Reconciliation Strategy
Promoting an understanding of Aboriginal history and reconciliation amongst multicultural communities.
Since 1991 there has been a formal national agenda which has identified and recognised the need for a reconciled Australia in which justice, hope, unity and equality is embraced and achieved with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
MDA aims to ensure that all involved with MDA* will gain an understanding of this unique history and ongoing quest for cultural, social, political and economic independence.
In 2008 in collaboration with Indigenous community members we developed and published reconciliation strategy. To continue our commitment to reconciliation in Australia we are developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, to aid us in putting our strategies into place and furthermore so we can play our part of the Australian wide movement or reconciliation.
So far the MDA has taken steps to
• Ensure all those involved with our association informed about events within local Indigenous communities.
• Encouraged volunteer staff who work resettling refugees into their new environment to attend events with the newly arrived families
• Establish a relationship with the local indigenous community centre so we can work together to build respect relationships and opportunities between our two organisations.
The wonderful staff of Musgrave Cultural Centre, have graciously welcomed the idea of working with the MDA on planning an event which will celebrate the multiple cultures which exist within the Refugee and Indigenous Communities.
Staff who attended events during NADOC week felt they broadened their knowledge of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities and Issues.
We a currently working on
• Creating opportunities for women from the refugee and Indigenous communities to get together.
• Including an Indigenous knowledge and understanding element in our staff and volunteer training
• Develop a protocol for verbal acknowledgement in consultation with members of indigenous community,
• Establish a relationship with school/s whom have high numbers of indigenous and refugees students
• Work with the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre in organising a community event for the refugee, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities
Read more:
Submitted by:
Jane Cowan
Multi-cultural Development Association
512 Stanley St , South Brisbane, QLD, 4101
ph:(07) 3357 5400
email: janec@mdabne.org.au
web: www.mdainc.org.au
Categories:
Categories:Community Development, Other
Themes:Reconciliation, Strengthening Multi-Cultural Communities
Release Date:24-Jun-2009
Date of Study:24-Jun-2009
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