Importance of National Reconciliation Week

This year, NRW's theme, "Now More Than Ever," calls us to intensify our efforts. It reminds us that despite the significant strides taken towards reconciliation, there is still much work to be done, particularly post-referendum. The Australian Indigenous Voice referendum saw 60 per cent of Australian voters rejecting the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament, impacting Indigenous communities’ aspirations for constitutional recognition and representation.

However, with 6.2 million Australians casting a 'yes' vote, it's clear that a significant portion of the population supports progress and improved outcomes for Australia’s First Nations peoples. This demonstrates the critical need for our ongoing dedication to social justice, equity, and institutional integrity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

Keeping the conversation going

To keep the conversation going, the EDI Projects and Operations Team, in collaboration with Edith Cowan University and James Cook University, invites you to engage in a dialogue at our NRW 2024 event. This cross-university discussion, themed "Post-Referendum: What's Next for Universities", will provide a platform to explore how Australian universities can actively and effectively participate in the reconciliation process.

A discussion by panel of respected First Nations leaders with diverse perspectives will be followed by a reflective activity exploring the ongoing relevance of reconciliation in the context of recent national changes and the different areas of universities.

We strongly encourage all students to join us in this important event, which not only fosters reflection but also reaffirms our commitment to reconciliation.

Choose between attending a breakfast event in person (limited seating) or joining online.