National Indigenous Corporate Network to discuss indigenous employment

A gathering this week of high-flying indigenous business people will cement a support network that has been gaining steam over the past year.

The National Indigenous Corporate Network will meet in Sydney on Thursday for panel discussions on indigenous success stories, workplace diversity and the “importance of indigenous employment in the corporate sector”.

The event is exclusive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisers expect 60 people to attend.

Organisers say they hope the event will be held annually and visit other states.

Diversity Council chief executive Nareen Young spoke to SmartCompany as she was boarding a plane to Cairns, ahead of attending the event tomorrow.

“I think having this network is particularly important. Women have built up networks over the last five or so years. We think this network holds the key place in moving forward,” she said.

She said she was convening a panel discussion on workplace diversity and the role of indigeneity.

Broadcaster for Channel Seven, CNN and NITV Stan Grant will also speak about the role of indigenous people in public life.

Conference attendees are not members of indigenous corporations but are in the mainstream business community.

“All of them have made the choice to work in the mainstream of the Australian community,” she said.