18 April 2008
Delegates of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea
Management Alliance (NAILSMA) will take Indigenous positions to the
Australian Governments 2020 Summit that is being held in Canberra
on the 19 and 20 April.
NAILSMA delegates attending the Summit include the Chairperson,
Mr. Peter Yu, the Executive Officer Mr. Joe Morrison, and Mr. Joe
Ross, the Chairperson of the Indigenous Water Policy Group (a
NAILSMA water initiative). NAILSMA delegates will be highlighting a
number of Indigenous positions under the 2020 Summits
Sustainability and Climate Change Theme.
Mr. Joe Morrison acknowledges, “given the recent change in
government, the current epoch is an opportune time for Indigenous
people to inform innovative policy that is suited to the
requirements of the north of ”.
From NAILSMA’s perspective, the approach for a national
dialogue could be based on principles previously articulated by
renowned Indigenous leader, Mr. Patrick Dodson. Fundamental
principles for that approach are founded on mutual respect for
different views and political positions; upholding the highest
standards of international human rights; maintaining cultural and
social values as integral components for building Australia’s
nation; and, bringing about change that will contribute to a better
sense of Australian nationhood.
Peter Yu explains the concept of a
Culture Based Economy. “This is an economy that supports the
cultural business of Indigenous land and sea management, supports
the credibility and integrity of cultural transactions locally and
across the North and leads to innovative commercial
opportunities”.
“The last decade has seen
the need to act strategically, to articulate where development can
occur, how, and what benefits will arise from them, and, how
Indigenous people will share in these benefits. The 2020 Summit
also provides the opportunity to further articulate NAILSMA’s
‘Culture Based Economy’ approach”, says Mr.
Morrison.
The NAILSMA discussion paper that will be
presented at the 2020 Summit can be downloaded below.
