Objective

The Australian Government is committed to providing opportunities to assist indigenous peoples –both in Australia and overseas–to overcome social and economic disadvantages.

Indigenous peoples make up only 5 per cent of the global population; however they make up 15 per cent of the world's poor and about one-third of the world's 900 million extremely poor rural people¹. Australia's first peoples are one of the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth. The contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to modern Australian society is an enormous part of what makes our country and who we are. The Australian Government is committed to better engagement with its Indigenous peoples to ensure policies and programmes improve their lives and opportunities across the country. Globally, Australia continues to be a strong advocate for the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples around the world in international matters which affect them.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is committed to ensuring that indigenous peoples benefit from its work. Through a network of 95 overseas posts in 77 countries, and in partnership with government and non-government organisations, business and community groups in Australia and overseas, DFAT leads the Australian Government's efforts to:

• advance Australia's security interests internationally
• open up new markets and create conditions for increased trade and investment to strengthen Australia's economy and to create jobs
• lift living standards and reduce poverty in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond
• shape the regional and international environment and strengthen global cooperation in ways that advance Australia's interests
• project a positive and contemporary image of Australia as a destination for business, investment, tourism and study
• provide high-quality passport and consular services to Australian citizens.

DFAT has developed a five-year Indigenous Peoples Strategy to align its work on issues affecting indigenous peoples across the foreign policy, aid, trade and corporate objectives for the department. The Indigenous Peoples Strategy provides a framework for DFAT to work with its partners to advance and promote the wellbeing of indigenous peoples around the world, in line with Australia's national interest. DFAT will use the strategy to manage for positive results and continual improvement in its work on issues affecting indigenous peoples. DFAT will assess and disseminate lessons from its work to
contribute towards evidence and debate about issues affecting indigenous peoples, both in Australia and overseas.

The strategy will be guided by four pillars to achieve this vision:

• DFAT will work with its partners to influence international policy to advance the interests of indigenous peoples in the international community.
• DFAT will strive to deliver international programs that improve outcomes for indigenous peoples.
• DFAT will encourage Indigenous Australians to apply for DFAT-funded opportunities to engage in and develop people-to-people links with the international community.
• DFAT will ensure an inclusive workplace culture across the department.

DFAT's Indigenous Taskforce is responsible for monitoring the overall implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Strategy.

DFAT will conduct a mid-term review of the strategy in 2017 and a final review in 2020.

The pillars

Pillar 1: DFAT will work with its partners to influence international policy to advance the interests of indigenous peoples in the international community, in line with Australia's national interest

DFAT represents and advocates Australia's interests to foreign governments, and in international and regional organisations. DFAT will use these relationships to advance the interests of indigenous peoples in the international community.

In developing and implementing international policy that may affect indigenous peoples, DFAT will consult with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), the lead agency on Australia's Indigenous affairs policies and programs. DFAT will take into account the linkages between the domestic and international contexts, and will be alert to the way in which policy makers in other countries are approaching similar policy issues. DFAT will remain active in regional and multilateral fora that address issues affecting indigenous peoples.

Key activities and targets by 2020

• DFAT's international policy advocacy will continue to be informed by evidence-based analysis of issues affecting indigenous peoples, both in Australia and overseas.
• Where relevant, DFAT will implement and promote Australian Government policies and strategies on issues affecting indigenous peoples in its international work.
• DFAT will continue working with PM&C to influence relevant international and regional policies, resolutions and negotiations to advance the interests of indigenous peoples.
• DFAT will continue advocating the inclusion of issues relating to indigenous peoples in relevant bilateral, regional and multilateral policy discussions.
• DFAT will continue to raise indigenous issues with UN Member States, where relevant, through the Universal Periodic Review process.
• DFAT will work with its domestic and international partners to advocate for international standards that promote the protection of indigenous people's intellectual property.
• Where relevant, DFAT's policy advocacy will promote economic opportunities for indigenous peoples.
• DFAT will work through domestic and international partners to encourage dialogue between indigenous groups and the extractives industry.

Key performance indicators

• Satisfaction of ministers and the executive with the quality and extent of DFAT's influence on international indigenous policies, as measured by ongoing feedback from the Indigenous Taskforce and responses on ministerial submissions.
• Extent to which relevant international policies and strategies include issues affecting indigenous peoples, as assessed by the Indigenous Taskforce.

Pillar 2: DFAT will strive to deliver international programs that improve outcomes for indigenous peoples

DFAT administers international programs to achieve the Australian Government's foreign policy, trade, aid and economic diplomacy objectives. DFAT will ensure that wherever relevant, DFAT-funded programs will strive to improve outcomes for
indigenous peoples and bring into account international best-practise.

DFAT has released its Reaching indigenous peoples in the Australian aid program: guidance note to assist staff and implementing partners to give effect to this Strategy in the aid program.

Key activities and targets by 2020

• DFAT will establish a 'Community of Practice on Indigenous Issues' to facilitate collaboration and share evidence-based lessons between organisations working on domestic or international issues affecting indigenous peoples.
• Wherever relevant, DFAT programs will strive to improve outcomes for indigenous peoples.
• DFAT will strengthen its internal reporting systems to better disaggregate data on indigenous peoples, particularly in regard to the overseas aid program.
• Where DFAT's overseas aid programs may have an impact on indigenous peoples, DFAT will strive to:
  • consult with indigenous peoples on decisions that affect them;
  • use evidence-based analysis of issues specifically affecting indigenous peoples to inform the concept, design and evaluations of the aid investments;
  • provide meaningful opportunities for indigenous peoples to participate in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs delivered in indigenous communities.
  • identify and address barriers, on an ongoing basis, that may prevent indigenous peoples from accessing and equally benefiting from the aid program, including indigenous women and girls and indigenous peoples living with disability.
  • establish and monitor measures to mitigate potential adverse impacts of its programs on indigenous peoples.
  • disaggregate data so the impact of Australian aid on indigenous peoples can be readily determined.

