MyGreat Story - Australia

30 August 2022

MyGreat Story brings UN Human Rights’ global #StandUp4Migrants initiative to Australia. In partnership with Love Frankie, the campaign aims to build human rights-based narratives and promote a culture of welcoming migrants in Australia – by using food to create common ground and a safe space to reimagine dialogue on migration.

MyGreat Story features eight recognisable Australians across the fields of sport, fashion, food, art and culture, including artist Emmanuel Asante, hip hop artist and producer Sukhdeep Bhogal (LFresh), chef Alvin Quah, pro surfer Ace Buchan, fashion designer Gary Bigeni, and musicians Lara Andallo, A.Girl and Charlie Collins. Together they represent the diverse migrant community in Australia, coming from Ghanaian, Filipino, Indian, Malaysian, South African, Maltese, Polynesian, and Indian backgrounds.

Meeting for the first time, together, they share stories and recipes, showing how we can all find commonalities and connect when we make room for each other over a meal.

Emmanuel Asante x Lara Andallo

“We have stories to tell from different recipes that come from our culture.”

One is a Ghanaian visual artist based in Sydney, the other an unapologetically Filipino-Australian musician. Lara and Emmanuel dig in to a feast for the senses: a piping hot tomato stew and a candid chat about how food can help us find common ground.

There’s always common ground. Share a meal with a new friend and find it together.

LFresh the LION x Alan Quah

“I shouldn’t be apologetic about my heritage.”

A MasterChef contestant of Malaysian descent and a Sikh hip-hop artist walk into a kitchen. L-FRESH The LION and Alvin are worlds apart, but they share a journey to embracing their heritage in a multicultural Australia.

We’re all unique yet have so much in common. Open up to someone new and see for yourself.

A.Girl x Charlie Collins

“Who would’ve thought an Indian and a Mauri could bring a dish together?”

Musicians A. Girl and Charlie whip up Indian meatball curry, bond over their shared love for music, and talk about what migrants bring to the table.

Now it’s your turn. Invite someone to break bread with you, as together you break new ground for a multicultural Australia.

Ace Buchan x Gary Bigeni

“Food is such a safe space.”

World tour surfer Ace invited Gary, a fashion designer with a Maltese background, over for homemade chicken roast and childhood stories. Watch as they reminisce about their mothers who put food on the proverbial table and how their heritage has influenced the culture they now share.

You too can make room for someone’s story. Savour the richness of a multicultural Australia over good food and great company.

Emmanuel Asante x Lara Andallo

“We have stories to tell from different recipes that come from our culture.”

One’s a Ghanaian visual artist based in Sydney, the other an unapologetically Filipino-Australian musician. Lara and Emmanuel dig in to a feast for the senses: piping hot tomato stew and a candid chat about how food can help us find common ground.

There’s always common ground. Share a meal with a new friend and find it together.

LFresh the LION x Alan Quah

“I shouldn’t be apologetic about my heritage.”

We’re all unique yet have so much in common. Open up to someone new and see for yourself.

A.Girl x Charlie Collins

“Who would’ve thought an Indian and a Mauri could bring a dish together?”

Musicians A. Girl and Charlie whip up Indian meatball curry, bond over their shared love for music, and talk about what migrants bring to the table.

Now it’s your turn. Invite someone to break bread with you, as together you break new ground for a multicultural Australia.

Ace Buchan x Gary Bigeni

“Food is such a safe space.”

You too can make room for someone’s story. Savour the richness of a multicultural Australia over good food and great company.

We’re all made of the same ingredients.

Try your hands at the recipes featured in MyGreat Story below!

Emmanuel Asante’s Tomato Stew

LFresh’s Matar Paneer

Charlie Collins’ Indian Meatball Curry

Ace Buchan’s Roast Chicken

Like cooking, building friendship takes time.

Sometimes, first impressions are not enough. Be interested. Ask questions. Take the time to find common ground.

Every story brings us closer together.

Celebrate what we have in common, and what makes us unique.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. We represent the world’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have a unique role to promote and protect all human rights, help empower people, and assist governments in the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

UN Human Rights’ #StandUp4Migrants initiative aims to change the way we tell stories about migrants and migration, brining communities together and upholding the human rights of migrants no matter who they are or where they come from.

Love Frankie is a Bangkok-based, Asia-Pacific social impact research and communications agency. Since 2014, we have co-created social impact initiatives to address a range of societal harms, prejudices and inequalities. We do this through creative communications campaigns and programs, working with strategic partners on the ground to drive change where it is needed most.