We have achieved to date:

Leadership and participation in national and international mainstream health promotion conferences

The Network established standards for engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health professionals and communities in planning and organising conferences. Some of the standards included:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the Conference Organising Committee and principal working groups
• Indigenous plenary speakers, Indigenous presenters throughout the conference program, as well as a specific Indigenous stream
• An Indigenous space for conference delegates
• Scholarships for Indigenous delegates

All national health promotion conferences since 1995 have adopted these guidelines. Indigenous participation in the conferences has increased significantly.

The XVIIth World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education was held in Melbourne, Australia in April 2004 and for the first time in its 50 year history included strong Indigenous presence throughout – including the ceremonial program, the scientific program and the cultural and arts program.

The Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion

The Network, in collaboration with the School of Public Health, the Indigenous Studies Unit and the Australian Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Sydney, developed the curriculum and teaching program for the Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion.

More than 35 Indigenous students have graduated from the program which is taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous academics, including students who have graduated.

Partnerships with mainstream health organisations

The Network collaborated with the Health Advancement Standing Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council to conduct the 1996 national review of infrastructure supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health advancement. The Network, in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Health Promotion, identified case studies of effective Indigenous health promotion and prepared a report for the NHMRC.

Skills development for Indigenous Health Workers

This has been achieved in formal university settings and through culturally specific, tailored short courses.

Research

• The Network collaborated with the Australian Centre for Health Promotion to conduct a study of the support needs of Indigenous public health students across the country.
• Evaluation of health outreach programs
• Evaluation of Croc Fest.