COORDINARE launches 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan
26 August 2021
COORDINARE will launch its 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) with a virtual event attended by staff, members of the Board and the RAP Working Group along with key community members.
According to Dianne Kitcher, CEO of COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN, the 'Innovate' Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has been officially endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
“It is our commitment to the organisations and communities we work with to be truthful in our work together with a vision to progress and celebrate health, well-being and equity for and with First Nations peoples,” said Ms Kitcher.
“Reconciliation, in COORDINARE’S context, represents equal health outcomes for members of First Nations communities in our region and an inclusive and diverse workplace that is culturally safe, culturally rich and proud.
“Building on the learning of our REFLECT RAP, we have undertaken an authentic journey that has involved staff across the organisation as well as members of the Aboriginal community. We have focused on deepening our understanding of the reconciliation process, cultivating relationships, welcoming truth-telling and identifying opportunities to gain a better understanding,” she said.
Developing the RAP has enabled COORDINARE to develop a framework that will keep the organisation accountable in continuing to build relationships, trust and respect across its programs. This includes having a better understanding and empathy and improving access and safety for Aboriginal people.
“Our RAP working group, including PHN staff and members of regional Aboriginal communities, working together have proudly led this initiative in consultation with our Board and executive, and we are delighted to launch it,” said Ms Kitcher.
“The South Eastern NSW region is a place of many diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Given our significant cultural footprint, it is very important that COORDINARE works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure we are culturally sensitive, respectful and meaningful in all that we do.”
“We hope the Innovate RAP will continue to draw our staff and the community into the story of reconciliation over the next 24 months. It provides our staff with a set of priorities and guidelines to help us engage more meaningfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, histories and cultures,” said Ms Kitcher.