professor mick dodson am

Public Engagement

professor dodson in discussion at the two fires festival

Sunday 29 March 2009, Braidwood 9:30am - 11:00am

After the Apology

Professor Mick Dodson at the national Press club

17 February 2009, Canberra

At the invitation of the National Press Club, Professor Dodson spoke of his sincere hope that by Australia Day 2010 every Australian child would be geared up for school. He entreated every Australian - individuals, communities, educationalists, politicians, children, the media - to take personal responsibility for effecting this change and achieve what is a human right for all Australian children. He also advocated an inclusive approach in education towards Indigenous history and Indigenous culture, a culture that the nation could take pride in as the world's oldest and most enduring people. Reconciliation, he said, would be achieved by actions that were simultaneously practical and symbolic and he disputed any distinction between the two as false.

During the coming year as Australian of the Year, Professor Dodson said he would focus on education and committed to personally visit and consult with school, find and publicise pedagogic successes and work with colleagues to institute the Australian National University Reconciliation Action Plan including its equitable initiatives to create an educational environment that offers the best chance of success at education and research.

The speech was screened on ABC TV at 12:30pm on Wednesday 18 February 2009.

Read or listen to part of his speech. Below are selected media reports:

- Canberra Times

- The Age

- Media Release by Northern Territory Chief Minister & Minister for Education 18 February 2009.