What is the PACE Leadership program?
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health runs a leadership program for migrant and refugee women, non-binary and gender diverse people called PACE: Participate, Advocate, Communicate and Engage.
The program aims to build migrant and refugee women’s capacity to:
- Participate in the workforce, civic and community life
- Advocate on issues that concern you to make a positive change
- Communicate leadership qualities and skills, and
- Engage with issues and others in the community for the purposes of providing ongoing support to other migrant and refugee women
Since PACE began in 2009 we have reached over 350 migrant and refugee people in Victoria to strengthen the way migrant women and gender diverse leaders take the lead within their workplaces, communities and everyday lives.
2024 PACE Program
In 2024, MCWH is hosting a range of PACE events designed for migrant and refugee women, trans, non-binary and gender diverse people who have lived in Australia for less than five years, and are looking for work or are re-entering workforce.
We welcome all migrant women from diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, careers, abilities, and English levels. If you have lived in Australia for over five years and are employed, but still find this program beneficial, you are encouraged to register.
The PACE program provides participants with a range of professional development opportunities and resources including:
- The PACE 5-Day Leadership Course
- FAST PACE Leadership Workshops
- PACE Monthly Newsletter
- PACE Hub Networking Events
5-Day PACE Leadership Course
The PACE 5-day workshop focuses on building skills in confidence, community participation, communication, advocacy and leadership. The program runs over 5 weeks, each Thursday from 10-12pm via Zoom, starting Thursday 8 August and provides opportunities to learn, practice and develop skills in:
- Communication
- Public speaking
- S.M.A.R.T goal setting
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Workplace rights and culture
- Migrant women's issues
- and much more.
FAST PACE Leadership Workshops 2024
Contact us
If you'd like to learn more about the PACE program, would like to be involved, or have any questions, please email our Capacity Building Officer FeiFei at Feifei@mcwh.com.au.
This project is funded by the Victorian Government.
Set the PACE best practice guide
Set the PACE is a best practice guide for those looking to design leadership programs for migrant women, non-binary and gender diverse people.
Set the PACE supports migrant and refugee women, non-binary and gender diverse leaders to design and implement community-based projects that empower and strengthen our communities. This guide offers five ways community leaders/project designers/workers can improve migrant and refugee women, non-binary and gender diverse people’s leadership by centering their experiences, challenging traditional leadership models, increasing accessibility, collaborating with others, and using an intersectional approach.
Download the Set the PACE best practice guide in PDF format
Download the Set the PACE best practice guide - screen reader friendly version
Set the PACE is informed by the Best Practice Guide for leadership programs for immigrant and refugee women developed in 2010 and by over 14 years of running the PACE Leadership program to Victorians.
What makes PACE training different?
PACE is based on best practice and evidence
The PACE Program is based on national and international best practice recommendations for women’s leadership programming.
PACE takes an intersectional approach
The program focuses on both individual and structural issues related to gender equality. It aims to build migrant and refugee women’s personal and community-level skills.
PACE is flexible and designed to meet women on their own terms
The PACE program content can be adapted to meet the learning needs of participants.
PACE recognises many forms of leadership
This program acknowledges that leadership can take many different forms. It supports women to recognise and embrace leadership in ways that build on their existing strengths.