CONGRESS E-NEWS UPDATE
Congress Meeting Closing Joint Statement by Co-Chairs Sam Jeffries and Josephine Bourne
This inaugural National Congress meeting has been everything that we hoped it would be – powerful and emotive, diverse people and views and ultimately historic for our peoples' self-determination.
As Co-Chairs we called for a culture of robust discussion and fierce conversation while respecting each other’s views. And we’re pleased to say that we have seen that culture in action these past few days.
Over the past three days Delegates, the Board and Speakers talked in depth about the policy areas that impact on First Nations peoples, current issues like constitutional reform and the best ways for the Congress to engage with Members.
Our task now is to reflect on what has happened over these past three days and draw it all together.
The challenges for Delegates, the newly elected National Board of Directors and every Congress Member include:
- Building on our already positive membership base to harness the untapped potential of our communities and peoples
- Engaging with our members to draw out their best ideas and opinions
- Articulating a clear policy platform to engage with Governments and hold them accountable
- Securing our financial future.
The Congress will need to support our first elected National Board while holding them accountable.
We all have confidence that the Congress is capable of great things and now is the time for us to rise up to the challenge of making that a reality to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across Australia.
A summary and report of the first meeting will be used by the new Board to chart their priorities for the year ahead.
Closing Remarks by Congress Co-Chair Ms Josephine Bourne
"We have a new generation of progressive leadership in this country. At a time when too many in the media have written off our peoples as apathetic or uninvolved, our Members and everyone that nominated to be a part of this first meeting are proving not only that you care very deeply about the future of our people and our country, but that you’re willing to do something about it."
See the full speech here.
Some Media Coverage from the Congress Meeting
ABC News Story here
SMH Constitutional Reform Story here
SBS News Story here
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Congress Mentioned at the UN Human Rights Council
The Australian Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Mr Peter Woolcott, made a fifteen minute statement to the Human Rights Council on 8 June 2011.
He addressed the 145 recommendations made to Australia to improve human rights. Over 35 of these recommendations related directly to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Here is an excerpt of the 15 minute statement by the Ambassador
"A number of UPR recommendations made to Australia related to the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
A recent development in this area is the election in April this year of the Co-Chairs of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples.
The National Congress of Australia's First Peoples is a national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The establishment of the National Congress acknowledges the importance of Indigenous Peoples being closely involved in the development and implementation of policies and programs that impact upon them.
The National Congress will provide a central mechanism with which government and the corporate and community sectors can engage and work on reform initiatives.
It will bring to the table an informed and strong national voice for the goals, aspirations, interests and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
Click here for a link to the webcast of the full statement.The section on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples starts at 4 mins 47 secs. |
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