Panel discussion - First Nations’ engagement in the new International Development Policy

Panelists (L-R) Braiden Abala, Alice Tamang, Tony Kiessler and Jenna Hawes

November 2023

At the 2023 Australasian AID Conference, Alice Tamang joined a panel to discuss the implications Australia’s new International Development Policy may have for First Nations engagement across the Indo-Pacific.

For much of our history, the crucial role of Australia’s First Nations in foreign policy and international development program has been overshadowed. 2023 signalled a transformative shift in this narrative. The government took the step of appointing Justin Mohamed as Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. This was closely followed by the launch of the new International Development Policy, which underscores the significance of embedding First Nations Australians’ perspectives into the nation’s international development program. While this policy elevates First Nations to the core of the development agenda, it candidly acknowledges the challenges ahead, necessitating innovative approaches and a recalibration of traditional ways of working.

In response to these shifts, the panel explored the policy’s potential impact on the international development industry, probed its potential influence on regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, and discussed potential paths forward.

Panelists:

• Renee Cremer - Chief Executive Officer, Young Australians in International Affairs

• Alice Tamang - Managing Director, Connecting Cultures International and Indigenous Programs Manager, Australian Volunteers Program

• Darren Godwell - Chief Executive Officer, i2i Global

• Jacqui De Lacy - Chief Global Development Officer, Abt Global

• Professor Dave Peebles, Director, Australia Pacific Security College, Australian National University

Watch via the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyc5h-N3oaM&list=PLst83qmLET6SME_5LgkaVE6wVaa80VuSB&index=16