Closing The Gaps Doesn't Mean Reinventing The Wheel

MEDIA RELEASE

'Closing the gaps doesn't mean reinventing the wheel'

Canberra ACT, 30 April 2009: Gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous participation in education are narrowing slowly but not translating into post-school outcomes. Two new reports on Indigenous youth by Dusseldorp Skills Forum, in partnership with Reconciliation Australia, are to be released by Professor Mick Dodson AM in Canberra today.

Challenging the idea of entrenched disadvantage for Indigenous young people, How young people are faring and Keeping Up show that there are improvements in participation in school and Year 12 completion for 15- 19 year olds. These improvements, however, are not translating into fulltime employment or participation in higher education.

Mick Dodson, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, said the DSF reports demonstrate that young Indigenous Australians are not being served as they should in the most critical area of their lives. "I decided to use some of my exposure as Australian of the Year this year to talk and learn about what we are and aren't doing in this country to help all young people regardless of where they are born and the colour of their skin get access to the education resources and support they need.

"We should resist the urge to search for complex solutions and recognise that we do know what works, we just have to commit to it for the long haul with all the resources and effort we can muster."

Chris Wrightson from Dusseldorp Skills Forum said that there were positive results shown in the reports.

"School participation is where the most significant improvements have occurred. However, it hasn't yet translated into improvements in post- school outcomes. This is where more attention needs to be focused"

Closing the gaps is not about reinventing the wheel. We know what works. The reports show that we have the key to begin to move forward. Programs that are proven are to be found across Australia. From the Deadly Days on the North Coast of NSW to the Yungullungulla gardens at Christie's Beach High School, ways of involving Indigenous youth in education, training and employment are evident. What is needed to close the gaps is support of these programs on a national level.

To view the reports in full or find out more about the good practice examples, visit www.dsf.org.au/indigenousreports

Contact:
Claire Tedeschi
Reconciliation Australia
0418 633 277

Francesca Sidoti
Dusseldorp Skills Forum
0437 976 238

SOURCE: Dusseldorp Skills Forum