Abt Associates Australia Reconciliation Action Plan. April 2017 April 2018

Transcription

1 Abt Associates Australia Reconciliation Action Plan April 2017 April 2018

2 Contents A message from our CEO 2 Our Business 3 Our RAP 3 Our Partnerships and Current Activities 4 Relationships 5-6 Respect 8-9 Opportunities 10 Tracking Progress and Reporting 11 Pic to the left: Aunty Flo Watson & Luana Sanders at Abt Associates Reconciliation Week Information Session 2015 Cover Page: Abt Associates commissioned Denise Proud in 2015 to produce this piece called Community Networking that is proudly displayed in our Brisbane offices. 2

3 A Message from the CEO Abt Associates acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and the Traditional Custodians across Australia. We pay respect to the Elders of the past, present and future in maintaining the culture, country and their spiritual connection to the land. I am proud to introduce Abt Associates inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for Abt Associates through their ANFPP (Australian Nurse Family Partnership ) has a history of activities and community partnerships, which demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation. Our Reflect RAP provides a framework and plan to help us focus and coordinate our reconciliation efforts over the next 12 months. At Abt Associates, we are committed to working together to make a difference across the urban, rural and remote communities of Australia. We also look forward to building on existing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their communities and organisations. Jane Thomason CEO Abt Associates acknowledgtes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and the Traditional Custodians across Australia. We pay respect to the Elders of the past, present and future in maintaining the culture, country and their spiritual connection to the land. 3

4 Our Business Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges. We provide a comprehensive range of services from policy to service delivery in the public and private sectors contributing to long-term benefits for clients and communities. Operating in remote and challenging environments, we offer extensive experience in the region, strong technical capacity, and a proven project management track record. Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. In Australia we have offices in Brisbane and Canberra in addition to offices in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and as program offices in more than 50 countries. Abt Associates currently has 3.5% of its Australian based employees from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. The Australian Nurse Family Partnership Leadership group includes two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. Our RAP Abt Associates have developed a RAP to reflect our vision for reconciliation respectful, enduring and mutually-beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to acknowledge the diversity of nations in Australia. We are proud to have developed this RAP over a period of 12 months. The development of our RAP fulfils a commitment from Abt Associates Australia and builds on the work already underway across our Australian Nurse Family Partnership (ANFPP) to support employment, training and education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Internally our RAP Champion is Karen Harmon AM, Executive Director Organizational Culture & General Manager Australian and Pacific s. The development of our RAP was initiated by Luana Sanders, Family Partnership Worker Educator & Cultural Advisor of the ANFPP. ANFPP is a nurse-led home visiting program that supports women pregnant with an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child to improve their own health and the health of their baby. The ANFPP also provides valuable support and advice to mothers that helps with the baby s development in their early years. The ANFPP is an important early investment in the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in local communities. Abt Associates has established a RAP Working Group that consists of representation from our Brisbane office, including our three full time Indigenous female staff. 4

5 Our Partnerships and Current Activities Community Partnerships We are currently establishing our relationship with an Indigenous youth women s shelter in the Brisbane area to collaborate on initiatives to assist the women. Internal activities/initiatives Abt Associates Australia demonstrates respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures through initiatives embedded in our practice. For example, we hold staff information sessions where we educated staff about Indigenous dates of significance, recognising key events as listed below. Abt Associates Australia also convenes events that all staff are encouraged to attend and become involved with, and to raise awareness of to start conversations. Staff Information Sessions: Anniversary of the Apology Speech; Close The Gap Day; Sorry Day; Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum; National Reconciliation Week; Mabo Day; Coming of the Light; NAIDOC Week; National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children s Day; Indigenous Literacy Day; and Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Other Activities: With the permission of Indigenous community members, two meeting rooms have been renamed - one to represent the Aboriginal community and the other to represent the Torres Strait Islander community; All Abt workplaces incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork in areas visible to employees and visitors with an explanation of their significance and meaning; Acknowledgement to Country on staff signatures; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags displayed on front reception; Copies of the fortnightly newspaper Koori Mail are available to staff in lunch rooms along with mainstream newspapers; and Job Vacancy advertisements listed in Koori Mail 5