Key performance indicators

• DFAT systems explicitly recognise, manage and report on aid investments that impact on indigenous peoples, as evidenced by changes to the Aid Programming Guide, Investment Design Guidance and AidWorks.
• DFAT has appropriate systems and procedures to avoid and mitigate potential adverse impacts of its aid investments on indigenous peoples, as evidenced by changes to the Aid Programming Guide, Investment Design Guidance and AidWorks.
• Extent to which DFAT is collaborating with domestic counterparts on indigenous issues, as measured by the Community of Practice on Indigenous Issues.

Pillar 3: DFAT will encourage Indigenous Australians to apply for DFAT-funded opportunities to engage in and develop people-to-people links with the international community

The Australian Government is committed to building people-to-people links and economic cooperation between Australia and the world. DFAT provides a number of programs dedicated to supporting the development of networks and relationships that facilitate knowledge exchange, understanding and cooperation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and between Indigenous Australians and their counterparts in the international community.

DFAT will work with domestic partners to encourage Indigenous Australians to apply for, and participate in, DFAT-funded opportunities to perform, study, volunteer or work overseas. DFAT will disaggregate data to track, monitor and improve participation.

Key activities and targets by 2020

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program (a public diplomacy program) will continue promoting and exchanging ideas around Indigenous Australian cultures. It will facilitate activities and initiatives that promote a broad range of Indigenous cultural, scientific and sporting activities overseas.
• The Australian Volunteers for International Development program will continue tailoring overseas volunteer assignments, and recruitment and selection methods to improve access for Indigenous Australians. The program will provide additional program and peer support for Indigenous Australian volunteers.
• DFAT will conduct targeted outreach to inform Indigenous Australians and organisations about DFAT-funded opportunities to engage overseas, including:
  • the New Colombo Plan, which offers opportunities for undergraduate students to study in the Indo–Pacific region, and come back to Australia with new perspectives and ideas to add to the productivity and prosperity of Australia
  • the Australia Awards Fellowships program, which offers Australian organisations the opportunity to deepen and broaden existing links with leaders and professionals in developing countries, to advance priority foreign affairs and development issues of shared interest at the national, regional and subregional levels
  • the International Relations Grants Program, which provides competitive grants to foster people-to-people and institutional links–bilaterally and regionally–in support of the Australian Government's foreign and trade policy goals, and to project a positive image of Australia.

Key performance indicators

• Increased number of Indigenous Australians applying for a DFAT-funded opportunity supporting people-to-people links overseas, as assessed by DFAT's Indigenous Taskforce.
• Increased number of Indigenous Australians participating in a DFAT-funded opportunity supporting people-to-people links overseas, as assessed by the Indigenous Taskforce.
• Feedback from Indigenous Australian participants about the quality of their experiences with a DFAT-funded program.
• Number of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander public diplomacy annual activities.
• Quality of DFAT's outreach to inform Indigenous Australian communities about opportunities to perform, study, work or volunteer overseas, as assessed by the Indigenous Taskforce.

Pillar 4: DFAT will ensure an inclusive workplace culture across the department

DFAT is committed to ensuring that the department has an inclusive workplace culture that is supported by best-practice corporate policies and processes. Recognising the unique position of Indigenous Australians as the first peoples of
Australia, and the Australian Government's commitment to reconciliation and closing the gap on Indigenous Australian disadvantage, DFAT will operate targeted strategies and programs to support reconciliation with Indigenous Australians and to support the recruitment, retention and career development of Indigenous Australian employees in the department. DFAT is also committed to sharing knowledge with Indigenous Australian communities through the temporary placement of DFAT staff into Indigenous Australian organisations.

Key activities and targets by 2020

• DFAT will develop and implement best-practice corporate policies and procedures that respect diversity, pursue excellence and innovation, and remove administrative barriers that may affect the full and equitable participation of
  Indigenous Australian employees.
• DFAT will continue supporting the Indigenous Employees Network as the department's representative body for Indigenous Australian employees.
• DFAT will continue implementing, monitoring and evaluating its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
• develop and implement an Indigenous Employment Strategy, and dedicated employment and career development pathways to specifically support the recruitment, retention and career development of Indigenous Australian employees.
• facilitate opportunities for staff to volunteer on paid time in Indigenous Australian communities, and will support staff who volunteer.
• provide opportunities for its staff to learn more about Indigenous Australian issues.
• DFAT's Indigenous Taskforce and Indigenous Champions will continue:
  • monitoring the development and implementation of Indigenous-related policies, strategies and programs in the department
  • advocating Indigenous issues at senior levels across the department and the Australian Public Service.

Key performance indicators

• Improvement in staff survey results for Indigenous Australian employees.
• Extent to which DFAT's corporate policies and programs are removing administrative barriers and are inclusive of Indigenous Australian employees, as assessed by the Indigenous Taskforce.
• Number of staff volunteering in Indigenous Australian communities.
• Progress with meeting the APS target for Indigenous employees.
• Progress with implementing the RAP and Indigenous Employment Strategy, as assessed by the Indigenous Taskforce.

1 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2010. 2010 state of the world's indigenous peoples, UN, New York.

2 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2010. 2010 state of the world's indigenous peoples, UN, New York.

3 Gray, Andrew, 1991, Between the spice of life and the melting pot: biodiversity conservation and its impact on indigenous peoples, IWGIA Document No. 70, Copenhagen, IWGIA.

4 Cobo, M n.d., Study of the problem of discrimination against indigenous populations, United Nations document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1986/87, UN, New York.

5 Article 1, ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 169, Geneva, 27 June 1989

6 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2010, et al