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SON OF REFUGEES WINS PREMIER'S LITERARY AWARD
19.05.2013
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A book which defends Australian multiculturalism in the most compelling style has won the Community Relations Commission prize at the Premier's Literary Awards in Sydney tonight. Don't Go Back To Where You Came From: Why Multiculturalism Works has won the prestigious $20,000 prize for Tim Soutphommasane, a philosopher at Sydney University. |
REPORT CARD ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES TO MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY
15.05.2013
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The annual report card on the delivery of government services to multicultural communities in NSW was launched today by the Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello. The Community Relations Report 2012 – Much to Celebrate, More to Do, prepared by the NSW Community Relations Commission (CRC), found that, overall, NSW agencies showed a strong commitment to meeting the principles of cultural diversity. |
Emerging Somali Community Given A Digital Voice
14.05.2013
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An innovative online initiative to promote one of Sydney's emerging multicultural communities was launched tonight by the Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Victor Dominello. The Somali Podcast Project, conceived and developed by the NSW Community Relations Commission, gives the local Somali community a voice to air its concerns and tackle issues as well as promote community cohesion and wellbeing. |
Important Diplomatic Visitors
7.05.2013
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The Ambassador of Peru in Australia, Luis Quesada, and the Consul General of Peru in Sydney, Elizabeth Castro Benavides, paid an official visit to the Community Relations Commission's Sydney office. |
Regional Visit to Broken Hill
12.04.2013
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The Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW gained a better understanding of Broken Hill's rich history and issues surrounding cultural diversity during a visit in April. |
CRC Forum asks the question - Are asylum seekers welcome in the community?
1.05.2013
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It's the provocative question that won't go away - are asylum seekers welcome in the community? Three high-profile commentators – television and radio presenter Ross Greenwood, human rights lawyer George Newhouse and refugee advocate Ian Rintoul - addressed the question at a public forum held on Wednesday 1 May at the NSW State Library. The debate, 'Asylum Seekers in the Community…Welcome or Not?', was organised by the NSW Community Relations Commission and moderated by the Commission's Chair, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian. |
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ETHNIC COMMUNITY LEADERS RECOGNISED BY PREMIER
30.04.2013
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Nine outstanding leaders of ethnic communities in NSW have been recognised in the inaugural Premier's Multicultural Awards.
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Premier hosts grand Harmony Dinner in Sydney
10.04.2013
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More than 700 people - community members, members of parliament, ethnic media and consular corps – came together in Sydney for the second Premier's Annual Harmony Dinner organised by the Community Relations Commission of NSW. Welcoming the record gathering, the Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, said the turn-out reflected the fact that multiculturalism was a mighty force that made our society strong and unique. |
Children urged to have the courage to care
14.03.2013
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An important exhibition that aims to inform and educate Australians about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination by exposing them to survivors of the Holocaust was launched tonight by the Chair of the NSW Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian AO. |
Mulitcultural Media Honoured by Premier
28.02.2013
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A Turkish-language newspaper published in Sydney was named Best Print Publication of the Year at the inaugural Premier's Multicultural Media Awards in Sydney tonight. |
A Commission Forum - Is Sydney more Racist than Melbourne?
12.12.2012
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Is Sydney more Racist than Melbourne? That was what the Chair of the Commission Stepan Kerkyasharian described as the provocative title of a forum organised by the Commission at the State Library of New South Wales. In apologising to the community, public service and academic participants, for the choice of title for the forum, he suggested that sometimes it was good to be a little provocative in these matters to stimulate debate. |
Classic Refugee Story wins CRC Literary Prize
30.11.2012
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The winner of the 2012 Community Relations Commission Prize at the Premier's Literary Awards announced tonight has won unanimous praise from the judging panel for his treatment of "the consequences for families forced to flee to new societies under extremely traumatic international conditions." The winning entry is Good Living Street – The Fortunes of My Viennese Family by Tim Bonyhady. |
German Ambassador visits Commission
13.11.2012
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The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Australia, His Excellency Dr Christoph Mϋller today visited the Sydney office of the community Relations Commission.