6 Relationships Building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is important to Abt Associates Australia because it will help our employees consider how we can better contribute as individuals and an organization to reconciliation. Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable 1. Establish a RAP Working Group Cultural Advisor April 2017 Form a RAP Working Group that is operational to support the development of our RAP, comprising of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and decision-making staff from across our organisation 2. Build internal and external relationships Administration Assistant October 2017 Develop a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organizations within our local area or sphere of influence that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey. Nurse Educator December 2017 Develop a list of RAP organisations and other like-minded organizations that we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey. 3. Participate in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) Administration Assistant May 2017 Encourage staff to attend a NRW event Administration Assistant May 2017 Circulate Reconciliation Australia s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to staff. FPW Educator May 2017 Ensure our Working Group participates in an external event to recognize and celebrate NRW. 4. Raise internal awareness of Abt Associates RAP Cultural Advisor June 2017 Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness amongst all staff across the organisation about our RAP commitments. 6

7 Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable FPW Educator June 2017 Develop and implement a plan to engage and inform key internal stakeholders of their responsibilities within our RAP. 5. Include other unique relationships actions and targets related to our core business and vision for reconciliation Cultural Advisor Dec 2017 Build partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. Health Data Administrator Dec 2017 Raise awareness of/explore opportunities to support the Recognise campaign. Cultural Advisor Dec 2017 Continue to support the Queensland based reconciliation council. 7

8 Respect Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is important to Abt Associates because it creates the foundation for reconciliation action and allows relationships to develop towards effective partnerships. Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable 6. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development HR Manager May 2017 Encourage staff to use the online cultural awareness tool Interactive Ochre for increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements. IPV Project Manager Sept 2017 Capture data and measure our staff s current level of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievement. Manager Dec 2017 Share with the wider Abt Associates the ANFPP Cultural Competence Statement to show our commitment in promoting cultural safety. 7. Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week Cultural Advisor July 2017 Raise awareness and share information amongst staff of the meaning of NAIDOC Week which includes information about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Nurse Educator July 2017 Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in our local area. FPW Educator July 2017 Provide opportunities for staff to engage with Indigenous culture and communities through the Family Fun Day at Musgrave Park by volunteering with a local Indigenous based community organization. 8

9 Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable FPW Educator July 2017 Ensure our RAP Working Group participates in an external NAIDOC Week event. 8. Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols FPW Educator July 2017 Explore who the Traditional Owners are of the lands and waters in our local area. Nurse Educator July 2017 Scope and develop a list of local Traditional Owners of the lands and waters within our organisations sphere of influence. Cultural Advisor July 2017 Develop and implement a plan to raise awareness and understanding of the meaning and significance behind Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols (including any local cultural protocols). The production of a flyer explaining the cultural protocols is currently in draft format. Administration Assistant July 2017 Display permanent signage acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work. 9. Raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements at Abt. Associates Cultural Advisor July 2017 Celebrate and recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates of significance. Project Administrator May 2017 Communicate and encourage staff to use Reconciliation Australia s Share Our Pride online tool to all staff. 9

10 Opportunities Abt Associates Australia is committed to creating more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities. Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable 10. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment Talent Acquisition Lead, People & Culture and Marketing June 2017 All ANFPP job vacancies to include the statement Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Talent Acquisition Lead, People & Culture and Marketing June 2017 Investigate opportunities for employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate/intern through establishing contact with key Brisbane Universities in particular the First Nations Unit of Griffith University and to continue to nurture the relationships. VP, People & Culture and Marketing August 2017 Investigate employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (e.g. traineeships or internships or providing opportunities for work experience or Indigenous consultants). 11. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity Cultural Advisor Cultural Advisor June 2017 June 2017 Continue to use and seek services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses as we have in the past with companies such as Gilimbaa Creative Arts and Kulillla Art. Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses. 12. Incorporate principles of reconciliation in our day to day work Cultural Advisor July 2017 Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional development by commencing an internal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional mentoring and support network. 10

11 RAP Working Group Chair July 2017 Live out the mission and values of Abt Associates in our daily work within the RAP to deliver the specific activities that we will undertake in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Tracking Progress and Reporting Achievement of Abt Associates Reflect RAP will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure actions as being progressed and reported. Action Responsibility Timeline Deliverable 13. Build support for the RAP RAP Working Group Chair May 2017 Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation. RAP Working Group Chair May 2017 Define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report on RAP activities. RAP Working Group Chair June 2017 Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia. 14. Review and Refresh RAP RAP Working Group Chair RAP Working Group Chair April 2018 April 2018 Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements. Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal review and endorsement. 11

12 For public enquiries about Abt Associates Australia Reflect RAP, please contact: Karen Harmon AM Executive Director Organisational Culture Australian and Pacific s (T) (E) Karen.harmon@abtassoc.com.au Luana Sanders Cultural Advisor ANFPP (T) (E) luana.sanders@anfpp.com.au 12