Darwin, April 21st – 22nd, 2010
The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility
(NCCARF) is an initiative of the Australian Government that aims to
generate the biophysical, social and economic information needed by
decision-makers in government and in vulnerable sectors and
communities to manage the risks of climate change impacts. The
Facility, which was established in November 2007, is based at
Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus.
NCCARF has established a number of Adaptation Research Networks
to assist in the delivery of information that policy and
decision-makers need to determine climate change adaptation
strategies and actions.
One of these networks, the Adaptation Research Network for
Social, Economic and Institutional Dimensions (SEI-network) hosted
by The University of Melbourne, aims, among other things, to
understand and develop adaptation strategies for vulnerable
communities, especially Indigenous and remote communities. The
SEI-network has engaged NAILSMA to hold the Workshop.
Aims:
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To find out, within a facilitated workshop setting, what a cross
section of Indigenous people feel and know about Climate
Change
-
Build on previous Indigenous Climate Change workshop outcomes (2006
and 2008)
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To increase awareness about climate change issues (direct and
indirect), about Indigenous perceptions and to hear stories from a
cross section of experts
-
To have a look at how the consequences, impacts and opportunities
related to climate change, according to differing perspectives, can
be managed.
Objectives:
-
Share
perspectives, information, and stories from earlier Workshops, and
new stories from the bush relating to climate change between
workshop participants
-
Gain a
greater understanding about a broad spectrum of perceptions of
climate change and its consequences, including climate change
adaptation strategies, government responses and other activities
relevant to northern Australia
-
Discuss
elements of marginalisation of Indigenous people and look at
opportunities for Indigenous people to gain more control over their
lives including to develop informed inputs into local, regional,
national and international climate discussion as well as the
policies of NAILSMA and partners
-
Improve
consultation approaches about climate change in northern Australia
to include local language, traditional knowledge, beliefs, mores,
rights and interests, and awareness that assumptions about climate
change are not commonly held.
-
Record the
Indigenous responses, commentaries, perceptions and discussion for
the purposes of informing NAILSMA and partners’ about
Indigenous perceptions about climate related matters.
