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The subtext of Jawun is that it creates a
group of people who become personally
quite committed to Indigenous issues
in Australia. So when we think about
the broader issues of constitutional
recognition and reconciliation, there are
now hundreds and hundreds of people
who have been through Jawun who
are foot soldiers for the cause.
PETER HANLON,
CHAIRMAN, BANK SA
A ‘ripple effect’ is defined as a spreading effect
or series of consequences, usually unintentional,
caused by a single action or event.
36
Fifteen
years from its beginnings in Cape York, Jawun is
beginning to see a ripple effect occurring through
an alumni of more than 1,900 secondees and
500 leaders in Jawun’s partner organisations who
have visited the communities in which it operates.
As these numbers increase, it follows that the ripple
effect of Jawun partnerships will reach more and
more people in Australia.
The influence of the Jawun program often starts
with an individual experience (the stone dropped
in the pond) in the form of a secondment or
Executive Visit (see Figure 4, page 8).
This experience tends to creates ‘
ripples
’ or a
series
of changes within the individual
that usually occur
in the following order:
1.
Attitudinal changes
as a result of increased
awareness and empathy.
2.
Behavioural changes
such as a deeper
connection to community, greater interest in
Indigenous affairs, more inclusive behaviours
in the workplace.
3.
Taking action
in the form of volunteer work,
formal or informal advocacy on Indigenous
issues, board positions or related roles in
Indigenous organisations.
By definition, a ripple effect often spreads to
areas or populations far removed from its origins
(see Figure 8). Similarly, the Jawun program goes
beyond an individual experience. People who have
participated in secondments or Executive Visits
commonly go on to influence their social circles—
usually starting with family and friends and then
moving to wider networks—creating the following
ripple effect in broader society
:
Family, friends and wider social circles are
influenced
when secondment or Executive Visit
experiences and new insights are shared, and when
perceptions are challenged through conversations.
Professional circles are influenced
when alumni
and executives model inclusive behaviour in the
West Kimberley Executive Visit group, 2015.
Photo: David Rennie
48 JAWUN
2015 LEARNINGS AND INSIGHTS