Our vision for Reconciliation is for an Australia of equality where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians can walk side-by-side, acknowledging the past, but looking to the future.
We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have suffered immeasurable harm since colonisation.
The dispossession of land, genocide, removal of children and the ongoing failures of justice have severely damaged their cultures, family systems, languages and spirit.
This harm has been done to strong, proud and resilient peoples from many diverse nations.
We recognise and admire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for their histories spanning tens of thousands of years.
We value and celebrate cultures that derive spiritual strength from the relationship with, and care of land, the strength of family and community systems and the storylines of proud and resilient peoples.
To realise our vision for reconciliation, we’re using a framework guided by Reconciliation Victoria and Reconciliation Australia. The framework includes:
You can learn more about the RAP program on Reconciliation Australia’s RAP page.
We launched our Innovate RAP in June 2021.
Our Innovate RAP commits to 18 specific actions, comprised of over 60 individual tasks, within the 2021–23 period.
In 2016, Jesuit Social Services developed and implemented a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia.
Three years after implementation many of the actions identified have been completed but we know we still have more to do.
Our vision is Building a Just Society and we recognise there can be no true Justice without Treaty and truth-telling. We see the commencement of an Innovate RAP at this time as a way to guide and measure part of our journey not as the journey itself.
