International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Volume 6, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 115-128

Building social and community cohesion: The role of social enterprises in facilitating settlement experiences for immigrants from non-English speaking backgrounds (Article)

Kong E.*
  • a University of Southern Queensland, QLD, Australia

Abstract

Australia is a nation of immigrants. Immigration brings much needed skills and labour to Australia. It helps creating a strong economy, drives prosperity and builds Australia's future. Diverse cultural expression enriches all Australians and makes the multicultural nation more vibrant and creative. Immigrants, including refugees, from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) are vulnerable as they often have higher unemployment rates or are at an earnings disadvantage that may lead to disaffection and community unrest in the long run. Government agencies are facing complicated issues surrounding the design and implementation of strategies that facilitate the settlement of new arrivals in Australia. This paper critically reviews the literature and argues that social enterprises and social entrepreneurship can help to facilitate life satisfaction and self-reliance for NESB immigrants in Australia. In addition, the paper provides a better understanding of what research method may best suit to examine the role of social enterprises in NESB immigrant settlement experiences and how social enterprises may help to integrate the immigrants into a culturally diverse socially cohesive nation. Discussion of benefits of the proposed research method will also be provided. © Common Ground, Eric Kong, All Rights Reserved.

Author Keywords

Immigrants from non-English speaking backgrounds Research method Social enterprise and social entrepreneurship Immigrant settlement services

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84855805991&doi=10.18848%2f1833-1882%2fCGP%2fv06i03%2f52041&partnerID=40&md5=9e49acb3cdb3a940cee131fc5eb0bb29

DOI: 10.18848/1833-1882/CGP/v06i03/52041
ISSN: 18331882
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English