Ambassador Mϋller had wide-ranging talks about community issues with CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian. |
Russian Ambassador to Australia discusses multiculturalism
16.10.2012
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The Russian Ambassador to Australia, Vladimir Morozov, has held discussions with the Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, about multiculturalism in Australia and its similarities to an emerging sense of cultural diversity in Russia. Mr Morozov is the first Russian Ambassador to Australia to visit the Commission. He was accompanied by Alexander Odoevskiy, Third Secretary, Economic, U.N and Disarmament, Russian Embassy Canberra. |
Swiss Diplomats meet Commission Chair
02.10.2012
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The Swiss Ambassador to Australia, Marcel Stutz, and the Swiss Consul General in Sydney, Markus Meli, made an official call on the Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, to discuss community relations issues. |
Fairfield Consultation - Locals Speak Up On Safety
20.09.2012
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Street-lighting, drive-by shootings, cyber bullying and illegal driving by young people were all discussed at an open forum, organised by the Community Relations Commission of NSW in partnership with the police and local government. Over 350 local residents and police officers joined the Chair of the Commission, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian, the Mayor of Fairfield, Councillor Frank Carbone, and the Local Area Commanders of Fairfield, Supt. Peter Lennon, and Cabramatta, Supt. Wayne Murray, at the Fairfield RSL Club. |
Former Minister receives CRC Medal in Gold
03.09.2012
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The Minister for Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs from May 1993 – April 1995, Michael Photios, has been awarded the CRC Medal in Gold for his contribution to community harmony. The presentation was made at the Commission's annual symposium, following his key note address to delegates. The citation which accompanies the medal was read out by the Chair of the Commission Stepan Kerkyasharian. |
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nick Kaldas, meets future leaders group
9.08.2012
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The Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, Nick Kaldas last night dined with the Commission's Community Engagement Support Group to discuss the Impact of International Events on community harmony in Australia. |
Commission's Regional Visit to Newcastle
8.06.2012
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The Community Relations Commission (CRC) undertakes annual visits to regional areas in NSW. These visits provide opportunities for CRC Commissioners and Executive Staff to meet representatives of local communities and service providers to hear about grass roots issues and initiatives.
The CRC's 2012 regional visit took place on 8 June in Newcastle. On the occasion, a broad range of guests were invited to meet the Commissioners at a morning tea at the office of the Ethnic Communities Council Newcastle and Hunter Region (ECCNHR) in Waratah. |
Canadian High Commissioner keenly interested in Australian multiculturalism
13.06.2012
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The High Commissioner of Canada in Australia His Excellency, Mr. Michael Small has visited the Community Relations Commission for discussions about multiculturalism in Australia. |
National Multicultural Marketing Awards Launched For 2012
13.06.2012
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Cultural diversity means business – that's the message from Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello, who today launched the National Multicultural Marketing Awards for 2012 organised by the Community Relations Commission. |
Pakistan's top diplomat in Australia visits Community Relations Commission
28.05.2012
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Pakistan's High Commissioner to Australia, Abdul Malik Abdullah, has paid a formal visit to the Community Relations Commission of NSW, accompanied by the Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney, Azam Mohammed. |
Korean Ambassador visits the Commission
23.05.2012
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The Ambassador to Australia of the Republic of Korea, Mr Cho Taeyong, today paid an official visit to the Community Relations Commission. His Excellency met with Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian and CRC Staff to discuss Korean community issues. |
Minister launches important annual review
16.05.2012
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The Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Victor Dominello, today launched the Community Relations Commission's annual review of community relations in New South Wales.
The 2011 Community Relations Report which reviews the work of New South Wales government agencies in meeting their obligations to a multicultural society, is entitled The Diversity Dividend. |
Interfaith meeting with Chief Diplomatic Advisor to President of European Parliament - Mr Alexandre Stutzmann
08.05.2012
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The Chair of the NSW Community Relations Commission (CRC) Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian hosted an important round table meeting between key Australian Religious leaders and Mr Alexandre Stutzmann, on Monday May 7 2012 at the office of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Czech Ambassador visits Commission
29.02.2012
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The Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Canberra,His Excellency Dr Hynek Kmonicek, today visited the Head Office of the Community Relations Commission for discussions with the Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian. The discussions centred around the efficacy of public policies relating to multiculturalism. |
Important African visitor
16.02.2012
The High Commissioner of South Africa to Canberra, Her Excellency Ms Koleka A Mqulwana visited the Community Relations Commission's Head Office in Sydney to discuss community relations issues with Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
The High Commissioner was accompanied by her Political Counsellor, Mr Mauritz Lindeque.
