What did Australia Day mean to you?
Many people celebrated Australia Day at the myriad of public events or private gatherings with family - how ever we define it - or friends. This year, Diversity Council Australia celebrates the Australian workplace and the contribution made to our contemporary economic infrastructure by all Australians. As we celebrate, it's important that we are aware of the different points of view that abound in the community. For many people, Australia Day was spent celebrating at a backyard barbecue, park or at the beach. Some attended one of the many citizenship ceremonies held to welcome new citizens. For many Indigenous Australians, the date the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove is viewed as 'Invasion Day', a day that signalled the start of much pain and loss for Aboriginal communities. Others view it as 'Survival Day', celebrating the resilience of Indigenous communities and the survival and flourishing of Aboriginal cultures in all their forms.
Andrew Demetriou, CEO of DCA member the AFL and Chair of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council, told DCA that Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate the talents, contributions and impact of all Australians from all communities who have contributed to making Australia an amazingly diverse multicultural community.
"When you see so many multicultural communities involved in Australia Day events across the country, it is a celebration of the elements that unite us as a nation and make us stronger. But it is also an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing need to recognise, respect the diversity of our multicultural community and embrace the differences rather than fear them," says Andrew.
Nareen Young, DCA's CEO sees Australia Day as a great opportunity to reflect on how the diversity of Australia's population can be better used in our workplaces.
"Australia is one of the world's most culturally diverse nations and few would argue this diversity has not contributed to the economic success we enjoy today. But important questions need to be asked about why key groups in the community are still unable to fully participate in the workforce.
"Why are Aboriginal Australians still notably absent from corporate workplaces, especially beyond low-skill, low-pay positions? Why are so few people with disability able to gain meaningful employment? Does the composition of our workplaces really reflect the diverse ethnic, racial or national backgrounds found in the community? Does everybody who is Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual or Transgender (LGBT) feel comfortable expressing who they are at work? Why is it still so hard to balance work and family? And, while we are at it, how can it be that after so many years of public focus on this area that we still have so few women in leadership and management positions?
"As we emerge from the GFC with the 'skills shortage' back in focus and legislative reform on women's role in the economy in prospect, we must ensure we harness the enormous diversity of talent that is out there in the community. DCA wants to look back this time next year and say that 2010 was the year of concrete achievement in these areas," says Nareen.
Shane Bradshaw, Co-Chair of DCA's Board of Advisors and HR Manager for Invacare believes that HR plays a crucial role in enabling an organisation to both attract and retain diverse talent.
"Clearly there is a commercial advantage for businesses who believe in and promote diversity and this is a philosophy that must be echoed in an organisation from the top down. We should constantly review our successes and identify learning outcomes from our experiences. Challenging existing systems and assumptions together with considering new ways and means of achieving and embedding real and lasting change is key,” says Shane.
Natalie Walker, Chief Executive at the
Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council believes that from little things, big things grow.
"Our nation will mature by taking small but deliberate steps towards a more diverse and inclusive society. I see Indigenous Australians being beneficiaries of this transformation through new ideas like the inclusion of Indigenous owned, managed and controlled businesses into the supply chain of Australia's largest companies and government agencies," says Natalie.
Dawn Hough, Program Director - Pride in Diversity at ACON believes Australia is becoming increasingly tolerant and accepting of sexuality and gender diversity.
"As employers seek to gain a competitive advantage in the labour market, create inclusive cultures, mitigate risk and elevate levels of employee engagement and retention, there is a growing recognition of the value in adopting workplace policies which reach beyond anti-discrimination and EEO to engage with the needs of LGBT employees. We are proud to partner with DCA to launch Pride in Diversity, Australia's first employer program that will help organisations in this respect," says Dawn.
Call DCA on (02) 9035 2852 for more information on this program or for assistance on any aspect of your diversity strategies and programs in 2010.