Problem statement: Australians need non-partisan reliable information so that they can engage with Indigenous issues such when voting in the Australian First Nations Voice Referendum and addressing inequality in vulnerable communities.

Target group: All Australians – particularly voters.

Proposed solution: This is an initiative to address this issue by building civic engagement among the local community in the lead up to the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum (held 14th of October 2023), it’s outcome, and continuing engagement in Indigenous Voice education. The hub aims to educate and build awareness in a non-partisan manner, through a series of information sessions, about the legal, political and social contexts surrounding the referendum, it’s outcome, and continuing issues concerning Indigenous Australians (such as addressing inequality in vulnerable communities) to dispel prevalent mis- and dis-information about these topics.

Hub activities:

• 1 October 2023: Australian Indigenous Voice referendum announced to be held for the 14th of October 2023 - 2 October 2023 – 13 October 2023: The hub conducts public educational information sessions and ‘Voice’ conversations


• 14 October 2023: Australia votes on Indigenous Voice referendum with a resounding ‘No’ vote


• 15 October 2023 – 22 October: Participate in A Week of Silence called for by Indigenous leaders


• 22 October 2023 & beyond: Hub continues to conduct public educational information sessions and ‘Voice’ conversations, as well as partner with and connect/partner with Indigenous organisations to participate in further engagement activities

Short-term goals:

• To ensure that more young people vote in the referendum than would have if they didn't attend the sessions


• To ensure that more Australians are confident with understanding WHAT they are voting for, and can make an informed decision.


• To ensure stakeholders can combat dis/misinformation during 1-1 conversations (e.g. with their friends and family).


• To ensure stakeholders are well informed and can engage with Indigenous Australian issues

Long-term goals:

• Australians understand and engage with mechanisms designed to improve decisions, policies and laws that consider First Nations input on matters that affect them.


• Improved outcomes for First Nations peoples who are empowered and involved in the decision making process.

Available metrics:

• The number of sessions held.


• The number of people the project mobilised via the information sessions:
  
  
  • The number of participants.
  
  
  • The shift in participants confidence in their knowledge about the referendum, as measured by polls before and after the sessions.
  
  
  • The number of conversations had by session attendees about the referendum, 1 week after each session.
  
  
  • The shift in participants confidence in their knowledge about mechanisms designed to improve decisions, policies and laws that consider First Nations input on matters that affect them.
  
  
  
  


• The number of social media views/engagements/comments/reshares the campaign gains.

Project collaborators: Other Australian Global Shapers Hubs - Yes23 - Uluru Statement from the Heart - Let's Talk About Yes