News

FPWNT Partnerships

Family Planning Welfare Association of NT (FPWNT) conduct a bi-annual Certificate in Sexual & Reproductive Health Course for Nurses in Darwin.

FPWNT in conjunction with the International Program at Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia (SH&FPA) continue to foster the international relationship between Timor Leste and Australia by offering and allocating two positions to Timorese Nurses as participants. This partnership is in its third year and the benefits have been enormous.

The Timorese nurses join with other nurses from across the NT in participating in an 8 day Sexual & Reproductive Health (theory) Course. The advantages of hosting the nurses comes with many benefits as it allows for the NT nurses to have an insight into some of the issues and conditions under which the Timorese work and allows many of them to think beyond their own circumstances. For the Timorese nurses it is evident with the assistance of interpreters that they benefit from a vast array of presentations and activities by guest speaker specialists from the Darwin Region.  A communication barrier is made easier by the use of translators through out the course.

Prior to arrival learning outcomes are discussed with the nurses by staff in the International programs who respectfully organize and plan the nurses travel. It is through means of written and oral feedback, evaluations and reports that we know that all outcomes are achieved.

The Timorese nurses have the opportunity to meet with many service providers in Darwin & rural areas, and often have the opportunity to attend other functions during their time with us. With the assistance of other government organizations they are toured through out the region and have usually reported that they have had an interesting time seeing health promotion activities.

The partnership between SH & FPA, FPWNT & Timor Leste  has been exploring the possibilities of members of staff from both Darwin and Canberra travelling to Timor to assist with Clinical Training in the near future. As practitioners this relationship will enhance skills and knowledge not only in techniques but also no doubt cultural aspects will be an important consideration. We as an organization look forward to further expansion of this wonderful relationship and feel privileged to be able to be part of a two way learning process.