since federation Australia has a population that is a majority of migrants and their children.

Dr Delal said that multiculturalism and social cohesion are connected but they  ask different questions.

“Multiculturalism is about whether we provide equal access and opportunity. Social cohesion is about whether we trust each other,” he said.

The federal government recently commissioned a road map to navigate the future in the Multicultural Framework Review report which calls for public institutions to reflect the diversity of the people they serve.

It also calls for community organisation to be empowered to build bridges across communities and political leaders should model the actions and standards they ask of the public.

And the case for multiculturalism should be prosecuted across all of society, the report says.

Also speaking at the conference was former Socceroo captain and human rights activist Craig Foster.

He spoke about the current difficult political climate and the need for the multicultural sector to unite over the next couple of years to refute dis- and misinformation and to communicate a positive message on multiculturalism and migration broadly across the whole of society.

Mr Foster said there was not enough political bravery at the moment, and the sector needed to do better in coordinating messaging and in responding more quickly and agilely to respond to misinformation.

“We have a dire need to build a shared sense of belonging. And equality needs to be fiercely defended with a clear understanding that no community should be left behind,” he said.

The latest Scanlon Foundation survey found social cohesion in Australia remains high but is coming under stress.

The ‘Mapping Social Cohesion Report 2025’ found that the level of social cohesion remained the same as in 2023 and 2024, highlighting the resilience of Australians social connections.

The report found 84 per cent of Australians agreed that multiculturalism has been good for the country and, on average, 79 per cent of Australians are either happy or very happy.

It found people living in cohesive neighbourhoods were more likely to attain a great sense of belonging at 65 per cent.

“People who perceive strong cohesion in their neighbourhoods and actively participate are more likely to have a great sense of belonging in Australia, to believe that most people can be trusted, be happy and accepting of immigrants,” the report’s lead author Dr James O’Donell said.

But it also found levels of prejudice and discrimination towards some immigrants and faith groups remains persistent.

Two in five Australians born in Africa and Asia experienced discrimination in the past year, the report said.

It found 48 per cent of respondents thought immigrants take jobs away and concerns about the economy and housing are detracting from a sense of multicultural harmony.

Financial circumstances remain the most important factor associated with social cohesion, the report found.

It concluded that, in 2025, national and global events placed pressure on Australian society.