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Jawun
experience
workplace, influence organisational practices,
challenge misconceptions, lead by example and
encourage others to engage with Indigenous
Australia.
Broader society is influenced
when
alumni or Executive Visit participants who hold
positions of authority are able to influence public
opinion, government or industry, or when public
servants inform and influence the delivery of
policies and programs.
Changes within the individual
Attitudinal changes
Behavioural changes
A Jawun secondment or Executive Visit is often
a deeply transformative experience, which not
only changes the way an individual thinks about
themselves and others but the way they operate in
the world.
37
In the 2014 Jawun Alumni Survey, 77%
of respondents described their Jawun experience
as ‘life-changing’. When individuals directly engage
with Indigenous communities, it enables deeper
awareness of Indigenous challenges and realities,
and leads to
attitudinal changes
in the form of
greater understanding, support, empathy and
respect for Indigenous people.
38
Every time you send out a group of
secondees, there’s a group of people who
have the chance to go back into broader
society with a better view and a better
understanding of the issues that face
Aboriginal people all across Australia.
PETER RILEY,
WESTPAC, NPY LANDS 2014
Katherine Power from the Australian Public Service
Commission said secondees from the APS typically
report a shift in attitude. One secondee surveyed in
the APSC evaluation conducted in 2014 reflected:
‘I have changed from a blind follower of general
attitudes to someone wanting to make a change.’
Peter Rixon, who works in the APS, explained how
his attitudes towards Indigenous Australians were
radically changed following his secondment:
Before Jawun, when I was asked about the
Indigenous community my answers were shaped
by suspicions fed by what I now know to be
ill-informed stereotypes. Thanks to the Jawun
program, I understand now the legitimacy of
Indigenous aspiration, and the need to allow
cultural expression and provide meaningful
opportunities for Indigenous communities.
FIGURE 8:
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
A GROWING RIPPLE EFFECT 49