The Indigenous Focus Day (IFD) is a dedicated invite only event hosted by First Nations Media Australia (formerly Indigenous Remote Communications Association), with support from Broadband for the Bush Alliance (B4BA). It is a forum for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to share experiences and ideas about the potential of internet connectivity and digital tools for themselves, their families and communities.
The IFD is a unique forum for First Nations people to discuss their digital inclusion needs and challenges at a local level and provide input into policy needs at a state and national level. The aim is to develop tangible recommendations to take to government and industry to improve digital access, affordability, skills and opportunities for remote Indigenous Australians.
The day will include presentations and case studies by inspiring speakers from across remote and regional Australia. This will provide the background for group discussions on the obstacles to digital inclusion, innovative solutions and strategies to improve local access and affordability, and policy recommendations.
The previous IFDs resulted in a policy proposal for Indigenous Digital Inclusion to become a Closing the Gap measure and the development of a 6-part Digital Inclusion program. Following the Australian Government’s commitment in early 2019 to establish an Indigenous Digital Inclusion Plan, this year’s IFD provides an ideal forum to develop recommendations towards that Plan. The Indigenous Focus Day has been held since 2013 as a dedicated forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to talk about their digital inclusion needs and challenges prior to the annual Broadband for the Bush Forum. While the Broadband for the Bush Forum is not continuing in 2019, the Indigenous Focus Day will continue as an important day of knowledge sharing and collective voice.
The Indigenous Focus Day took place on 27 June, 2019 - followed by a showcase event. An overview of outcomes for the day, including a Policy Action Plan developed, is available in the event Communique here.