Meaningful Community Engagement
At Mayála, we honour meaningful engagement by grounding our values from the start, carrying forward the footsteps of ancestors and leaders
who cleared the way before us.
We embed the 'Five Rights Framework', developed by the Maningrida JET (Jobs Education & Training) Centre Board of Directors, into all engagement processes.
These rights guide us to create safe, responsive, and relational spaces where community voice and leadership are not just respected, but genuinly valued.
This approach supports protection against extractive or tokenistic practices, upholds placed-based, local authority, and strengthens pathways of
self-determination, care, and intergenerational continuity.
The “Five Rights” developed from a Community Governance Training program in Maningrida NT and were presented at the Garma Forum in 2004 by board & staff members of the, then, Maningrida JET Centre.
Below is a brief look into the 'Five Rights' framework
The Five Rights Framework
the Right people
The foundation of effective community engagement starts with identifying the right people.
the Right time
Community engagement should always align with community priorities and rhythms.
the Right place
Choosing a culturally appropriate and accessible location is key.
the Right Language
Clear, inclusive communication matters.
the Right way
Let the people of the place guide how things should be done
Disclaimer: Respecting Cultural and Creative Integrity
Mayála’s programs, workshops, and projects are one-of-a-kind blueprints - each thoughtfully designed through lived experience, collective knowledge, and years of grassroots practice.
These offerings are not generic models; they are living, breathing guides that reflect specific cultural, community, and relational contexts.
We respectfully ask that the essence, structure, or content of this work not be copied,
adapted, or reproduced without clear and formal permission.
Mayála welcomes genuine collaboration embedded in care, accountability, and integrity not appropriation. Please honour the depth and distinctiveness of this work by engaging with respect.