The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) has released its First People’s Strategy, detailing the measures taken to incorporate First Peoples’ knowledge and culture into everyday Public Service work.
In a statement, ANZSOG said the Strategy would also provide a blueprint for building on this work in the future.
It said the Strategy had three objectives.
“We want to help build a future where First Peoples have increased success at all levels of the public sector,” ANZSOG said.
“Secondly, that Public Services are increasingly culturally competent as a result of ANZSOG’s programs.
“Finally, that ANZSOG is a culturally confident organisation supporting the Australian and New Zealand Governments.”
Dean and Chief Executive of ANZSOG, Ken Smith said the Strategy was an essential part of fulfilling the School’s mission to lift the quality of Public Service leadership in Australia and New Zealand.
“While First Peoples have participated in ANZSOG programs for many years as students and guest speakers, we have only recently begun incorporating First Peoples’ knowledge and culture into all our activities,” Professor Smith said.
“This strategy consolidates our achievements to date and outlines the significant work we have ahead of us.”
He said that in order to deliver effective public policy and better outcomes for First Peoples, and progressively repair the impact of colonisation, Public Services needed to continuously change and adapt.
“Efforts to improve policy outcomes for First Peoples that centre on self-determination will not succeed unless Public Services recognise the need to work with First Peoples communities as equals, and to incorporate First Peoples’ ways of being and knowing across policy and program design and delivery,” Professor Smith said.
“Public Services must work to recruit and retain First Peoples staff at all levels, foster First Peoples leadership inside and outside Public Services, and recognise and respect the existing strengths of First Peoples communities and styles of leadership.”
ANZSOG’s 12-page First Peoples Strategy can be accessed on the School’s website at this PS News link.
