Co-designing ways forward

Co-designing Ways Forward: Learning and Working Together to Improve Services and Systems

On 30 March, a half-day workshop, Co-designing Ways Forward: Learning and Working Together to Improve Services and Systems, was held, facilitated by Dana Shen, an experienced systems thinker and proud Ngarrindjeri woman.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors, Dana guided participants through the principles and practice of co-design, systems thinking and leadership, with a focus on creating meaningful and lasting change.

Grounded in the SA Public Sector’s Co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples principles, the session combined practical tools, reflection and hands-on activities. Participants explored real-world applications of co-design and worked collaboratively on their own projects in a supportive learning environment.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen capability and rethink how services and systems are designed in partnership with communities.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this engaging session.

Learn about our speakers

Dana Shen

Consulting
and Meditation

Dana is Aboriginal/Chinese and a descendant of the Ngarrindjeri people in South Australia and has a passion for working with Aboriginal people and communities.

Dana has over 20 years’ experience working across the public and not for profit sectors in the areas of health, families and child protection.

Dana went on to work in a number of senior roles with the SA public sector in which she had responsibility for program management, service delivery, policy development and strategic planning and worked with The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) where she held the role of Principal, Social Services, Systems & Aboriginal Policy and Director of the Family by Family program.

Dana’s current work includes supporting organisations to plan for the future and elevating the voices of living experience to make service and systemic change through co-design and other approaches.

In addition, Dana recently completed a two-year mindfulness meditation teacher’s course with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and is committed to making this accessible to organisations and communities in South Australia and bringing a strong First Nations and Ngarrindjeri lens to mindfulness practice.

Event brought to you by

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