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Indigenous, business, government, community and academic leaders from around Australia are meeting at The University of Western Australia today to discuss sustainable economic opportunities in Indigenous communities.

The Indigenous Business, Corporations and Entrepreneurship Conference 2011 is the inaugural annual conference hosted by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) within UWA's Business School.

The Dean of UWA's Business School, Winthrop Professor Phillip Dolan, said the role of Indigenous business and entrepreneurship in shaping Australia's regional growth was of significant importance and required greater understanding.

In its first 12 months of operation, the CSI had made a strong contribution to research, community engagement and capacity building within government, business and not-for-profit sectors, Professor Dolan said.

The Centre is undertaking a number of research projects into Indigenous housing, homelessness, employment and enterprise, and these topics will be included in today's conference.

Themed "New Models and Stronger Communities", the conference will feature discussions about creative partnerships in the resource sector, Native Title Agreements, micro-finance, housing corporations and partnerships, art, tourism and education, and social and health outcomes.  It will include case studies on Indigenous businesses in action and research projects.

CSI Director and Chair of Social Investment and Impact, Professor Paul Flat au, said the unique conference would canvass Indigenous empowerment from several different angles.

Speakers include: Wayne Bergmann, CEO Kimberley Regional Economic Development Corporation (Enterprises); Ian Trust, Executive Chairman Wunan Foundation and Director Indigenous Business Australia; Natalie Walker, CEO Australian Indigenous Minority Suppliers Council; Winthrop Professor Cristina Gibson, Management and Organisations UWA Business School; David Bagheri, National Business Development Manager Many Rivers Microfinance; Dr Boyd Hunter, Senior Fellow Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, ANU; and Shane Hamilton, WA State Manager Community Housing Ltd.

Media references

Sonia Nolan , Community Engagement and  (+61 8)  6488 8562  /  (+61 4) 01 034 103
Corporate Affairs Manager, Centre for Social Impact
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783