2017-05-01
Alex Schlotzer
To make sure we're doing something proactive about diversity, we signed off on the establishment of the national Multicultural Committee to coordinate and work with other like groups in the Greens to continue to challenge racism in our community and build stronger relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. They'll also play an important role in ensuring that the Greens continue to encourage and embrace diversity in our membership plus supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to attend national conferences.
We have also recognised that we can do more to support and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attend national conferences. That's why the National Council established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grant fund in 2016 in recognition of the fact that the cost of traveling to national conferences can be prohibitive preventing ATSI people attending national conferences.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grant fund is an ongoing fund that we want to continue to grow so we're able to support more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending national conferences into the future. Since the Greens don't accept corporate donations, this fund relies entirely on the generosity of people like you who want a fairer, greener Australia for everyone.
And while we've only been able to support a couple of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attend national conferences so far, we're confident we'll be able to support more people in the future. But to do it we need your contributions.
Just like all of the projects the Australian Greens run, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grant fund relies entirely on the generosity of people like you. Help us make sure that there are more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at Conference by donating what you can.
It's the people that make the Australian Greens an exciting, growing political movement and force. But to make sure we continue to be a growing political movement and force we must improve the diversity of voices at national conferences. — Alex Schlotzer
What's it like?
My name is Lisa and I've been a member of the Greens for a couple of years now. I joined the Greens because they believe in the same things I believe in: looking after the planet and making sure all of the people living on it have enough so they can enjoy a good life, free from war and poverty, and that they can have a say in what matters to them.
I have been to a couple of National Conferences: Adelaide and Melbourne. What I have most enjoyed is all the great people I have met and the things that I have learned. And surprisingly I've been more than happy to pay the full price to attend Conference (even though I'm an artist and do not earn a lot of money) because I know that the Greens do not get the same donations as the other parties and I reckon that is definitely worth supporting.
At every conference there are different workshops devoted to different issues and proposals. Things like fundraising, facilitation skills, public speaking, campaigning and learning about systems needed to organise volunteers, how to have meaningful conversations when campaigning and good decision-making. I've caught up with the diverse group of people that are Multicultural Greens and talked about issues affecting us all. But I know that us Blackfullas cannot be categorised as Multicultural because we have been here forever. We are an invaded people and our issues are unique and we need to talk together separately about issues that are important and very specific to us. And that is why I am hoping that more Blackfullas join the Greens so we can all work together and bring a stronger voice to the party.
At conference there are always thought provoking panels & discussions. In Adelaide there was one on Recognise and the questions of constitutional recognition, which was very informative and of great interest to everyone who attended. There were also workshops covering technology, housing, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and the so-called budget emergency.
The tea breaks and lunch break can be used as an opportunity to meet other people, get some fresh air or just enjoy the yummy catering.
The evenings usually bring another networking opportunity and a time to relax and enjoy the local food and drinks. There are always lots of suggestions on where to go out after and meet up.
National Conference always includes an address to the members from the Parliamentary Party Leader followed by a session with all of our Federal Members of Parliament where they tell us what they've been up to while giving us an opportunity to ask them questions.
As an Observer, I was able to participate in policy workshops and also watched as Delegates to Conference made final decisions on policies that had already been through the member-driven process. It is fascinating listening to and watching how the decision-making process works. It amazes me how well people work together to reach consensus on what sometimes looked like really complicated issues. And while I'm not a delegate, I've been able to get involved in other workshops and discussions on the big issues facing our country and world.
If you haven't been to a national conference then you're missing out.