In May 2020, we launched our Innovate Reconciliation Plan (RAP), which was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
Through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and by embracing the focus areas of respect, relationships and opportunities, we will do more and do better in addressing health inequalities and inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Menzies director Professor Alan Cass said that this plan builds off our previous RAP and our partnerships.
“In this new Innovate RAP, we want to demonstrate our continued commitment to longer-term employment and engagement strategies, and working towards greater defined targets and goals. Developing our Innovate RAP was not without challenges. It forced us to reflect deeply on our progress as an institution in relation to our earlier RAP and acknowledge that there is much more to be done,” Prof Cass said.
“It also, however, reflects the good work Menzies is doing to address health inequalities, build capabilities and walk together with our partners towards a shared vision for a healthy future.”
Reconciliation Australia chief executive officer Karen Mundine said that she is delighted Menzies is continuing its reconciliation journey.
“Through the development of an Innovate RAP, Menzies School of Health Research continues to play an important part in a community of over 1,000 dedicated corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have formally committed to reconciliation through the RAP program since its inception in 2006,” Ms Mundine said.
“RAP organisations across Australia are turning good intentions into positive actions, helping to build higher trust, lower prejudice, and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.”
The Innovate RAP builds on the solid foundations of its predecessor to further embed and strengthen Menzies’ collaborative research approaches with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Importantly, it will also provide a solid foundation for Menzies to increase the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and provide empowering career development and educational opportunities.
Click on the link to read our Menzies Innovate RAP 2020-2022.