Australian Human Rights Commission Australia and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Shadow report to the CERD Committee – 8 July 2010 94. In 2006, a total of 248,699 people born in Africa were living in Australia. 87 This figure represents 5.6 percent of Australia’s overseas born population and around one percent of the country’s total population. 95. The majority of African Australians (72.6 percent) are from Southern and Eastern Africa, around 22.9 percent are from North Africa (including Sudan) and 4.5 percent are from Central and West Africa. 88 Around 100,000 people were born in South Africa and other large communities include Zimbabwe (8.1 percent), Sudan (7.7 percent), Mauritius (4 percent), Kenya (4 percent) and Ethiopia (2.3 percent). 89 96. The aims of the project were to: • identify what can help – and obstruct – the settlement and integration experiences of African Australians • suggest practical solutions to inform the development of policies, programs and services for African Australians • address some of the stereotypes about African Australians that have been raised in recent public debate and media reporting. 97. The In Our Own Voices Report is the result of a three year research project that engaged directly with African Australian communities, partner agencies and other stakeholders. 98. In the report, African Australian communities identified the following priority areas of action: • • • 99. racism and discrimination child protection and family violence increasing legal literacy in and around family law. The Report also presents important findings in relation to employment and training, education, health, housing and engaging with the justice system and provides a number of best practice examples from around Australia. Recommendation 33: That the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and other government agencies consider the findings of the In Our Own Voices Report in (I) policy development processes (II) service delivery improvements and (III) settlement services improvements. 7.5 Planning for population growth 100. The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Australian Government’s recent appointment of a Minister for Sustainable Population. 101. In 2010, a number of Australia’s human service agencies have been involved in discussions about immigration levels, population targets and ecological sustainability. 29