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Deakin University has continued its pursuit of strong Indigenous representation within the accounting industry, with an upcoming conference set to explore the ways in which diversity and equality can be achieved.
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Indigenous accounting and business firmly in the spotlight
11 August 2016
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9 minute read
Dr Luisa Lombardi, senior lecturer at Deakin University’s department of accounting, told AccountantsDaily that there have been ongoing efforts in the pursuit of Indigenous accounting representation since the university’s first annual Indigenous Accounting and Business Conference, held in late 2015.
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“The Deakin Business School conference was originally established as a forum for business owners and leaders, finance professionals, researchers and policymakers to share information and knowledge that addresses the impact of financial skills and their role in Indigenous success,” said Dr Lombardi.
She made specific reference to PwC consultant Gresham Congoo as an indication of the positive direction in which Indigenous representation is heading, with Mr Congoo becoming the 30th Indigenous Australian to receive a professional accounting designation.
As Deakin University prepares to hold the second annual Indigenous Accounting and Business Conference, on October 26 and 27 in Geelong, Dr Lombardi reflected on integral feedback obtained from the inaugural event.
“The feedback from delegates highlighted their positive experiences and interactions,” said Dr Lombardi.
“Comments included the valuable and encouraging interaction with Australian and international Indigenous peoples, including countries such as New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Some delegates also commented that as an Indigenous accountant, they now feel valued and supported for the journey they have taken to become a member of the accounting profession.”
“Overall, it was viewed as an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the issues and success factors in the context of Indigenous business,” Dr Lombardi added.
The 2016 conference will focus on the theme of ‘cultural inclusion in business’, with sessions covering topics such as:
- Indigenous businesses – national and international
- Government initiatives and outcomes
- The professions: embedding of cultural knowledge
- Embedding culture in business
- The perspectives of Indigenous business students
- Indigenous not-for-profit organisations
- The role of financial literacy in Indigenous communities
- Supporting Indigenous employment in the field of business
The 2016 conference will include keynote speakers Mick Gooda, former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner; Laura Berry, chief executive officer of Supply Nation; Professor Mark Rose, chair/chancellor of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and executive director of Indigenous strategy and education at La Trobe University; and Amanda Young, chief executive officer of the First Nations Foundation.
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