CDU launches inaugural reconciliation plan
Charles Darwin University has reiterated its commitment to becoming a leader in Indigenous tertiary education by launching its inaugural reconciliation action plan.
In one of his last official acts as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover launched CDU’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE) on Casuarina campus.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership and ACIKE Director Professor Steven Larkin presented the Vice-Chancellor with the CDU RAP 2013 – 2015, which he said was based on the three core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunity.
“The RAP encompasses a whole-of-organisation approach and synchronises with other plans we already have in place, including the university’s Strategic Plan and Indigenous Learning and Teaching Plan,” Professor Larkin said.
The launch follows on from the signed commitment to Reconciliation Australia to develop a reconciliation action plan in 2011 by Professors Glover and Larkin, along with CDU Vice-Chancellor’s Indigenous Advisory Council Chair Dr Jack Ah Kit.
Professor Glover said the 2011 Statement of Reconciliation was met with overwhelming support from the university community.
“An impressive depth of staff, student and stakeholder consultation was conducted to introduce the RAP,” Professor Glover said. “That consultation has seen this plan become an important part of the university’s architecture.
“The plan provides a compendium of information to guide staff to be more culturally competent and aware.”
The plan notes Indigenous leadership, cultural competency, and symbolic and cultural recognition as areas of action.
Key goals of the RAP include increasing the active participation of Indigenous people in university governance; reflecting various Indigenous ways of being, doing and knowing in course curriculum; and symbolically acknowledging Australia’s First Peoples on all CDU campuses.
The CDU RAP will be ratified by Reconciliation Australia, and its measurable outcomes will be reported annually for the term of the plan.
Story link: http://www.cdu.edu.au/enews/stories/RAP