The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) has introduced a new scholarship to help potential First Peoples leaders advance in Australia’s and New Zealand’s public sector.
The scholarship, worth $15,000-to-$45,000, is for one of ANZSOG’s foundation programs chosen from its Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), Executive Fellows Program (EFP) and Towards Strategic Leadership (TSL).
The three programs are designed for public sector leaders in different stages of their careers, but each has a strong track record of producing senior leaders and giving participants new tools and critical thinking skills to deal with the complex challenges of the public sector.
Dean and Chief Executive of ANZSOG, Ken Smith said the scholarship was part of ANZSOG’s goal of increasing Indigenous leadership in the public sector.
“ANZSOG’s mission is to lift the quality of Public Service leadership in Australia and New Zealand,” Professor Smith said.
“Helping create culturally competent Public Services which value and include First Peoples’ perspectives and help build and strengthen First Peoples’ leadership, is a central part of that mission.”
He said efforts to improve policy outcomes for First Peoples that centred on self-determination would not succeed unless Public Services recognised 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.
“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,” Professor Smith said.
“By giving an Indigenous applicant access to one of our highly-regarded leadership programs, we will provide access to the skills and networks needed to become more effective in their role.”
Deputy Dean (Teaching and Learning) at ANZSOG, Catherine Althaus, who is coordinator of the EFP, said the program’s 2021 virtual format would be perfect for Indigenous leaders.
“Participants will be able to engage with peers and international and local experts in exploring the leadership challenges and opportunities of our times,” Professor Althaus said.
“In 2021, we are engaging with cross-cutting themes of social movements and COVID-19 as we take senior executive leadership to the next level.”
More information is available from ANZSOG at the email address: [email protected].