Important member of Romanian Parliament visits CRC
9.01.2012
The Hon. Mircea Lubanovici, a Member of the Parliament of Romania visited the Head Office of the Commission, accompanied by the Consul General of Romania in Sydney, Prof. Dr. Paul Floricel Mocanu.
CRC Holds Its Yearly Regional Meeting in Tamworth
8.12.2011 & 9.12.2011
Each year the Commission holds one regional meeting in a regional centre. The purpose of the yearly regional meeting is to provide the Commissioners and senior staff of the Commission with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with regional issues and priorities, and to meet and interact with key community people and senior government representatives in the area.
African youth launch their own arts development project
15.09.2011
A new arts initiative to promote and showcase the talent of Australians of African background has been launched by the Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
New leadership of the ECC holds talks with Commission Chair.
13.09.2011
The new Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW, Emanuel Valageorgiou and the Deputy Chair, Dai Le met today with the Commission Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian, and staff to pave the way for future cooperation.
Norwegian Ambassador holds talks with CRC Chair.
07.09.2011
The Ambassador of Norway in Australia, Her Excellency Siren Gjerme Eriksen, has held talks with the Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, in Sydney.
Commission holds consultations in North and South Suburbs of Sydney.
The Commission has held community consultations in Crows Nest and Gymea as part of its on-going programme of visits to different regions of Sydney.
Premier Hosts Inter Faith Dinner For Ramadan
08.08.2011
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has joined religious and community leaders from across the State to mark the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
Serbain Delegation visits CRC
05.08.2011
Officials from the Serbian Ministry of Religion and Diaspora paid a visit to the CRC Head Office in Sydeny for talks about the development of the Serbian community in New South Wales.
Multicultural pioneer dies
20.07.2011
"I was deeply saddened to hear today of the death of Jim Samios, one of our true pioneers of multiculturalism," Chair of the Community Relations Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian said today.
Egyptian Students given valuable tips for life in NSW
14.07.2011
More than sixty international students from Egypt today attended an information session on life in New South Wales.
33 Postcards wins CRC Award at Sydney film Festival
19.06.2011
Sydney film-maker Pauline Chan has won the annual Community Relations Commission Award at the Sydney Film Festival for her feature film 33 Postcards.
Miniter launches National Multicultural Marketing Awards
8.06.2011
Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello MP today launched the 2011 National Multicultural Marketing Awards, an initiative of the NSW Community Relations Commission (CRC).
Zimbabwe's Ambassador visits Commission
1.06.2011
The Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Australia Ms Jacqueline Zwambila has paid an official visit to the Community Relations Commission.
Doctor's literary skill translates to Premier's Award
16.05.2011
A Hobart doctor with a passion for language and translation has won this year's Community Relations Commission's Translation Prize at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards announced in Sydney tonight.
Chinese truck driver's story wins CRC Literary Prize
16.05.2011
The Community Relations Commission Prize at the Premier's Literary Awards tonight has been won by a prolific Australian writer of Chinese background, for his novel The English Class.
International Students learn survival lessons
14.05.2011
International students and student counsellors from Universities, TAFE and other private colleges attended an information seminar on Saturday 14 May at Parramatta Town Hall hosted by the CRC.
Community Consultation at Randwick
10.03.2011
The Commission has resumed its programme of community consultation with a meeting of local community leaders in Randwick on Thursday 10th March.
U.A.E Ambassador to Australia visits Commission
10.03.2011
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Ali Nasser Ali Al Nuaimi paid an official visit to the Community Relations Commission and held talks with the Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian on Thursday March 10, 2011.
Eminent Academic gives key lecture on International Students
9.03.2011
Dr Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education in the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne delivered a powerful lecture on the issues confronting Australia in the field of overseas education.
