Close the Gap with Truth Telling #RAPConference2024 Reconciliation Australia @RecAustralia The National RAP Conference 2024, held in Meanjin (Brisbane) this week, gathered leaders and organisations committed to advancing reconciliation under the theme Now More Than Ever. This year's program features discussions on pressing issues like truth-telling, with a series of plenaries and breakout sessions focused on addressing Australia's historical injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One session on truth-telling saw representatives from Telstra, the ABC, and the City of Melbourne discuss their organisations' roles in truth-telling initiatives and their commitments to acknowledging past harms. Each speaker shared insights on their organisation's journey toward truth-telling, aiming to deepen public understanding and accountability. Mr Jason Eades, Director of Aboriginal Melbourne, highlighted the City of Melbourne's work to honour and acknowledge the experiences of Aboriginal Victorians, including the creation of a marker to commemorate the Stolen Generations. "For some time now, our community has said to us, 'we want to know more about our Traditional Owners, and we want council to do more'," Mr Eades said. Mr Eades emphasised that truth-telling has been central to Melbourne's reconciliation efforts, especially given the city's foundational role in the colonisation of Victoria. "The city of Melbourne existed before the State of Victoria, which means we played a role in the colonisation of the state," he noted. In 2016, community consultation led Melbourne City Council to take steps toward truth-telling and treaty advocacy. "We want to get it right and right for the Traditional Owners," Mr Eades said. A significant initiative from Melbourne City has been the interactive map, which allows users to explore Melbourne's Aboriginal history. "We built this interactive map, which lets you rewind time," Mr Eades said. "As local government, we are closest here to people within our municipalities. nit.com.au/07-11-2024/14744/…

Check out action from day one of #RAPConference2024. @RecAustralia @ninti_one

Day 2 #RAPConference2024 Keynote: Understanding and activating equity and economic justice @RecAustralia Reconciliation can only progress when there is equity for First Nations people in pursuit of social, economic and political forms of self-determination. Working in partnership helps advance the economic futures of First Nations people. Hear about examples of, and strategies for, genuine partnerships to support this goal. Keynote Speakers: Ian Hamm, Chair, Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation Vonda Malone, Former CEO, Torres Strait Regional Authority Moderator: Naomi Moran, Outgoing CEO of Koori Mail and recently appointed NSW Treaty Commissioner

The National #RAPConference2024 program will focus on taking strong action to address barriers to advancing reconciliation, and on creating sustainable change. @RecAustralia This breakout : Advocating for Change and Justice for Young People A view into First Nations led justice solutions, as well as how like-minded organisations can work together to support initiatives that protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Speakers • Romlie Mokak, former Commissioner, Productivity Commission. • Karina Hawtrey, Solicitor, National Justice Project • Belinda Duarte, CEO, @cultureislife

#rapconference2024 Plenary Panel Discussion: Truth-telling – the beating heart of reconciliation Truth-telling is a key driver of reconciliation. Reconciliation Australia @RecAustralia Every step of Australia’s formal reconciliation process has been lockstep with calls for truth-telling. Hear from leading voices involved in ongoing truth-telling processes in Australia and learn about the barriers and enablers to participation in these processes. Speaker: Sue-Anne Hunter, Deputy Chair and Commissioner, Yoorrook Justice Commission @yoorrookjc Moderator: Natalie Ahmat, Conference Host and Head of Indigenous News, NITV Now More Than Ever there is an urgency to the work of advancing reconciliation. The National RAP Conference 2024 in Meanjin (Brisbane) from 6-7 November 2024 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two-day event galvanises the power of the 3000+ organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) from all around Australia during this historic phase in Australia’s reconciliation journey.

Fiona Jose, Group CEO of the Cape York Partnership shares her insights in the opening address of #RAPconference2024 What has Closing the Gap got to do with reconciliation ? @RecAustralia Consider 1Close the gap in life expectancy within a generation by 2031. 2Increase the proportion of babies with a healthy birthweight to 91 per cent by 2031. 3Increase the proportion of children assessed as developmentally on track in all five domains of the Australian Early Development Census to 55 per cent by 2031. 4Reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031. 5Significant and sustained reduction in suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards zero. Education and employment 6Increase the proportion of children enrolled in Year Before Fulltime Schooling early childhood education to 95 per cent by 2025. 7Increase the proportion of people aged 20-24 years attaining year 12 or equivalent qualification to 96 per cent by 2031. 8Increase the proportion of people aged 25-34 years who have completed a tertiary qualification (Certificate III and above) to 70 per cent by 2031. 9Increase the proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) who are in employment, education or training to 67 per cent by 2031. 10Increase the proportion of people aged 25-64 years who are employed to 62 per cent by 2031. Justice 11Reduce the rate of adults held in incarceration by at least 15 per cent by 2031. 12Reduce the rate of young people (aged 10-17 years) in detention by 30 per cent by 2031. Safety 13Reduce the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50 per cent by 2031, as progress towards zero. Housing 14a) Increase the proportion of people living in appropriately sized (not overcrowded) housing to 88 per cent by 2031. b) By 2031, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households: 1within discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities receive essential services that meet or exceed the relevant jurisdictional standard 2in or near to a town receive essential services that meet or exceed the same standard as applies generally within the town (including if the household might be classified for other purposes as a part of a discrete settlement such as a “town camp” or “town based reserve”.) Land and waters 15Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters. ◦A 15 per cent increase in Australia’s landmass subject to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests by 2030. ◦A 15 per cent increase in areas covered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s legal rights or interests in the sea by 2030. Languages 16There is a sustained increase in number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken by 2031. Digital inclusion 17Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026.

Close the Gap on racism : @RecAustralia #RAPconference2024 #truthtelling now Opening Keynote: The urgent work of reconciliation Now more than ever, it is time to stand up and take substantive action towards building a just and reconciled nation. There is an urgency and a need for stronger commitments to fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and to centre and be guided by to First Nations voices. Fiona Jose, Group CEO of the Cape York Partnership shares her insights in the opening address of the event. Keynote Speaker: Fiona Jose, Group CEO, Cape York Partnership Moderator: Karen Mundine, CEO, Reconciliation Australia

The doors are open for the @RecAustralia National #RAPConference2024 begins today in Meanjin (Brisbane). Welcome to Country Joseph Ruska and Tribal Experiences Compare @Natalie Ahmat #NowMoreThanEver is the theme of the conference, which will include dozens of speakers and sessions to address barriers to advancing #reconciliation, and on creating sustainable change.