Human Rights Law Centre: First Nations Impact Area
Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC)
Who funded the project
The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) engaged Karabena Consulting to assess how its work in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination can be strengthened through enhanced governance and power-sharing with First Nations partners.
Using a mixed-methods approach, Karabena Consulting conducted document analysis and stakeholder interviews, engaging HRLC staff, board members, and partner organisations.
The findings highlighted HRLC’s role in three critical areas: human rights advocacy, amplifying Aboriginal voices, and bolstering the capacity of Aboriginal-led organisations.
These insights provided actionable recommendations for reinforcing the HRLC’s support for First Nations governance and self-determination.
Summary
The project aimed to strengthen HRLC’s alignment with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance by ensuring its work:
aligns with partners' strategic objectives
maintains sufficient Indigenous oversight
optimally applies resources
minimises undue burdens, and
supports future Indigenous staff through inclusive workplace practices and policies.
Project Aims
Karabena conducted primary research gathering qualitative data through individual interviews with a range of stakeholders. It also engaged in secondary research through a rapid review of HRLC documentation.
Key elements included:
Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions
One-on-one interviews conducted via Zoom or phone with:
HRLC staff and board members
External partner organisations, and
First Nations stakeholders
Document analysis of HRLC’s existing policies, governance structures, and strategic plans
Inductive thematic analysis of all collected data.
These methods fostered a respectful, inclusive process, upholding the integrity and cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants throughout the consultations.
Methodologies
The key outputs of this project were:
a comprehensive review of internal HRLC documentation
a presentation to the HRLC leadership group
the Human Rights Law Centre: Review of the First Nations Impact Area report.
The report provided targeted recommendations for aligning the Centre’s work with its strategic aims, focusing on effective governance, resource application, and strengthening culturally respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Outputs
The recommendations from the report are under review by HRLC and include:
Renewed governance structures involving advisory councils and formal partnerships with external organisations, all supported by formal agreements.
Robust internal systems, processes, and communication strategies that are aligned with ethical commitments to stakeholders.
Stronger and more transparent relationships with partner organisations.
Comprehensive mentorship, training, and leadership development opportunities for employees.
Project Outcomes
#Self-determination #CulturalSafety
#FirstNations #AboriginalJustice #CommunityEngagement #HumanRightsAdvocacy #AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderRights #CriminalJusticeReform #Indigenous #SocialJusticeInitiatives