The Australia Council for the Arts has been recognised for its commitment and contribution to multiculturalism by the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia. The formal acknowledgement from FECCA came on the final day of the Transformations conference in Canberra - an international conference examining global and local trends in cultural diversity and sustainable development. FECCA Chairperson, Mr Abd Malak AM, congratulated the Australia Council for its efforts to support and promote arts relevant to a multicultural Australia, describing its contributions as ‘immeasurable’. 'Its [the Council’s] leadership in this area over many years has shown other agencies best practice in how to locate cultural diversity principals into a sector's core business,’ said Mr Malak. ‘It has demonstrated how to build a cultural and social environment in Australia where diversity is respected and enjoyed.’ In 2005, FECCA celebrates 25 years of work supporting and advocating on behalf of Australia's diverse cultural and linguistic communities and is presenting awards to mark the occasion. Australia Council CEO, Ms Jennifer Bott, delivered a keynote speech entitled 'Arts and Culture for a Multicultural Australia' prior to the awards presentation, which also singled out the National Archives of Australia and individuals, Professor Amareswar Galla and Irene Forostenko, for outstanding work in the multicultural sector. FECCA was in turn applauded by the Australia Council, who congratulated the organisation on 25 years and their ‘enormous contribution to changing the quality, extent and acceptance of multiculturalism in a wide range of government programs, policies and in community attitudes.’ For further information, CLICK HERE.