Media Release

Dunstan's social justice legacy still the focus

Youth homelessness, Aboriginal employment and sex discrimination will be the focus of the Don Dunstan Foundation [1]'s new strategic plan to be announced at the University of Adelaide this Friday 30 April.

The Foundation's projects for 2010-2012 will be unveiled at a ceremony on the North Terrace Campus, where outgoing Trustees Chair, the Hon. Greg Crafter [2], will be farewelled after 10 years in the role.

He will be replaced by the Hon. Lynn Arnold [3] AO, Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare SA [4].

Over the next three years, the Don Dunstan Foundation (DDF) will undertake projects in the following areas:

• Aboriginal employment;
  
• Refugee settlement;
  
• Youth and young parent homelessness;
  
• Climate change and its impact on Australia's most vulnerable people;
  
• Inspiring young people to improve the lives of the disadvantaged.

DDF Executive Director Claire Bossley says this year the Foundation will also commemorate the 35th anniversary of the passing of Australia's first Equal Opportunity legislation.

"This year we will be highlighting the progress - or otherwise - of this legislation. It's been more than three decades since the legislation was passed but progress has been disappointing and equal opportunity is still a long way off," Ms Bossley says.

Other DDF events scheduled for 2010 include:

• The Lowitja O'Donoghue [5] Oration on 2 June, featuring well known media personality and reconciliation advocate Ray Martin AM [6];
  
• Dunstan Dialogue sessions focused on biodiversity and social justice;
  
• A Leadership Dialogue panel in October chaired by ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams [7] AO discussing the rise and impact of social media;
  
• Human Rights Oration in November.

The Don Dunstan Foundation was established in 1999 and aims to promote visionary and progressive leadership and thinking within government and the private sector in South Australia, by furthering debate and action on key public policy issues.

The Foundation is located at the University of Adelaide and is also supported by Flinders University [8].

[11]

Don Dunstan was Premier of South Australia from 1967-68 and again from 1970-1979.
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[13]

The Hon. Lynn Arnold AO, incoming chair of the Don Dunstan Foundation Trustees.
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