.jpg)
Acurrate STP believes in genuine partnerships based on common understandings, shared commitments, and genuine consultation and engagement. This effort is guided by the belief that stronger and healthier communities are more engaged and allow for greater participation.
Only when we work together can we begin to chip away at the legacy of inequality that has existed and to an extent continues to exist. We cannot undo what has been done, but we can work together with goodwill and respect to build a better future. A better future where the Aboriginal people and their culture are valued, and where their continuing and unique rights and responsibilities are recognised.
The task of building such relationships requires a long-term shared commitment so that genuine partnerships can develop, based on respect and understanding for each others’ circumstances, responsibilities and aspirations, and a preparedness to engage openly and honestly with one another. This means that we, AccurateSTP and Aboriginal people need to develop the capacity to listen and seek to understand each other, identify the key issues, and together devise ways of addressing problems through sound and sustainable strategies.
A number of key and inter-connected principles underpin effective engagement with Aboriginal populations:
Effective consultation is an on-going process in which relationships are built over time, rather than a one off event. The fact that ‘consultation’ has so often appeared to be haphazard and meaningless is one reason for the level of cynicism that Aboriginal people often express about promises to consult. This is also the reason why Accurate STP will talk about and promote ‘engagement’ rather than simply consultation.
Only when we work together can we begin to chip away at the legacy of inequality that has existed and to an extent continues to exist. We cannot undo what has been done, but we can work together with goodwill and respect to build a better future. A better future where the Aboriginal people and their culture are valued, and where their continuing and unique rights and responsibilities are recognised.
The task of building such relationships requires a long-term shared commitment so that genuine partnerships can develop, based on respect and understanding for each others’ circumstances, responsibilities and aspirations, and a preparedness to engage openly and honestly with one another. This means that we, AccurateSTP and Aboriginal people need to develop the capacity to listen and seek to understand each other, identify the key issues, and together devise ways of addressing problems through sound and sustainable strategies.
A number of key and inter-connected principles underpin effective engagement with Aboriginal populations:
- Recognition and understanding of the individual aspirations and unique circumstances of Aboriginal people and communities in the different regions
- The need to build trust and co-operation between Accurate STP and Aboriginal people
- Mutual respect and reciprocity
- Effective communication
- Informed consent
- Sustainability of relationships
Effective consultation is an on-going process in which relationships are built over time, rather than a one off event. The fact that ‘consultation’ has so often appeared to be haphazard and meaningless is one reason for the level of cynicism that Aboriginal people often express about promises to consult. This is also the reason why Accurate STP will talk about and promote ‘engagement’ rather than simply consultation.