Our Reconciliation Action Plan progresses to 'Innovate'

I'm pleased to announce that the Memorial has begun implementing our new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), to further drive our contribution to reconciliation within our workplace and in the communities in which we operate. Our plan has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

Our Innovate RAP 2019-2021 gives us the opportunity to improve relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians through increased understanding and respect gained from recognising diverse experiences of war and its aftermath.

The key points of focus are:

• Building and enhancing the relationship between the Memorial and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through celebrating and participating in events, particularly during National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
• Development and implementation of an engagement plan to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
• Fostering the relationship with Defence leaders, associations and initiatives, as well as local organisations like the United Ngunnawal Elders and ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.
• Promote awareness of the RAP both internally and externally.
• Engage employees in learning opportunities to understand the significance of cultural protocols, histories and achievements.
• Address how the Memorial will tell the stories of colonial era frontier violence.
• Investigate opportunities to engage and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at the Memorial.

The RAP Program provides a four-stage framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement - these are Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. The program supports organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This next stage, through our Innovate RAP, expands on this previous work and focuses on relationships with Indigenous communities, building and fostering respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and identifying the opportunities for communities to engage with the Memorial.

Our RAP Working Group meets monthly to work through the deliverables of the plan. RAP Working Group members are drawn from across the Memorial with meetings chaired by Assistant Director National Collection, Brian Dawson.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians - as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. We are in this together.

Matt Anderson

Director

Australian War Memorial