IDEA Pledge

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which the KOALA 2024 team operates, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

The KOALA conference is a student only conference dedicated to promoting a sense of belonging for every individual with different talents, identities and beliefs. We aim to foster an inclusive culture by identifying and removing barriers (e.g. physical, psychological, procedural, visible, invisible, intentional, unintentional) that prevents everyone’s participation and contribution. We try our best to demonstrate the values and principles of fairness, justice, equity, and respect, by being open to different voices and perspectives, developing an understanding of different cultures, experiences and communities, and making a conscious effort to be welcoming, helpful, and respectful to everyone.

We embrace the differences individuals bring to the KOALA Conference. We recognize that diversity encompasses a wide range of characteristics, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity, and cultural background. To have a truly diverse event requires an inherent commitment, demonstrated through actions, that recognises and values these differences.

KOALA gives fair and just treatment for all potential conference attendees through the creation of opportunities to address the historical and systemic inequalities that have created barriers for marginalised and underrepresented groups. We hope to utilise these opportunities to promote IDEA to all participants. Equity requires an intentional commitment to strategic priorities, resources and respect, and ongoing action and assessment of progress towards achieving specified goals.

KOALA strives to foster attitudes, behaviours, and procedures to facilitate access that promotes equity and diversity. We strive to ensure that our physical spaces, digital platforms, programs, and services are accessible to everyone to maximise their participation during the KOALA Conference.