Exchanging Ideas Conferences
The Judicial Commission organised an “Exchanging Ideas Conference” in 2009 and a follow up “Exchanging Ideas II Conference” in 2011 to bring together judicial officers from all levels of the courts and Aboriginal community members from across New South Wales to discuss a diverse range of matters relating to Aboriginal cultural, social and legal issues. These two-day residential programs provided an important opportunity for social and professional interaction between judicial officers and Aboriginal community members, and some insights into Aboriginal culture. Both conferences provided a unique opportunity for a discussion of the ways judicial officers may contribute to the just treatment of Aboriginal people in the court system. The conferences highlighted the need for judicial engagement with Aboriginal communities in order to transform judicial values and attitudes, as well as the attitudes of community members. The Ngara Yura Committee organised both conferences with the generous support of the National Judicial College of Australia.
Reports on the two Exchanging Ideas Conferences published in the Judicial Officers’ Bulletin
- Exchanging ideas about Aboriginal contact with the criminal justice system (Exchanging Ideas Conference II, September 2011) (PDF 3MB): The conference was structured around two interwoven themes: contemporary social issues which impact on Aboriginal communities, and contemporary legal matters arising from these issues.
- Lighting the way forward: respect, responsibility, engagement, diversity, local solutions (Exchanging Ideas Conference, May 2009) (PDF 5MB): The conference provided the context for Aboriginal incarceration, discussed problems in custody for Aboriginal prisoners, and canvassed strategies for effective post-custody supervision, rehabilitation, mentoring or diversion.
