International Outreach

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander International Engagement Organisation (ATSIIEO) has successfully begun its foray into the international sphere in advocacy of Indigenous responses to climate change and global sustainability. From the ATSIIEO National Council Jack Collard was in attendance at COP27 at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt to address the international community. Providing a First Nations perspective on the current global trajectory as well as our current action on climate change and environmental sustainability. The input of Indigenous peoples within International frameworks has never been more critical as their knowledge, governance systems and methods are what is required to ensure a sustainable and balanced future on earth.

Mr Collard as a Whadjuk Noongar man not only had the honour to be asked to open the session with his global Indigenous counterparts but also was asked to speak on several forums and meet with dignitaries and global leaders. His passion and commitment to First Nations empowerment and protection of sacred earth ensured that his message was one of impact and substance as he called on nations and indeed the Australian state to do more in addressing these global challenges.

The strength in these forums lies not only in addressing a room of world leaders but in the connections one makes on the sidelines of these events. These international connections allow greater pathways and developments to flourish and push forward with action when government pace moves at the speed of moss.

The international networks and connections which Mr Collard have brought back have now enabled ATSIIEO to begin collaborating on an international level and begin coordinating action across borders. The movement towards First Nations self-determination and pressing forward with its own representation on the international stage, the decentralisation of international diplomacy and the collective steps of the global community towards climate action are significant strides. With ATSIIEO having upcoming engagements into China, Mongolia, United Kingdom, Cuba, Columbia, India Venezuela, PNG and Fiji.

" ATSIIEO Chair Jesse T has been asked to undertake a 6 week fellowship in Geneva in June to begin the process of integrating ATSIIEO with United Nations frameworks, so the future is looking bright. However as an organisation we need to ensure that engagement goes beyond the conventional rhetoric and goodwill gestures; the work they are doing now ‘plants the seeds for others to come and one day sit in the shade of these’." - Dr Lokes Brooksbank

Dr Brooksbank stated that ATSIIEO would like to thank the continued support from The Cairns Institute and looks forward to delivering future lectures or talks on topic they have covered on the international stage. Watch this space, ATSIIEO is indeed on the march!