International Development
Arts Access Australia is seeking support to demonstrate the impact of utilising creative approaches to achieve development outcomes in priority areas including health, education and poverty reduction. The longer term goal is to embed arts and cultural practice into Ausaid programs and country strategies.
The 2006 White Paper on the Australian Government’s Aid Program is a significant opportunity for Australian Non-Government Organisations to contribute to the development program over the next ten years. In addition to supporting untied aid, and increasingly seeking to work in partnership with developing countries, the White Paper also proposes opening up AusAID funding to community based organisations without accreditation.
In November 2008, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Mr Bob McMullan, launched Development for All: Towards a disability-inclusive Australian aid program 2009-2014, publicly committing the Australian Government to ensuring that people with disability are comprehensively included and supported in improving their quality of life through all aspects of the aid program.
Cultural activities appear in the Australian Aid program, like Wan Smolbag Theatre Company in Vanuatu and youth ambassadors, though they are scattered without coherent linkages to AusAID priorities.
Supporting culture and international development will also increase the effectiveness of Australia’s aid program and add to the established body of international culture and development practice supported by donor countries.
Uses of the Arts and Culture in Development
* HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
* Disability awareness and prevention
* Mental health promotion
* Domestic violence prevention
* Child and maternal health
* Literacy
* Economic development
* Building civil society
* Conflict resolution
* Sustainable development and environmental issues
* Supporting cultural diversity and heritage
Arts Access Australia ran a pilot project in East Timor in 2005 - Hamutuk (Connections) East Timor Australia arts and disability cultural exchange. In 2008 Arts Access Australia is investigating possible follow up activities and is currently developing sponsorship opportunities and Australian Youth Ambassador for Development placements for 2009 and 2010.
Through our work Arts Access Australia is aware of other organisations working across disability, culture and development including:
AsiaLink
Australian Disability and Development Coalition
Creative Exchange UK
Creative Development e-list
Asia Pacific Islands Disability Support (APIDS)
Nossal Institute for Global Health
Centre for International Mental Health
National Disability Services International Development Project Officer - Margaret Gadd
Phone: 0414 884 913
Email: mgadd@adam.com.au
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