The Commission is committed to facilitiating a Whole-of-Government approach to multicultural affairs by ensuring that the needs of Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities are conveyed to the relevant bodies and that Government is kept abreast of community concerns.Throughout the year the Commission facilitates grassroots discussions,maintains an 'Open Door' policy, hosts regular consultative forums and advocates for the needs of Victoria’s communities through involvement in advisory boards and committees.

The Commission is represented on a range of advisory or consultative bodies including:

• The Police and Community Multicultural Advisory Committee (PACMAC), which the Commission co-chairs;
• Ministerial Advisory Council on LOTE, ESL and Multicultural Education (MACLEM);
• Standing Committee on Local Government and Cultural Diversity, which the Commission chairs;
• Centre for Dialogue Advisory Board;
• Multifaith Advisory Group, which the Commission chairs;
• Multicultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee;
• Parliament of World’s Religions Board; and
• VMC Advisory Council, which the Commission chairs.

The Commission also contributes to the following committees and networks:

Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (MCIMA) & Standing Committee on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (SCIMA)

The Commission continued its involvement in SCIMA and MCIMA. These national cross-jurisdictional forums provide an important opportunity to discuss and address issues relating to immigration and multicultural affairs and bring a local and state perspective to deliberations onissues of national importance.

Cultural Diversity Plans Network

In 2008-09, the Commission established the Cultural Diversity Plans Network, with representatives from all Victorian Government departments responsible for developing each department’s Cultural Diversity Plan. All Departments are required to develop Cultural Diversity Plans under A Fairer Victoria (2006) toaddress the provision for culturally sensitive service delivery to Victoria’s CALD communities.

Through the Network, which meets on a regular basis, the VMC facilitates and supports exchangeof ideas and learnings between departments to assist in the preparation and implementation of the plans. The Network also provides an opportunity for information-sharing across departments on broader government activities and key developments in multicultural affairs. The preparation of Cultural Diversity Plans for all Victorian Government departments is a new requirement under the Multicultural Victoria Act.

Standing Committee on Local Government and Cultural Diversity

The Standing Committee on Local Government and Cultural Diversity was reconstituted in 2009. It now has representatives from 21 Victorian
councils and seven organisations from the local government sector.The Standing Committee continues to provide an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and strategies in the local government sector to facilitate greater responsiveness to culturally, linguistically
and religiously diverse communities in Victoria.