...about the Forum

The 2007 event is the 3rd  National Cultural Collaborations Forum. The Forum was initiated by Dr Jeannie Herbert in 2004 in her role as Chair - Indigenous Australian Studies at James Cook University. Jeannie is now Director, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. It has been Jeannie's vision to create an inclusive and challenging annual event that motivates those people who influence their workplace culture to learn more about diversity and how understanding and respecting diversity can benefit the workplace and drive the bottom line. _____________________________________________________________________

This is the 3rd Cultural Collaborations Forum and having previously explored themes dealing with the importance of self-awareness and communication in addressing cultural diversity in the Australian workplace, it is time to consider the culture of our workplaces.  Research suggests that the organisational climate of a work environment has a major influence on the well-being of employees.  The theme for the 2007 forum - "Negotiating Space for Cultural Diversity" - will provide participants with an opportunity to focus on the reality of what goes on in Australian workplaces, whose voices is heard...Whose message is understood? The theme of this year's Forum reflects the significance of the Australian Government's continuing focus on the need for organisations, within both the public and private sectors, to address issues of diversity as a key element in enabling Australians to develop the capacity to operate effectively as modern citizens, within a globalised environment. It is important to acknowledge the impact of external influences upon modern Australian workplaces in particular the way in which political and social policy agendas have become increasingly intrusive in all aspects of peoples' lives.  This is evident in the workplace where employees increasingly bring their personal issues into their working lives and expect their employers to cater for their private needs as well as their workplace needs, thus blurring the lines between what were previously well-defined differences between people's working and private lives. Many employees, from a diversity of backgrounds, have experienced massive workplace changes during their working lives and many of these people would argue that modern Australian workplaces are the safest that they have ever been.  Yet, we have only to consider the rises in workers compensation claims, the number of employees taking stress leave and the low staff morale to know that all is not well in the modern workplace.  Research shows how significantly these behaviours can impact upon productivity and just how costly they can be for business. The Chair of the Organising Committee and initiator of the Forum, Dr Jeannie Herbert, invites those who influence their workplace culture to participate in this unique event. Challenging Keynote speakers and the opportunity to interact with colleagues in a dynamic and informative exchange of ideas and experiences, while enhancing your knowledge of diversity, will also reveal how understanding and respecting diversity can benefit the workplace and drive the triple bottom line.