Reconciliation in 2004 - the outlook is positive after key gains in 2003

The 2003 Reconciliation Report offers a summary of what Reconciliation Australia has gleaned through the two central aspects of its work, and is divided accordingly into two main sections: Reconciliation in Action and Making it Count – Policy Implications.

Reconciliation in Action identifies indicative developments across sectors to provide an insight into what has been initiated and/or achieved during the year:

• At government level, developments include the highly significant review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC);
• the Senate Inquiry into Progress Towards National Reconciliation;
• progress in delivering on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Agreements of November 2000; and
• groundbreaking State/Territory based initiatives.

Projects realised through business partnerships with Indigenous communities, where business imperatives and social corporate responsibility have coalesced for the benefit of all stakeholders, are highlighted.

And the report discusses activities generated at the community level where practical and symbolic aspects of reconciliation combine without comment, transforming in varying degrees, the social landscape of communities.

Reconciliation Australia has contributed significantly this year across sectors.

The second section, Making it Count – Policy Implications, examines policy implications arising from the recent intense period of rethinking and review.

Advice focuses on the broad parameters of leadership, inter-jurisdictional issues, timeframes for success, and the importance of communicating unequivocal support for people and organisations engaged in reconciliation activities.

Reconciliation in Action

Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is about connecting with one another and together, finding new and better ways of solving problems.

It’s about helping all Australians move forward with greater understanding of the past and how the past affects the lives of Indigenous people today.

Public awareness of reconciliation has increased significantly in the last decade, and across Australia, people are getting on with the business of reconciliation, in their communities, their workplaces, and in schools and universities.

Noteworthy initiatives this year by government, businesses and community organisations have shown respect for the honoured place of the first Australians while addressing the extreme disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people in health, employment, education and general opportunity.