Led by leading researchers with extensive experience working with both national and state jurisdictions, each course will explore the challenges involved in developing policy in a federal system. Participants will be introduced to:

• methods that highlight policy-limiting path dependencies,
• conceptual systems for thinking about future scenarios,
• stakeholder and discourse analysis,
• equity and ethical dimensions of NRM issues that bring together diverse community interests and multiple levels of government,
• the complexities involved in policy-research relationships,
• best practice principles for the management of consultancies,
• strategies for integrating monitoring and auditing into management programs,
• community consultation processes,
• ways to maximise efficient participation in inter-government and interagency working groups,
• regulatory frameworks,
• international treaties and agreements relevant to the subject of the day.

Consideration will also be given to the treatment of NRM in countries with similar cultures and political systems such as Europe and North America.

How does it work?

The AREPC program is made up of 10 one-day courses focused on introducing approaches and skills relevant to NRM in Australia. Each day will focus on a different topic central to NRM. Participants are able to enrol in the full 10 day program or attend individual one-day courses as a stand-alone option.

Each course day is taught by an expert in the field and may include guest speakers. Participants are encouraged to learn through short presentations, video, audio and print interviews and discussions. Participants may also receive pre and post reading, where appropriate.

The 10 course day topics will be selected from the list below:

1. Great Barrier Reef – from the paddock to planetary boundaries
2. Geoengineering – policy potential and pitfalls
3. Biodiversity on farms – stewardship vs private land conservation vs regulation
4. Horse racing - who is responsible for what?
5. Achieving (more and better) practice change in NRM
6. Coastal communities and fisheries reform – what is ‘fair’?
7. Soils: Erosion is for life
8. Land use and climate change
9. Waste – from the logistical to the moral
10. Beyond Native Title - Aboriginal Water Rights
11. Climate Change and engineered Rivers - comparing the Murray-Darling, Colorado, Rhine and Yellow rivers
12. Eco Cultural tourism – the role of governments?

Learning outcomes:

Include enhanced capacity to:

1. understand the policy challenges created by complex NRM issues including ethical and moral dimensions
2. take a whole-of-government approach to major NRM issues
3. develop practical policy options whose implementation would involve different levels of government, multiple agencies and diverse community interests.
4. work with communities
5. cooperate with researchers
6. manage NRM related contracts, and
7. operate effectively in interagency and inter-government working groups

Who should attend?

• federal and state government middle level public servants,
• NGO staff
• researchers wanting to increase their understanding of policy processes
• relevant industry stakeholder groups depending on the issue

No prior experience/knowledge required to attend.