Although the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) had a limited role in Victoria, neither Nguyen nor the VMC has been immune to international crises.
Both have been tested by the unprecedented upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, international conflicts, the cost-of-living crisis, and an emotionally charged national debate about multiculturalism and monoculturalism.
Nguyen, who came to Australia as a refugee in the mid-1980s, became Chairperson of the VMC just months before COVID-19 hit hard the lives of Victorians and people around the world.
Her leadership was tested, but her belief in the VMC's core mission, values, and Victoria's multicultural communities only grew stronger.
A trusted Voice: Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Looking back, she describes one of the Commission's proudest achievements as building awareness and trust that multicultural and faith communities are active contributors to Victoria's economic and social wellbeing, not merely recipients of government services.
Nguyen believes that during the pandemic, community organisations and faith communities played a trusted role, conveying critical health information and helping vulnerable families, and acting as a bridge between the government and diverse communities.
She believes those roles established a trusted partnership between the government and multicultural communities.
I fundamentally believe in the power of the people.Vivian Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
"We become a trusted voice and a credible voice and a visible voice for communities to share their perspective and their solutions, their challenges, their hopes, and their aspirations with us, and for us to be able to bring those back to the government," she said, describing the VMS's central role as a bridge connecting multicultural communities with the government's two way policy making process.
A New Body: Multicultural Victoria
Nguyen's interview with SBS Amharic comes as the Victorian Government moves to replace the VMC with a new statutory body, Multicultural Victoria, based on the recommendations of Victoria's Multicultural Review, an independent review led by George Lekakis AO and commissioned by the Victorian Government.
Among the review's 41 recommendations is a plan for the new organisation to bring policy coordination under one roof.
"The benefits are to bring all the different functions supporting the multicultural and faith communities under one roof, so that you have better coordination, better information sharing, and much more effective ways to allocate resources," Nguyen explained.
She expects the Legislation to establish Multicultural Victoria to be introduced to Parliament in the coming months. Until then, the VMC will continue to perform its duties under its existing legislative mandate.
Responding to the Multiculturalism Debate
Asked about the growing political debate over claims that multiculturalism has "failed," in favour of a monocultural argument, Nugyen was direct.
"We are a country that comprises people from all walks of life and have proudly been so," she said, referring to Australia's history of migration.
The country has welcomed one million refugees who have helped shape modern Australia. "It is those one million refugees who have contributed to Australia over the last many decades."
Australia is a country made up of people from all walks of life.Vivian Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Nguyen pointed out the diversity of political voices in Australia to the differences within families.
"We know even in our own family dynamics, different generations of grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren, we have differences, we have different views and opinions. Our differences make us stronger because together we can find solutions that support everybody."
For her, multiculturalism is not simply a government policy.
It is about recognising the dignity, contribution and potential of every individual, regardless of culture, language, religion or background.
She also acknowledges the concern about the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
The Importance of Accurate Information
Nguyen believes that accurate information, education, and responsible journalism are essential to make decisions, maintaining trust, and strengthening democracy.
"I suppose in a way I am concerned. We are in a situation where there is a lot of misinformation. But I do believe in the power of the people."
She praised organisations such as SBS for helping multicultural communities access reliable information in their own languages.
According to Nguyen, informed communities are better equipped to participate confidently in civic life and make decisions that benefit both themselves and society.
Building Social Cohesion
For Nguyen, social cohesion begins with something simple: getting to know one another.
"We need to understand, appreciate, and respect each other for what we have to offer. Otherwise, we won't know. And if we don't know each other, we can't build connections, we can't build friendship, we can't build understanding or social cohesion."
She recalls how her English-as-a-second-language teacher once guided her to support services after she arrived in Australia, a small act of kindness she has never forgotten.
Small acts of kindness, welcoming new arrivals, sharing information or simply introducing someone to their new community, can have a lasting impact.
Those everyday interactions, she says, build stronger neighbourhoods and a stronger Victoria.
Looking Ahead
As she prepares to conclude her tenure, Nguyen expressed heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of volunteers, community leaders and organisations she has worked alongside over the past seven years.
Her message to communities and future leaders centres on a shared sense of humanity. "At the end of the day, we are humans. Whatever shape or size, whatever colour, whatever faith, we are people," she said.
Looking ahead, she remains optimistic. Like many migrants before her, Nguyen believes Australia continues to offer hope, opportunity and democratic values worth protecting.
She acknowledges that new challenges, including technological change and artificial intelligence, will continue to reshape society.
"Any human innovation should always be used for the good," she said.
She called on the media, including multicultural outlets such as SBS, to keep the community informed through real-life stories and to focus on the positive alongside the challenges.
When asked what legacy she hopes to leave, Nguyen returned to the principle that has defined her public service.
"I fundamentally believe in the power of the people."
