Leadership and Governance Program

Cultural and linguistic diversity brings great benefits to boards and committees. However, there is a large pool of talent within our multicultural community that is largely untapped.

The Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) Leadership and Governance Program seeks to encourage greater representation on public, private or not-for-profit sector boards and committees. The program aims to:

build the capacity of CaLD community members
equip members of CaLD communities with information, knowledge and skills to enable them to apply for and participate on relevant boards and committees
facilitate engagement of CaLD communities in government decision-making processes.

The program is made up of three components:

a four-day governance training program based on the OMI publication Diversifying boards: Your cultural advantage
a three-hour mentoring training and orientation session based on the OMI publication Stepping Up to the Challenge–Mentoring Resource Handbook
a 12-month mentoring program to support graduates of the governance training program

‘Diversifying Boards—Your cultural advantage’ Governance Training Program

This program will assist participants to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to nominate for public and private sector boards and committees, and to participate fully in civic life as leaders and active citizens in Australian society.

The program can help you assess your board readiness and learn about how to pursue a board role. It includes information about boards, what being a board member involves and resources that you can access to help you on your journey to board membership.

‘Stepping Up to the Challenge’ Mentoring Program

This program is an important adjunct to the governance training program. It is designed to support those who seek to realise their full potential and, importantly, to step up to an active board position, whether it be in the public, corporate or not-for-profit sector.