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Inclusion and equity are the foundations of advocacy for multicultural communities. Therefore, there is an unspoken understanding and shared desire for more equity, more fairness, and more inclusion between multicultural communities and Indigenous communities.

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Abrar Dham left Kuwait for Australia 13 years ago.

Settling into eastern Melbourne, she said the Muslim community was not as visible at that time, which made it difficult to find her place in a new country.

"It was a struggle," Dham said.

Now living in Ballarat and working for the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC), the Iraqi mother-of-two assists newly arrived migrants to settle into their new homeland.

Dham said she understands how important it is for her own voice to be heard, and that's enough reason to vote yes in the voice referendum.

Abrar Dham: 'The fact that they haven't been heard at all is not right.' Photograph: Steve Womersley/The Guardian

"It's a much bigger deal for the Aboriginal people. They are the First Nations people of Australia and the fact that they haven't been heard at all is not right," she said.

"We are a multicultural and diverse nation and as multicultural communities, inclusivity is what we're always advocating for. We want our values and traditions to be respected."

Nyibol Deng fled wartorn Sudan 20 years ago.

The Ethiopian Sudanese mother-of-five said First Nations people should have been recognised in the constitution a long time ago.

"This should not be questioned," she said.

"I think it's very important. These people are the owners of the land and they should have their voices heard."

Nyibol Deng, settlement program worker, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council. Photograph: Steve Womersley/The Guardian

Like Deng, Nsonma Adeleye is aware of the displacement that occurs as a result of civil war and tensions between various cultural groups. Hailing from Nigeria, she said she witnessed the impact the war had on her loved ones, and how the government marginalised her tribe.

"You can feel what the Aboriginal people are feeling. I know they have really suffered," she said.

"This is my opportunity to support the Indigenous voice. If I could vote twice, I would."

On Wednesday, BRMC hosted a forum on the referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament to discuss the role multicultural communities could play in the vote.

The panel included Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation project officer Shannen Mennen, Federation University's associate deputy vice-chancellor of reconciliation and Indigenous studies Andrew Gunstone, and multicultural representatives Chez Dichiera and Lateef Adeleye.

They spoke to an audience of four dozen people from a range of backgrounds, some with their minds decided, others seeking answers.

Neil D'couto left India in 2004. He said he was "curious" to learn how the voice would "affect a multicultural person like myself".

Mennen said there were a lot of parallels that can be drawn between First Nations and multicultural communities, with many migrants also facing discrimination and barriers to resources such as healthcare and education.

"I feel like they just get it," she said.

"There's a lot of connection there and a lot of things we're arguing for applies to everyone. It's not just a First Nations thing. It shouldn't be a First Nations thing."

Shannen Mennen, project officer, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation: 'It's not just a First Nations thing.' Photograph: Steve Womersley/The Guardian

Mennen said a yes vote would result in a much more connected Australia, where First Nations communities would be given more opportunities to create a "better Australia" for future generations. That would help Australians of all backgrounds, she said.

"Having community support from all sectors is so important," she said. "It brings us all together. The Uluru Statement from the Heart was a gift asking us all to take a step forward so we can reconcile and look at our varied history, not our settler history."

Gunstone said multicultural communities are natural allies of First Nations people.

"They know about racism, they know about discrimination. They know that far more than white Australians do," he said.

When the panel was asked how to explain the voice's impact on multicultural communities, Dichiera said that when Australians could work together "as Europeans, as Africans, as Asians, as Aboriginal people, unite the nation, you're going to get a better outcome".

Deng said she was grateful to traditional owners for their care of a land she safely calls home.

"If I can be happy in this country and raise my kids here, then the First Nations people deserve to have happiness, to be heard and to be recognised," she said.

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'If I could vote twice, I would': the multicultural communities saying yes to the voice

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At a Ballarat forum to discuss the referendum, the sentiment is clear: 'we can feel what the Aboriginal people are feeling'

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Melbourne for Yes volunteers at Clyde North

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Door knocking helped me learn that convos can be simple asks such as "have you heard of the referendum?", "have you made up your mind?", "would you like me to explain?". Approaching a stranger with a smile and kindness regardless of their response is a great way to communicate your willingness to have a safe and respectful convo!

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Over dinner this week, I asked my partner how he'll be voting. We don't usually talk this directly about politics, like most Australians, but I thought this was an important conversation to have. I was thrilled that our courage in sharing our opinions allowed us to connect deeper with both our common and different values. I can't wait to have more conversations like this!

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At dinner last night, my in-laws, who migrated to Australia in the 80s, asked me how I'll vote in the referendum. We had a robust conversation, debating the content shared in the YES and NO pamphlet we all got from the AEC in our mailboxes. Although I don't think we agreed in the end, at least we had a clearer understanding of each other's perspective and opinion. I was grateful to be able to defend my own opinion, thanks to the "no judgement politics" knowledge session I attended last week with the Global Shapers!

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"no judgement politics" knowledge session

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"no judgement politics" knowledge session

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We gathered 15 Global Shapers across 5 cities for a "no judgement politics" knowledge session to answer some of the basic questions around the upcoming referendum. We focused on helping Shapers clarify their understanding of the referendum outcomes and share tools/tricks to have difficult conversations with friends and family.

Over 90% of attendees were not confident in understanding and talking about the proposed voice to parliament and upcoming referendum BEFORE the session. 21% said they had absolutely no idea about the topic. None were “very confident”

AFTER the session, 69% of attendees were confident in the topic, with 0% reporting they had “no idea” and a quarter reporting they felt “very confident”!

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Convo

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Convo with no spoken words. But so much to say!

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Convo with no spoken words. But so much to say!

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Convo about campaign trail logistics (lol)

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Convo about campaign trail logistics (lol)

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Convo about campaigning in South Australia

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Convo about campaigning in South Australia

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Everybody should have a voice. It should just "be". It shouldn't "be an issue".

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Convo about all the women activists on whose shoulders we stand...

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Convo about all the women activists on whose shoulders we stand...

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Sometimes, you have the opportunity to really connect about something that is truly important - and this is that moment in history! One step at a time...

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Connor cycled with the Melbourne4Yes crew, keeping Michael Long and his walking team safe while sharing more about YES