Joseph Assaf AO (Arabic: جوزيف عساف; born 1944) is a Lebanese-born Australian businessman and founder of the Ethnic Business Awards.
Joseph Assaf | |
|---|---|
| جوزيف عساف | |
 | |
| Born | 20 November 1944 Hardine, Lebanon |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | University of Sydney (BA) UNSW (Diploma) |
| Known for | |
| Spouse |
Angela Assaf (m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | |
| Website | josephassaf |
Biography
editAssaf was born in Hardine, a village in the Batroun District, 80 km from Beirut, Lebanon.[1] His first language was Arabic, and he undertook his schooling in French. In 1967, at the age of 22, he migrated to Australia from Lebanon.[2]
In 1988, Assaf founded the Ethnic Business Awards.[3]
In 2008, Jascom International Pty Ltd published Assaf's book In Someone Else's Shoes, a memoir detailing his experiences as a migrant in Australia.[4] It also explores his understanding of Australian society in the context of multiculturalism.[5]
In June 2013, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the appointment of Assaf to the Civil Society 20 group – the C20 – as part of the wider engagement process for the G20 meeting in Australia in 2014.[6]
In 2014, Assaf was interviewed for the National Archives of Australia's touring exhibition A Ticket to Paradise? for the National Collecting Institution's Touring and Outreach Program.
Honours and awards
editOn 14 June 2010, Assaf was named a Member of the Order of Australia "for service to multiculturalism, to business in the fields of marketing and communications, and to the community as a supporter of a range of charitable organisations."[7]
On 11 June 2018, Assaf was named an Officer of the Order of Australia "for distinguished service to multiculturalism, and to business, as a supporter of community education projects for people from linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to cultural harmony and inclusion."[8][9]
In 2019 the City of Canada Bay in New South Wales named Assaf citizen of the year."City of Canada Bay citizen of the year Joseph Assaf". Daily Telegraph. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021. Joseph Assaf a pioneer of communicating with diversity
References
edit- ^ "Migrant Stories - Josef Assaf". National Archives of Australia.
- ^ "Joseph Assaf talks Ethnic Business Awards, interview with Ricardo Gonçalves". SBS News. 24 September 2017.
- ^ "2013 Ethnic Business Awards Gala Presentation Dinner (25th Anniversary Celebration)". YouTube.
- ^ Assaf, Joseph (2007). In someone else's shoes: a vivid journey through multiculturalism. Leichhardt, N.S.W.: Jascom International Pty Ltd. ISBN 978-0-646-48020-6. OCLC 225517789.
- ^ Assaf, Joseph (2007). In someone else's shoes: a vivid journey through multiculturalism. Leichhardt NSW: Jascom International Pty Ltd. pp. Foreword, Allan Gyngell. ISBN 978-0-646-48020-6.
- ^ "C20 Australia's Civil Society". Australian Council of Social Service.
- ^ "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Mr Joseph ASSAF". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
For service to multiculturalism, to business in the fields of marketing and communications, and to the community as a supporter of a range of charitable organisations.
- ^ Yosufzai, Rashida (11 June 2018). "Honours 2018: The businessman who arrived in someone else's shoes". SBS News. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) entry for Mr Joseph ASSAF AM". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
For distinguished service to multiculturalism, and to business, as a supporter of community education projects for people from linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to cultural harmony and inclusion.
External links
edit- Official website
- Ethnic Business Awards
- "Diversity in the Workplace", speech given in 1995 by Assaf and published at the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship website[dead link]