DUI 2009 was attended by 120 people from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA. The Institute mirrored the Toronto Summer Institute by being very inclusive of the knowledge held by the participants. A New Zealand flavour was provided by using traditional Maori protocol and having kaumatua assist with the planning and facilitation of the event. Kiwi hospitality was provided and guests were encouraged to explore the city of Hamilton. The event was a success and a large number of participants indicated an interest in attending future DUI events.
The first Down Under Institute (DUI) was held in Hamilton, February 2009, hosted by Interactionz in association with Disability Resource Centre Hawkes Bay Trust (DRCHB). This event was inspired through attending the Toronto Summer Institute and experiencing, first hand, the value in providing community with a forum for dialogue around the subjects of inclusion, diversity and community strengthening. It’s envisioned that DUI events will be hosted annually, split two-yearly between Hamilton NZ and venues in Australia – hence the name ‘Down Under’ for this southern hemisphere collaboration.
DUI 2009 in Hamilton, New Zealand, was attended by 120 people from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA. Read more
DUI 2010 in Lismore, NSW Australia, was attended by 150 people from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Read more
DUI 2011, planned for February, was cancelled in Dec 2010 due to low registrations, pointing to the global recession still hitting hard particularly in community sectors.
DUI 2012 is planned to be hosted in Sydney, Australia.
DUI Community: The most important part of the Down Under Institute is the community created while participants are together. Like any community, it takes many people in a wide variety of roles to help it thrive. Cultural advisers and others facilitate cultural contributions throughout the event. Many people contribute as facilitators, reflecting their unique gifts, skills, passions, and experiences. There are an array of hosts to offer hospitality. Leadership comes from throughout the room; responsibilities of management are clear to ensure the event runs smoothly. It is expected that everyone present contributes to the ceremonies, the conversations, and to the ultimate success of DUI. This makes DUI unique – as much a learning forum as a conference, with a difference that has the potential for significant personal and professional ‘shift’.
DUI Format: Down Under Institute is quite a different learning experience. While there are some themes, practices and content introduced and facilitated by key contributors, much of the content unfolds as a result of conversations that the community has throughout the week. As a participant, there are daily opportunities to choose area(s) to focus on, to deepen understanding and personal practices. DUI embraces the knowledge and collective wisdom of all participants. This happens through contributing stories, questions, thoughts and aspirations. There are a variety of learning forums and processes used throughout the week to invite and facilitate this sharing of knowledge.
Who should attend DUI? Down Under Institute brings together all sectors of community to discuss themes of inclusion, diversity and community strengthening. Past participants have included educators, community development workers, human services managers, environmental activists, youth leaders, health promotion workers, family members, advocates, students of all ages, literacy workers, social workers, therapists, adult educators, workers of all kinds. If you are a community member, then you should attend DUI.
Can I attend just part of DUI? Sorry no. DUI is an immersion experience, designed from beginning to end to provide participants what they need, both as individuals and as a group, to experience a rich and supportive learning experience.
Does it really start on Sunday? Yes. The activities on Sunday afternoon and evening set the stage and begin the DUI experience of forming a community for the week. This is where participants, as a community, shape what the experience of the week is to be and how they’ll work together to make it so. It’s vital to be part of this.
Can I get a more detailed course outline? With the design of DUI, there is a creative agenda built throughout the week. Your personal learning emerges from the choices you make among sessions offered by key contributors and offerings in the learning marketplace.
What should I bring? Most importantly, bring an open heart and mind to any DUI event. Be willing to offer your gifts of imagination, creativity, openness, honesty, courage, and compassion. Journalling of thoughts is encouraged throughout the week, so a personal journal can be useful for this. Comfortable clothes are recommended, and layers so that you can manage your own comfort in summer weather and an air conditioned environment.
DUI 2010 was held in Lismore NSW Australia 11-15 April, hosted by Multitask. 150 people attended from all around Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA.
The forum’s purpose was to create opportunities for full lives for all. It recognised that we cannot do this alone, and that we need to build and rebuild communities where we all belong, connect, contribute, and are full participating members. Those who attended DUI 2010 collaborated to understand, strengthen and create opportunities, recognising that citizenship is for everyone – where all means all – and where everyone’s gifts are welcomed and flourish.
DUI 2010 embraced the knowledge of both key speakers and participants and celebrated learning together. At the end of the event, participants left renewed, refreshed and re-energised to continue their work of strengthening community.
