Settlement Services International (SSI) presented the NSW Human Rights Medal to Parliament on King founder Ravi Prasad at the Premier's Harmony Dinner on Tuesday, March 1.
Mr Prasad's social enterprise is a café and bookshop providing hospitality training to Sydney's refugee and asylum seeker communities and addressing barriers to social, cultural and economic participation.
"The refugees and asylum seekers we work with have so much to offer us all and should be welcomed here with open arms, minds and hearts," Mr Prasad said.
"My hope is that each should find in Australia the safety and belonging we need to build meaningful, useful lives."
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said that Parliament on King's mission and its important work with refugees and asylum seekers shared many synergies with SSI's values.
"I'm delighted to have presented the award to Ravi Prasad, whose social enterprise focuses on solving food insecurity issues faced by vulnerable communities."
The NSW Human Rights Medal, sponsored by SSI, celebrates people and organisations that go above and beyond to further human rights initiatives in Australia.
"This medal shines a light on the remarkable work that Australians do every day," said Ms Roumeliotis.
The Premier's Multicultural Community Medals and Honour Roll pay tribute to the many outstanding people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote social cohesion and harmony across NSW and bring together multicultural community leaders, stakeholders and decision-makers.
Other 2022 medallists include Rosa Loria, who won the 2022 SBS Lifetime Community Service Medal for her work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and Khadijah Habbouche, who won the Youth Medal for helping to strengthen connections between people from diverse backgrounds.
