CEO Penny Harrison on the Australian Red Cross launching its Reconciliation Action Plan
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Australian Red Cross has released its fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), reaffirming its commitment to being a culturally safe organisation for First Nation peoples, and the path towards meaningful, long-term reconciliation.
Australian Red Cross Interim CEO Penny Harrison highlighted that the organisation’s RAP builds on a history of ongoing commitment to reconciliation and will continue to guide the vision for a unified nation built on dignity, safety and well-being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“First Nations centrality is core to Australian Red Cross’ strategy.”
“We want to advance reconciliation across the humanitarian sector and make a genuine difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities,” added Harrison.
Australian Red Cross’ newest Innovate RAP – Reconciliation in Action – is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and builds on a decade’s worth of expertise and invaluable insights garnered from previous initiatives.
Karen Mundine, Chief Executive Officer for Reconciliation Australia has welcomed the RAP.
“This Innovate RAP is an opportunity for Australian Red Cross to strengthen relationships, gain crucial experience, and nurture connections that will become the lifeblood of its future RAP commitments,” added Mundine.
Related: Redistribution not reconciliation: The next step for First Nations justice
“By enabling and empowering staff to contribute to this process, Australian Red Cross will ensure shared and cooperative success in the long-term.”
According to Harrison, the RAP they’ve launched is focused on building stronger connections, which will, in turn, progress their long-term reconciliation ambitions, based on relationships, respect, and opportunities.
“As an organisation that supports people during times of need and crisis, our deep ties and connections in community mean we have an incredibly important and influential role to play in advancing reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples,” said Harrison.
About Reconciliation In Action – Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (March 2024-March 2026)
Reconciliation In Action is Australian Red Cross’ fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and will guide the organisation’s approach to reconciliation up to March 2026. Reconciliation In Action is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia
This RAP is focused on building stronger foundations which will progress Australian Red Cross’ long-term reconciliation ambitions. It was developed with extensive consultation and collaboration with The Healing Foundation, a peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisation, and more than 2,000 Australian Red Cross people, including 55 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues from 14 language groups across every state and territory.
There are four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. Reconciliation In Action is an Innovate RAP. An Innovate RAP focuses on strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and piloting strategies for further reconciliation commitments and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An Innovate RAP is implemented over two years.
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