In 2021, the National Environmental and Community RD&E Strategy (NECBRDES) was developed through extensive stakeholder consultation and endorsed by the National Biosecurity Committee. It was acknowledged during the development process that the scope of the Strategy is broad, with 9 sectors included (See box below). It is critically important that all sectors included in the scope have an equal opportunity to set the RD&E priorities contained within the Strategy as well as contribute to and benefit from its implementation. For this reason, the Strategy requires the establishment of a cross-sector working group to assist primarily in:
- Setting and reviewing RD&E priorities
- Overseeing and contributing to the implementation of other strategic actions within the strategy, and
- Providing a link to RD&E providers, funders and recipients within the recognised sectors of the strategy.
More information on the Working group and roles and responsibility can be found in the Draft Terms of Reference available here.
The Working Group will meet a minimum of two times per year, with further meetings on an as-needs basis, with some out of session communication. The focus in early 2023 will be to agree to the research proprieties and discuss ways that we can promote the priorities and leverage funding.
We have developed an expressions of interest (EOI) process, from which membership for the working group will be selected. This ill ensure an equitable process is followed in selecting representation across all 9 strategy sectors. It is important that members are well connected within their sectors and can speak on behalf of the sector at meetings. There will be at least one representative per sector but could be more. There is also other interests and expertise such as indigenous Australians, biodiversity RD&E and the social sciences that may not be captured in one of the 9 sectors, but critical to be included in the conversation. We also invite participation for the areas.
If you are interested in being involved, please complete the EOI form by following this link – https://forms.office.com/r/FS6u9ir5Rp
We also encourage you to send this email to people or organisations both within and outside your sectors that you think may be interested or would make a valuable contribution to the working group.
EOIs close Friday, January 25 2023. Successful applicants will be notified in early February 2023. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of other ways to be involved in the process.
Please contact Matt Sheehan, NECBRDES National Coordinator (matt@wildmatters.com.au) if you have any questions.