Healthy country, healthy people: an Australian aboriginal organisation's adaptive governance to enhance its social-ecological system

Article

Maclean, Kirsten, Ross, Helen, Cuthill, Michael and Rist, Philip. 2013. "Healthy country, healthy people: an Australian aboriginal organisation's adaptive governance to enhance its social-ecological system." Geoforum. 45, pp. 94-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.10.005
Article Title

Healthy country, healthy people: an Australian aboriginal organisation's adaptive governance to enhance its social-ecological system

ERA Journal ID2011
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMaclean, Kirsten (Author), Ross, Helen (Author), Cuthill, Michael (Author) and Rist, Philip (Author)
Journal TitleGeoforum
Journal Citation45, pp. 94-105
Number of Pages12
Year2013
Place of PublicationOxford, United Kingdom
ISSN0016-7185
1872-9398
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.10.005
Abstract

Scholars and environmental managers of complex social-ecological systems (SESs) have called for new institutional models to facilitate adaptive governance. This paper explores one adaptive governance approach as used by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, an association of Australian Aboriginal groups in north-eastern Australia. Girringun uses this approach to translate customary obligations into sophisticated management actions that address the complex social, economic, land and sea management challenges encountered on its members' country. Its decision-making is informed by philosophies of 'caring for country' and 'healthy country, healthy people'. Girringun's strategies articulate cultural, social and livelihood development aspirations into environmental management, education and visual art projects and activities. Governance emphasises strong and visionary leadership, reconciliation, and strategic partnerships developed to expand its role as SES managers in co-operation with non-Aboriginal organisations. Girringun's innovative structure and creative strategies provide insight into adaptive governance of cross-cultural SES, where differing aspirations and institutional arrangements can be melded towards creative management opportunities.

Keywordsaboriginal; adaptive governance; Australia; cross-cultural; social-ecological systems
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020450199. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and history not elsewhere classified
350799. Strategy, management and organisational behaviour not elsewhere classified
440811. Political theory and political philosophy
Public Notes

© 2012 Elsevier Ltd. Published version deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Byline AffiliationsCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia
University of Queensland
Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Australia
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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