Business for Millennium Development Position Statements

Indigenous Poverty Policy Statement

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were designed to tackle the problem of global disadvantage in areas of poverty, health and education. Because of the magnitude of these problems in the developing world, the MDGs do not include developed countries like Australia in their scope. Nevertheless, Business for Millennium Development recognises that relative poverty does exist in Australia, particularly in the case of some indigenous communities. In addition, key indicators reveal that some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities suffer equivalent sub-standard levels of health and wellbeing to those in the world's least developed countries.

For this reason, Business for Millennium Development believes that it must play a role in supporting the elimination of poverty and social disadvantage within Australia as well as in our region. Together with Government and the community sector, we believe that the business sector in Australia can make a significant contribution through applying core business skills and expertise to build social and economic capital in disadvantaged societies.

To assist the private sector in the implementation of core business initiatives, Business for Millennium Development will share best practice case studies and business models from around the world with local companies. We will also seek to facilitate the exchange of information by Australian companies who are running programs to eliminate poverty and disadvantage in indigenous communities. There is an opportunity to improve knowledge sharing between Australian companies on successful initiatives. This will have a dual benefit of improving development programs both within Australia as well as overseas.

1 - The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission, "Make Indigenous Poverty History".