Indigenous affairs drive dialogue centre debut

SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2008

Many of Australia’s key stakeholders in Indigenous affairs analysed the successes and failures of government policies and made recommendations for the future at the inaugural event of The Australian National University’s Centre for Dialogue.

The event, held at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), brought together a wide range of participants and observers for a dialogue in-the-round. Amongst the topics discussed were the Northern Territory Intervention, avenues for formal recognition of Australian Indigenous peoples and how to develop Indigenous business leadership.

Among the 26 discussants on the day were Professor Mick Dodson, Dr Olga Havnen of the Red Cross, Steve Larkin of AIATSIS, Tom Calma of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Professor Jon Altman and many others. They were joined by 33 observers, making a wide cross section of representation from Indigenous stakeholders and policy makers.

The ANU Centre for Dialogue, once completed, will be housed on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin between the National Library and Questacon. It will be a place where groups and individuals can exchange ideas and engage in dialogue in-the-round on issues of national importance. Ten million dollars has already been pledged to the Centre’s establishment by a philanthropist and ANU has funded the development plans for the Centre.

ANU Centre for Dialogue Director Peter Hancock said the inaugural event allowed a wide range of views on Indigenous affairs to be discussed and debated. “The dialogue was driven by a respect for individual views, listening, an exchange of ideas and the search for common ground. Through this, the participants can produce conclusions about where policy can be developed and improved,” he said.

For more information: Martyn Pearce, ANU Media Office – (02) 6125 5575 / 0416 249 245