Prime Minister Rudd has made a promise to halve the education and work opportunity gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in ten years. The Dusseldorp Skills Forum, in partnership with Reconciliation Australia, has developed two reports as a contribution to this goal. These reports highlight where the gaps are but also those programs that are already working to narrow them. Closing these gaps does not require reinventing the wheel, but rather knowing what works and supporting these programs.
Keeping Up draws on the insights of How Young Indigenous People are Faring, mapping the patterns of what is happening for young Indigenous people and identifies what improvements can be made. Some good practice examples are showcased in the report.
The Anaiwan language was one of the first to be suppressed by European colonisation – but this once-dormant language is being reclaimed by the Armidale Aboriginal community.
The Festival of Connection provides the opportunity to connect and share experiences, build a strong collective voice for systemic reform and better outcomes for children and communities.
Local knowledge and stories create positive change in Burnie
The whiteboard in Kylie Burgess’ office tells a story about the power of community. It’s covered in notes and ideas about turning local knowledge and lived experience into positive change for the community of Burnie in Tasmania’s north-west.
Dusseldorp Forum acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia and the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we work and live. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.