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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