Multicultural Youth Network holds successful Youth Networking Evening at Parramatta
8.03.2011
The Community Relations Commission's Multicultural Youth Network has staged a successful networking evening at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta on Tuesday 8 March 2011.
Commission participates in first International Students Festival
6.03.2011
The Community Relations Commission participated in the first International Students Festival at Darling Harbour on Sunday 6th March.
CRC Chair meets with High Commissioner of Kenya
24.02.2011
The CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian has met with the High commissioner of the Republic of Kenya in Australia at Parliament House.
Parramatta Opening
21.02.2011
The Community Relations Commission, Language Services Division, is proud to announce the opening of its Parramatta Office within the Parramatta Justice Precinct.
International interest in the work of the CRC continues
8.02.2011
Two groups of students from Korea have visited Commission recently to learn about Australian multiculturalism.
New Turkish Consul General in Sydney visits Commission
20.12.2010
The newly arrived Consul General of Turkey in Sydney, Miss Gulseren Celik, has visited the Commission for talks with Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Four New Commissioners For Community Relations Commission To Reflect Changing NSW Society
14.12.2010
Premier Kristina Keneally today announced the NSW Government will appoint four new Commissioners to the Community Relations Commission – to reflect the changing composition of the culturally diverse community of NSW.
The Community Relations Commission Visit to Orange
11.11.2010
The Commission visited Orange on 11 and 12 November 2010 and met with representatives of government departments, community and other organisations as well as various key people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Diplomatic Visitors from Uruguay
31.08.2010
The Ambassador of Uruguay in Australia, Alberto Fajardo, and the Consul General of Uruguay in Sydney, Alvaro Barba, visited the Commission to hold talks with the Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian.
Future Chinese Leaders hold talks with the Commission
25.06.2010
A delegation of young political leaders from the Communist Party of China visited the Community Relations Commission for wide-ranging talks about multiculturalism on the 25th of June 2010.
Visitors from the Royal College of Defence Studies hold talks with Commission.
17.06.2010
Fourteen future military and civilian leaders from various nations met with the Commission for detailed talks about community relations in New South Wales.
Dutch Diplomats hold talks with Commission
9.06.2010
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Willem Andreae, and the Consul General Jaap Frederiks visited the Commission's Head Office on the 9th of June 2010.
Turkish Ambassador visits Commission
1.06.2010
His Excellency Mr Oguz Ozge, The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Australia and Mr Hikmet Renan Serkeroglu Consul General have paid an official visit to the Commission's head office in Sydney on the 1st of June 2010.
Marketing Cultural Diversity Is Good For Business
25.05.2010
NSW Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, today officially opened nominations for the National Multicultural Marketing Awards 2010.
Premier Keneally consults the Chinese Community
26.03.2010
The Premier, Kristina Keneally, has had her first consultation with the Chinese community of New South Wales.
Nearly fifty representatives of a broad range of Chinese community organisations met Ms Keneally at the Premier's Office in Sydney on March 26th.
Important Commissioners from Kenya hold talks with CRC Chair and staff
25.03.2010
The Chairman and two Commissioners from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission of Kenya held lengthy talks with CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian, CRC Director of Community Relations, Richard Acheson and CRC Media Officer, Warren Duncan, about ways of fostering community harmony and acceptance of difference in multicultural societies.
CRC Commissioners attend Premier's reception for Interfaith Women at Parliament House
10.03.2010
Four CRC Commissioners joined around 80 women at a reception in Parliament House for interfaith women, hosted by the Premier, Kristina Keneally. The women who are all engaged in inter-faith activities were drawn from many different religious backgrounds.
Delegation from Dardanelle University, Turkey, visit the Commission
04.03.2010
A delegation from the Dardanell University in Turkey paid a visit to the Community Relations Commission's Head Office in Sydney to discuss aspects multicultural polices in New South Wales.
Premier's Chinese Community Service Awards for 2010 Presented at Government House
16.02.2010
NSW Chinese community leaders have been recognised for their volunteer work,community service and achievement at the 2010 Premier's Chinese Community Service Awards.
Premier Kristina Keneally and Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, today announced the award winners at an official ceremony at NSW Government House.
