IM4DC hosted an Alumni Forum on 29 April 2015 in Perth, Western Australia.
Discussions explored topics under the over-arching theme, ‘Shared goals – realising benefits’.
Alumni Representative, Patricia Musingura Nduru, Director Monitoring and Inspection, Uganda Human Rights Commission, gave the opening remarks. Patricia challenged alumni to become “future leaders not content with the status quo” as she emphasised the importance of human rights in relation to mining. She referred to the “countless IM4DC alumni initiatives” as “consistent drops that will inevitably cause a ripple of change” with the potential to ultimately influence policy, legislation and implementation.
Patricia said the Alumni Forum provided an opportunity to engage with those who determine the course of the mining industry and she reiterated the power of collaboration to bring about change.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Marcia Langton, one of Australia’s foremost indigenous scholars and thought-leaders, and Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at The University of Melbourne. Marcia spoke of the journey of collaborative engagement and much improved relationships between the minerals industry and indigenous communities.
Speakers, panellists, interactive workshops and discussion sessions challenged the audience to work towards common goals in mining and development despite cultural, geographic and sectoral differences. The sub-themes of engage, develop, empower and influence and the cross-cutting theme of gender equality were used to share strategies and approaches designed to deliver transformational change in the way in which minerals and energy activities are governed and development benefits are realised.
Some 60 IM4DC alumni participated in the Forum.
Alumni were joined by representatives from government, academia, NGOs and industry at the Networking dinner, ‘Share a Taste of Australia’. Guests enjoyed an Aussie barbeque, views from the deck of the Royal Perth Yacht Club and a performance of music, dance and storytelling from The Wadumbah Dance Group showcasing the Bibullmun culture.