Social Capital, Interculturalism and Resettlement amongst Young People of Refugee and Migrant backgrounds in Adelaide, South Australia

Abstract

This research explored perspectives of mentors from the Intercultural Futures program, a community initiative aimed to address a range of specific leadership skills, with the broader goals of improving social capital, interculturalism, resettlement and development of the young people who participate as emerging community leaders. Semi structured interviews were undertaken with mentors who were also primarily of refugee or migrant backgrounds. Interview data was analysed thematically to explore whether the program was considered successful in improving social capital, interculturalism and resettlement for the program participants and their communities. Consistent with the literature, the young people were characterised by mentors as highly competent in interaction across cultural divides, often acting as a bridge between their communities and wider society on account of their language and cultural fluency. The program was positioned as having aided the young people in forming networks between ethnic communities, increasing interpersonal skills, trust and confidence. Mentors highlighted the difficulty faced by ethnic communities in overcoming marginalisation within a social climate often characterised by discrimination and hostility, and the necessity of culturally fluent leadership for communities to assist in resettlement.