About Us
There are sixteen Community Working Parties (CWPs) currently operating across the Murdi Paaki region. CWPs are comprised of Aboriginal community people and are recognised as the key point of contact between government and
Aboriginal communities. The Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly is made up of the Chairpersons of eachof the 16 CWPs plus an elected Chairperson.
The Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly and CWPs have recognised the importance of Aboriginal young people being involved in decisions made about the current and future needs of Aboriginal people. Many CWPs have specific positions on the CWP for Aboriginal young people, however only a few CWPs have been able to recruit Aboriginal
youth as members or have young people regularly attending their meetings.
There is a clear need to develop a framework
that:
- encourages Aboriginal young people to become involved in local and regional community governance
- provides Aboriginal young people with opportunities to be immersed and involved in activities to increase their knowledge,
skills and understanding of leadership and community ways of doing business
- identifies and supports Aboriginal young people to develop their potential and their self esteem
- enables Aboriginal young people to be role models for their peers
- fosters stronger relationships between Elders and young people
- provides specific training and activities to develop required skills and knowledge
- results in Aboriginal young people being empowered through a better knowledge of themselves, their own communities, other Aboriginal communities in the Murdi Paaki region, other Aboriginal communities in Australia and other Indigenous communities around the world.
The Murdi Paaki Aboriginal Young Leaders Project is a two-year regional leadership development program for Aboriginal young people to increase their knowledge and skills in community governance leading to increased representation of Aboriginal young people in CWPs and other decision making bodies.
The Murdi Paaki Aboriginal Young Leaders Project aims to
- provide opportunities for Aboriginal young people to develop skills, knowledge and qualities in leadership and community governance
- encourage Aboriginal young people to participate in forums and local and regional decision-making processes
- enhance Aboriginal young people’s self esteem and increase their sense of connection to their community
- better equip young Aboriginal people for leadership roles in their communities and CWPs.
Up to four representatives from 15 years to 24 years will be selected from each community. The community will be represented by a least one male and one female. Participants do not need to have previous experience in leadership positions.
Participants will be nominated by the CWP. The Murdi Paak Regional Assembly and CWPs will provide ongoing support to participants.
Examples of workshops, developmental activities and experiences include:
- induction workshop
- leadership opportunitie
- personal goal setting
- governance workshops
- networking with other Aboriginal young people from inside and outside the region
- discussions with Aboriginal Elders, role models and speakers
- linked to a mentor
- community project to be undertaken back in community
- participation in framing the future of the project
- individual and team skills development
- Aboriginal cultural workshops
- community dynamics
- government and service delivery
- submission writing
- discussions and forums
- joint meetings with other established regional decision making bodies
- focus on youth and community issues
- facilitating workshops
- individual and group presentations
- presentation of community projects to diverse groups
- video conferences with other Indigenous young people
- understanding publicity, working with the media
Participants will be required to attend up to four workshops every 12 months and undertake a local project in their community. Workshops will be held within the Murdi Paaki region. Attendance at other activities and meetings will be dependent on participants’ interest and availability.
Costs associated with travel, accommodation and attendance at workshops will be covered by the project.
The project is a key strategy of the Murdi Paaki COAG Trial and a partnership between the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly, the 16 Murdi Paaki CWPs, the Department of Education, Science and Training, the NSW Department of Education and Training and the NSW government’s Better Futures Strategy.
MPREC Fact Sheet-Young Leaders Project (1538 KB)