If you have recently walked into an Australian workplace, it is likely that you might have come across an artwork looking like one of the below:
These are the Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) Artworks created by a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in coordination with the organisations to create authentic, culturally appropriate indigenous designs that reflect their values and commitment to reconciliation. But that’s not all that RAP is about. The artwork is just one small part of the complete Reconciliation Action Plan.
Established in 2001, with a vision of a just, equitable and reconciled nation, Reconciliation Australia is the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. As an independent non-profit organisation, it aims to inspire and enable all Australians to contribute to the reconciliation effort.
As per Reconciliation Australia, “Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians”.
Reconciliation is measured against the following five dimensions, which are essentially quite interrelated.
1. Race Relations
The goal is to foster trust and respect between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the non-Indigenous Australians to maintain a two-way positive relationship between them.
2. Equality and Equity
To motivate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate equally while giving them some unique rights to close the past gaps.
3. Historical Acceptance
For all Australians to accept and understand the injustices of the past that have been committed and to make amends in the policies and practices to ensure it is never repeated.
4. Institutional Integrity
This dimension requires the political, business and community institutions to actively support all dimensions of reconciliation.
5. Unity
The aim is to promote national unity by accepting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity.
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a framework created by Reconciliation Australia to help organisations turn commitments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into action — in workplaces, communities, and business decisions.
The RAP program was launched in 2006 to enable organisations to take meaningful actions towards achieving reconciliation. While the RAP is a standalone document, it can be linked in the ESG strategy of the companies. Built on foundations of strong governance, every RAP rests on three core pillars:
1. Relationships
Building a meaningful relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is at the heart of reconciliation.
2. Respect
Under this pillar, the RAP organisations are encouraged to participate in cultural learning about the history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop respect for them.
3. Opportunities
This pillar focuses on creating economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and businesses to fast-track the reconciliation.
Under each of the above-mentioned pillars, companies are expected to plan actions, deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines based on the stage of reconciliation an organisation is in.
A company or an educational institute can embark on the reconciliation journey in partnership with Reconciliation Australia as follows:
1. Check eligibility
A prerequisite for publishing a RAP is that the organisation has employees and operations in Australia. To check if your organisation is eligible, you can refer the RAP checklist.
2. Commence registration
The registration process involves payment of a RAP development fee and filling out the RAP registration form. The fee is not charged for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations. On successful completion of registration, you will get the RAP-ID.
3. Drafting the RAP
After registration, based on your level (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch or Elevate), you will receive templates and resources using which you can draft your RAP – in consultation with your stakeholders.
4. Submit draft RAP
You can submit your first draft RAP, via the RAP portal for review. This should be completed within 12 months of the registration date. After submission of the first draft, you should expect at least 2-3 rounds of feedback which can last about a month.
5. Conditional Endorsement
Once the draft RAP is approved, you are provided with the RAP logo to include in the final RAP.
6. Design of final RAP
When your final RAP is designed along with the RAP logo and the RAP artwork done by an indigenous designer, you can upload the final RAP PDF via the RAP portal.
7. Publishing RAP
Once uploaded, Reconciliation Australia will formally endorse your RAP, approve the final designed document and publish your plan on the Reconciliation Australia website. Your RAP is now a public commitment, and your organisation is recognised as a member of the RAP network, which can then be shared and promoted externally.
8. Implementing the RAP
Now is the time to launch the RAP and start implementing the actions committed to.
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