Our activities and vision:
Current activities:
1. Weekly Urdu radio Program "AWAZ-E-DOST".
2. Organizing an essay
competition for Pakistani-Australian
youth on the topic: ..........: "Why
Pakistani-Australians must keep Urdu alive".
Short-term goal activities:
1. Initiating a
PCA media watch group.
2. Organizing URDU
writing and reading courses.
3. Creating the "Pakistan
reading room" in Canberra.
1. Volunteer with
us in Initiating a PCA media watch
group
Pakistan has two media-related
problems in the Australia: biased reports and minimal coverage.
Stories are typically limited to the negative: a military takeover,
sectarian killings or honor killings to mention a few.
Some may consider such coverage propaganda or just journalistic
bias. Whatever it is, it's time for Pakistani-Australians to take
a firm stand against the way Pakistan is covered (or not covered)
by journalists.
Other minorities in the western world who have faced discrimination
have successfully fought for fair media coverage of issues that
concern them. Canadian Islamic and Pakistani associations are
good examples for us. PCA Media watch group will
" Keep a close eye on Australian
Media
" Build good relationship with Media.
" Put together a Pakistan media file.
" Write to the editor and program producers etc.
" Identify the movers and shakers of the Australian Media.
" Issue press releases.
" Share the knowledge
You can play a role in improving
your local media's coverage of Pakistan by volunteering in our
media watch group in your area. We will need as much volunteers
as we can, with good writing and research skills. Once established
we will extend our call to other Australian cities too.
2. Volunteer with us in
Creating the "Pakistan reading
room" in Canberra
To increase the good will of Pakistan,
promote URDU language and our rich heritage and culture, this
room will be stocked with publications, books, video documentaries
and other materials, which individuals will be able to use to
learn more about Pakistan, do research for a project or just keep
up with current events in the country. PCA calls for Volunteers,
Books donations, funds and time donations for this project.
3. Volunteer with us in
Organizing URDU writing
and reading courses
For many Pakistani-Australians,
especially those born or brought up here in Australia, Urdu is
a language that is heard and spoken but not written and read.
This is a tragedy. Familiarity with Urdu connects us to our roots
and is a way of maintaining contact with our rich Urdu literature
and the precious work of philosophers like Allama Iqbal.
Although currently we have some resources of a qualified and experienced
member who is happy to volunteer for this cause but we would definitely
need more volunteers for this cause.
Long-term goal activities:
1. Establish a Pakistani-Australian
speakers' bureau in our community.
2. Auction off Pakistani-Australian art and send the proceeds
to a good cause in Pakistan.
3. Promote the positive about Pakistan on Web message board.
4. Interview the "average" Pakistani person.
5. Organize an Iqbal Night.
6. Start up a women's group to discuss the
needs of women in Pakistan.
7. Start a Pakistani-Australian television
program through Public Access Television in Canberra.
8. Establish a Pakistani-Australian youth
award in our community.
9. Be Pakistani, Buy Pakistani.
10. Patronize a sports team. (Cricket team of PCCC).
11. Organize an open house about Pakistan.
12. Make Urdu literature (library) available to Pakistani-Australian
children.( Create the "Pakistan reading room") in Canberra.
13. Teach Pakistani-Australians how to deal with discrimination.
14. Talk to your children about tolerance and spread this message
to Pakistan.
15. Start a Pakistani community Magazine.
VOLUNTEER
with us
Make
a difference Join hands with us to serve the community
We invite individuals from all
walks of life to volunteer for all of the above listed PCA initiatives
and other PCA community objectives. No matter how little or how
big your contribution would be,we will make sure that your contribution
counts. We encourage all individuals male or female, old or young
to volunteer so that we may have a vital and progressive blend
of new ideas and experience. Moreover, we urge you to think of
others who could contribute meaningfully to this community cause,
speak to them about serving, and have them submit their names
for consideration.
Even if you can donate one hour a Month or even one hour a Year
we will be interested in hearing from you.
PCA is looking for volunteers
for these community services; please see the attached form
in the
PCA Volunteer appeal brochure. Or contact us on
Pakistan Cultural Association,
P.O. Box
7252 Canberra B.C., ACT 2610, Australia.
Email:
pakistan.cultural@gmail.com
