The MAAPD (Indigenous Policy) will provide an understanding of the principal ways in which an understanding of indigenous issues and approaches to participatory processes can be applied to the development of indigenous policy and development activities with indigenous communities. Particular emphasis will be placed on the problems of combining Indigenous perspectives and participatory practices with other forms of technical expertise in policy and development work.

Graduates of the Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development (MAAPD Indigenous Policy) program will have the knowledge and skills to:

• understand the history of Indigenous policy and its implications for Indigenous peoples in remote Australia;
• be able to apply Indigenous views and approaches to the development of Indigenous policy and development activities with Indigenous communities;
• gain an understanding of trends and changes in development theory and practice as they apply to Indigenous development processes;
• apply critical social inquiry and participatory processes to the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Indigenous development activities;
• undertake social assessments and integrate social perspectives and participatory practices with other forms of technical expertise in Indigenous development work;
• advise on the development policy processes of NGOs, the private sector, and government agencies to ensure the inclusion of local Indigenous and community perspectives.

Who should do the MAAPD (Indigenous) program

The MAAPD (Indigenous Policy) program is designed for those who have developed an interest in the application of anthropology's critical methods and styles to social issues in indigenous development.

It is designed for people working in indigenous organisations, government, non-government organisations, and as independent consultants, who wish to develop their Indigenous expertise in development work by pursuing a professional program, in which they can be mentored by indigenous policy experts.

On completion of the program MAAPD (Indigenous Policy) graduates will be better able to contribute to indigenous policy development and programs.

The MAAPD (Indigenous Policy) provides opportunity to be trained by, and engage with, staff from the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), Australia's leading centre researching Indigenous economic and social policy issues. The core required course is taught by most academics staff at CAEPR. In addition it is anticipated that by undertaking 'special projects', students will have the opportunity to undertake a negotiated applied research project at CAEPR in collaboration with a staff member in the full range of topics in which CAEPR has resident expertise (see http://www.anu.edu.au/caepr/).

MAAPD (Indigenous Policy ) is currently available on-campus at either a full-time or part-time intensity - 2 semesters full time, 3 - 4 semesters part time. There are also distance-education delivery options available. Any of the courses offered can be taken as Non Award Courses.