On 23 March 2023 the Australian Government introduced the Constitution Alteration Bill into Parliament. The Bill is the latest step on the path to constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the establishment of a representative Voice to inform government and parliamentary decisions.

Whilst this process is historic in Australia it is by no means unprecedented. In almost all countries of Latin America Indigenous peoples are an important component of the total population (exceeding 45 million or 8.3% of the region’s population). Indigenous recognition and indigenous rights are reflected in distinctive ways in the Constitutions of those countries. It would make sense, therefore, to consider the processes, outcomes and lessons learned from their experiences.

Against this background the Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies (ANCLAS) and the First Nations Portfolio (FNP), supported by the Embassy of Ecuador, invite you to join them in the first of a series of conversations with experts from Latin American countries – beginning with the case of Ecuador. Speakers will make brief presentations during a panel discussion followed by a period of comment, questions and answers from panellists and the on-line audience.

Moderators
Noel Campbell (Director, Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies)
Bruce Gorring (Director, National Indigenous Business Development Hub, First Nations Portfolio, ANU)

Speakers
Nina Pacari (former Foreign Minister of Ecuador)
Mary Spiers Williams (Associate Dean, Indigenous Studies, ANU)

For further information:
Mary Spiers Williams - Biography
Text of Constitution of Ecuador
Media Release on the Constitution Alteration Bill