Reconciliation Australia facts for kids
| Predecessor | Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation |
|---|---|
| Formation | January 2001 |
| Type | Non-government not-for-profit organisation |
| Purpose | The national expert body on reconciliation in Australia; with a vision to wake to a reconciled, just and equitable Australia |
| Headquarters | Old Parliament House |
| Location |
|
|
Region
|
Australia |
|
Co-Chairs
|
Professor Tom Calma AO Melinda Cilento |
| Karen Mundine | |
|
Revenue (2016)
|
 $10.9 million |
Reconciliation Australia is a group that is not run by the government and doesn't aim to make a profit. It was started in January 2001. Its main goal is to keep the idea of reconciliation alive in Australia.
Reconciliation means bringing Indigenous people (like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and non-Indigenous Australians closer together. They want everyone to understand and respect each other's cultures and histories. This group was created by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
One important thing Reconciliation Australia does is organize National Reconciliation Week every year. There's also the Australian Reconciliation Network, which includes similar groups in each of Australia's six states.
Contents
History of Reconciliation in Australia
The idea of reconciliation started after a big report in 1991. This report came from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. It suggested that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians should work towards reconciliation.
On 2 September 1991, the Australian Parliament agreed to this idea. They decided to create the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR). This council was set up to help bring people together. Parliament hoped that by 2001, Australia would be more united. This year marked 100 years since Australia became a federation.
The CAR had a clear goal: "A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all". Patrick Dodson was the first leader of the CAR. The CAR was planned to run for 10 years.
Reconciliation Australia was then created by the CAR in January 2001. One of its first leaders was Fred Chaney. He worked on the board for almost 15 years.
The "Recognise" Campaign
In 2012, Reconciliation Australia started a campaign called "Recognise". This campaign aimed to make changes to the Australian Constitution. The goal was to officially recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia's main law.
The campaign wanted all Australians to know about this important change. It was a big success, as awareness of the issue grew a lot. Tanya Hosch was a key person and public face of the "Recognise" campaign. She traveled around Australia to share information and get people involved. This tour was inspired by Michael Long's "Long Walk".
The "Recognise" campaign finished in 2017. By then, it had gained support from over 318,000 people. More than 160 community and business groups also supported it.
How Reconciliation Australia Works
Reconciliation Australia gets its money from different places. Businesses, the government, and individual Australians donate to help their work. These donations can also be tax-deductible.
The organization works with businesses, government, and people across Australia. They try to make positive changes happen. They also keep an eye on how well Australia is doing with reconciliation. A lot of their funding comes from the BHP Foundation. This is the giving-back part of the big mining company BHP Group Limited.
Key People at Reconciliation Australia
Board Members
As of July 2021, some of the people on the board of Reconciliation Australia include:
- Professor Tom Calma (co-chair)
- Melinda Cilento (co-chair)
- Kenny Bedford, who represents Darnley Island
- Bill Lawson, who started the Beacon Foundation
- Kirstie Parker, an Aboriginal woman from the Yuwallarai people
- Joy Thomas, who used to advise government ministers
- Sharon Davis, a Bardi and Kija person
- Doug Ferguson, a partner at KPMG
Executive Team
- Karen Mundine is the chief executive officer (CEO). She is a Bundjalung woman. She has much experience in working with communities and sharing messages.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Reconciliation Australia received the UN Day Honour award. This award celebrates groups in Australia that help achieve the goals of the United Nations. These goals include promoting peace, human rights, and social justice.
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)
In 2006, the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program was launched. Reconciliation Australia runs this program. At first, RAPs focused on "closing the gap" in life expectancy. This meant trying to make the health and life chances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples equal to other Australians.
Over time, the RAP program grew. It now helps organizations in a more complete way. It aims to support positive results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. RAPs are like a guide for workplaces. They help businesses and other groups take real steps towards reconciliation.
What's in a RAP?
RAPs are practical plans for action within a workplace. They focus on three main areas:
- Relationships: Building strong connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
- Respect: Learning about and valuing Indigenous cultures and histories.
- Opportunities: Creating fair chances for Indigenous Australians in jobs and business.
These plans help people in workplaces understand important issues. They also encourage meaningful interactions between different groups. RAPs aim to increase fairness in the workplace. They also help create lasting job opportunities for Indigenous people.
There are four types of RAPs: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate. Organizations choose the type that best suits them. For example, a RAP might suggest that an organization buys goods and services from certified Indigenous businesses.
The RAP program has grown a lot. In 2006, only eight organizations had RAPs. By 2017, over 900 organizations had fully approved RAPs. A survey in 2013 showed that workers in RAP organizations had more trust in each other. They also felt more pride in Indigenous cultures. This shows RAPs are changing workplace cultures and attitudes. They are also helping to improve economic and social outcomes.
Big companies like KPMG and BORAL have adopted RAPs. Griffith University in Queensland also adopted its first RAP in 2010.
Australian Reconciliation Network
The Australian Reconciliation Network includes several independent organizations. These groups organize activities and share information in their states:
- New South Wales – Reconciliation NSW
- Queensland – Reconciliation Queensland
- South Australia – Reconciliation SA
- Tasmania – Reconciliation Tasmania
- Victoria – Reconciliation Victoria
- Western Australia – Reconciliation WA
See also
