Reconciliation action plan 2012-14
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July 2012
The Australian Institute of Family Studies acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, travel and live.
We pay our respects to their Elders, their ancestors and future generations.
Message from the Director
I am pleased to present our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
While our RAP journey is near the beginning, I feel our plan represents an important milestone in the Institute's long journey of research. For 30-plus years, the Australian Institute of Family Studies has conducted research and disseminated findings on family wellbeing. Much of our success can be attributed to our commitment to building positive relationships with our government stakeholders, research partners and participants, as well as with the broader community.
This plan formalises our commitment to working with and for a very important and significant group - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The actions set out here demonstrate our vision for recognising, respecting and valuing the histories, cultures and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I am confident we will make an important contribution to reconciliation and look forward to the next steps in our journey as we walk together with the first peoples of this land.
Professor Alan Hayes
Director
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Our vision for reconciliation
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) vision for reconciliation recognises, respects and values the histories, cultures and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to helping to turn around the disadvantages experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also want to help promote the cultural insights and positive achievements of the first Australians. To achieve this, we will:
- promote understanding and respectful relationships by working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and agencies, and enhance organisational awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories;
- support respectful and ethical practice when conducting research with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, including evaluations of relevant programs and services;
- highlight positive practice in the delivery of programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities; and
- grow our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce.
Our business
AIFS is an Australian Government statutory agency in the portfolio of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Our role is to conduct rigorous and impartial research and to communicate research evidence to support the work of those who have a role in policy, advocacy and delivery of services in the best interests of families.
AIFS Directions 2012-15 specifies the Institute's four areas of research focus and our strategic goals. Our four areas of research focus are:
- family formation, development and diversity;
- the social and economic participation and wellbeing of families;
- safety for families; and
- delivery of services to support and strengthen families.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Formed in 2010, the AIFS Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group developed this plan in consultation with the Executive and other AIFS staff. The working group includes representatives from the two broad areas of the Institute (that is, the Research and Corporate and Strategy areas) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives external to AIFS. Reconciliation Australia and other members of the Reconciliation Action Plan community, including Australia Post and the Australian Government Solicitor, also supported the working group.
Relationships
Respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians are essential to our work. They enhance our knowledge, understanding and appreciation of issues affecting the first Australians and support our efforts to conduct research of benefit to our culturally diverse society.
Action | Measurable target | Timeline/responsibility |
---|---|---|
Deliver resources internally to inform the conduct of respectful and ethical research with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations |
| July 2012 Library/Web team Ethics Committee Secretariat (with support from the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group) All staff |
Develop and maintain supportive working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations |
| August 2012 All research staff |
Encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researcher, policy-maker and practitioner involvement in the AIFS biennial conference, LSAC-LSIC research conference and seminar series |
| July 2012 Conference planning committee External Relations Executive |
Continue to convene a working group, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, to support the development and implementation of our plan |
| July 2012 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group |
Provide opportunities for all employees to build relationships during National Reconciliation Week |
| May 2013 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group |
Respect
For AIFS, it is profoundly important to recognise, respect and value the histories, cultures, lands and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As such, AIFS will promote cultural awareness and diversity among staff to ensure a greater understanding of these areas in the workplace.
Action | Measurable target | Timeline/responsibility |
---|---|---|
Develop guidelines for event planning to ensure that AIFS events include, where appropriate:
|
| July 2012 Executive Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group External Relations Conference planning committees |
Raise staff awareness, knowledge and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures by:
|
| August 2012 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Human Resources Web team All staff |
Opportunities
AIFS is committed to creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our workplace to enhance the knowledge and skills of our workforce.
Action | Measurable target | Timeline/responsibility |
---|---|---|
Encourage and support recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (in line with Council of Australian Government targets of 2.7% Indigenous employees by 2015) through:
|
| August 2012 Human Resources |
Investigate training and development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruits |
| October 2012 Human Resources |
Support economic development by promoting products, services and initiatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and businesses |
| August 2012 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Executive |
Action | Measurable target | Timeline/responsibility |
---|---|---|
Ensure that issues of relevance and meaning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are considered in the development of major strategic initiatives (including AIFS Research Directions 2012-15) |
| July 2012 Executive |
Tracking progress and reporting
Action | Measurable target | Timeline/responsibility |
---|---|---|
Report progress to AIFS Executive |
| January 2013 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group |
Report to Reconciliation Australia |
| May 2013 Contracts and compliance area |
| July 2014 Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group |
Contact details
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Level 20, 485 La Trobe Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Email the AIFS RAP Working Group
Ph: (03) 9214 7888 | Fax: (03) 9214 7839