Ethnic media meet with Premier and Minister for citizenship
21.12.2009
The new Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, has invited representatives from the ethnic media - print, radio and television in New South Wales for a reception at the Premiers Department in Sydney. The new Premier Kristina Keneally addressed the gathering and met many of the media people present.
Commissioners Meet Premier and New Minister
21.12.2009
The Commissioners of the CRC recently met with the Premier, Kristina Keneally, and the new Minister for Citizenship and Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
Commission meets communities in Blacktown
09.12.2009
The Community Relations Commission has held a community consultation in Blacktown to hear directly from locals about issues of concern and about ideas to enhance community relations in the area.
The Community Relations Commission visit to Wagga Wagga
12.11.2009
This year the Commission visited Wagga Wagga on 12 and 13 November, 2009. This visit is part of the Commission's on-going program of consultations and engagement with regional communities to familiarise itself with major issues of concern and to enable it to address the issues identified.
Welcoming address from Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chairman of the Commission, at the 20th Annual National Multicultural Marketing Awards
02.11.2009
In welcoming the 440 guests to the 20th annual National Multicultural Marketing Awards, the Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, recounted the history of the Awards and reflected on their ground-breaking nature 1990.
Minister Judge speaks at the Community Relations Commission Symposium
23.09.2009
Minister for Citizenship, Virginia Judge has officially opened the 2009 Community Relations Commission Symposium in Parramatta.
Iftar Dinner to Celebrate Interfaith Harmony
31.08.2009
To celebrate Interfaith Harmony, an Iftar Dinner hosted by the the Honourable Nathan Rees MP Premier of NSW, took place at Parliament House on 31 August 2009.
2009 Multicultural Marketing Conference
26.08.2009The 2009 Multicultural Marketing Conference was held on 26 August 2009. Presentations from the conference can now be accessed.
Challenging Islamophobia
20.07.2009On Monday 20th July the Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian, gave the opening address on the second day of the National Social Cohesion Conference at Sydney University. The three-day conference dealt with the topic: Challenging Islamophobia; towards social justice and inclusion. The Chairmans address set the scene for a plenary session on Muslim Experiences, settling in Australia.
Italian ambassador to Australia visits the Commission
06.07.2009
The ambassador of the Italian Republic to Australia, Gianludovico De Martino Di Montegiordano, has paid an official visit to the Community Relations Commission in Sydney.
Ethnic Media gather at the Community Relations Commission
16.06.2009
Thirty editorial and publishing staff of Sydney ethnic newspapers met with the Community Relations Commission today to talk about the MediaLink service and the government's regulations on advertising.
New South African High Commissioner visits Commission
The newly arrived High Commissioner to Australia from South Africa, His Excellency Lenin M Shope, has paid an official visit to the Commission's Sydney Head Office to discuss multiculturalism in Australia and the policies being implemented in New South Wales to manage cultural diversity.
AFL goes multicultural
20.05.2009
After several years working successfully to capture new players and new fans from migrant communities, the AFL will now make a new commitment to multicultural Australia by becoming a major sponsor of the National Multicultural Marketing Awards.
The decision was announced today by Stepan Kerkyasharian, the Chair of the Community Relations Commission which has been organising the awards for the last twenty years.
Migration history work hailed at Premier's Literary Awards
19.05.2009
A scholarly account of Australia's history of immigration has won the Community RelationsCommission $15,000 Prize at the Premiers Literary Award in Sydney tonight.
The work - Destination Australia : migration to Australia since 1901- by Professor Eric Richards of Flinders University in South Australia, was described by the Awards judges as a thoroughly researched overview of Australias migration history.
2009 National Multicultural Marketing Awards to be Launched
Businesses and community groups across Australia have the chance for national recognition through the National Multicultural Marketing Awards, which will be launched next week in Sydney by the Minister for Citizenship, the Hon. Virginia Judge MP.
Minister presents Multicultural Marketing prize to Salvation Army
17.04.2009
The Minister for Citizenship, The Hon. Virginia Judge, has presented a Qantas Air ticket for travel to Hong Kong to the Salvation Army in Sydney, as a prize from the 2008 National Multicultural marketing Awards.