Mohamed Semra: Striving for a better & more inclusive municipality

Mohamed Semra is a young social entrepreneur and UN Peace Ambassador from Maidstone who has put his hand up to run in Maribyrnong Council. He is a star at developing relationships and liaising with community stakeholders and has contributed years of service as a leader and mentor to his community. However, it was not always so easy. Growing up in Sudan, Mohamed saw first hand the injustice and prejudice placed upon himself, his family and so many other minority tribes who were socially outcast by society. In hopes of finding a new home his mother had decided to seek a better life in a new country, one not preordained by possessions, status or wealth, where their potential would not be stifled by others’ preconceptions. So Mohamed and his family moved to Australia.

Mohamed went on to start his primary education where he immediately realised that while Australia was far more accepting and their lives were far better off then back home, unfortunately there were people he met for the first time that seemed to have a preconceived idea of his behaviour and intentions. This highlighted a grave issue and for as long as he can remember Mohamed has worked to shatter the misconceptions and stigma surrounding African migrants and refugees.

“for as long as he can remember Mohamed has worked to shatter the misconceptions and stigma surrounding African migrants and refugees.”

 What inspired you to run in Maribyrnong Council?

I will be running in the upcomin gelections to represent Stony Creek Ward; across the suburbs of Braybrook, West Footscray, Tottenham and Maidstone. I have lived locally for 16 years and can attest to the diversity, resilience and compassion within our community. That is why I believe it is important that council is a reflection of the community it serves. The past few months have not been easy, that is why I want to make sure that nobody is left behind in our Post COVID-19 recovery.

Growing up, my mother was my greatest role model; she instilled in me the values of kindness, empathy and resilience. Her guidance allowed me to be socially conscious from a young age, encouraging me to do what little I can for my community. As a result I have dedicated the past 3 years to community work, co-founding a social enterprise which invests in our young leaders, sitting on the board of an international NGO and currently serving as a UN peace Ambassador for Humanitarian Affairs Asia.

If elected I will use my experience and cultural awareness to be your independent voice striving for a better more inclusive municipality.

What are the key causes and impact areas you are championing?

I pledge to bring the plight of low-income families and vulnerable people to the surface of political discussions. That means more support for those who can’t afford to pay housing rates and more programs targeting young people. I promise to do everything in my power to support our businesses and community groups that are the foundation of our successful municipality. As a council we must try and get more done while tapping into less of our budget so that the excess can go to supporting businesses that need dire assistance. No one should have to lose their business because of this pandemic. I believe it is time we adequately invest in our mental health and ensure that council is providing necessary services that are culturally aware.

What is your message to other young people who might feel disenchanted about the current political landscape?

Times are tough, I understand. As young people we are finding it hard to express our views and feel as if we are not in control of our own narratives. We sometimes become disheartened when we feel we are not doing enough for our community, and that is normal. I will like to emphasise that no act is too small when it comes to raising awareness on an issue. Young people have shown countless times that they can be innovative, influential and leaders in their own rights. My advice to my fellow young people is to be confident in your skill set and to strive to be the change you want to see. Social media has allowed us to be more connected than ever before, a great platform for social change.