Australian National Maritime Museum Launches Reconciliation Action Plan
Wednesday 6 March: The Australian National Maritime Museum and Reconciliation Australia have today launched the museum's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), formalising their ongoing commitment to promoting and contributing to reconciliation.
The RAP was launched by Australian National Maritime Museum Chairman Peter Dexter and renowned Historian and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Activist Dr Jackie Huggins. The launch was attended by Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine, Australian National Maritime Museum Director Kevin Sumption, staff, members of the Museum's Council, volunteers and special guests.
Reconciliation Australia defines and measures reconciliation through five critical dimensions: race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity, and historical acceptance.
"All sections of the community have a role to play in progressing these dimensions of reconciliation," Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said. "The RAP framework provides an opportunity for organisations to fully engage with these dimensions and to advance reconciliation within their sphere of influence."
"As an Australian leader in maritime history and education the Australian National Maritime Museum is well placed to drive reconciliation through its various business activities, services and programs.
"I'm delighted to welcome the Museum to our growing RAP community and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey," Ms Mundine said.
The RAP builds on the past achievements of the Museum, to deliver on its vision for reconciliation: "A nation which understands, values and has deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and, especially, their maritime heritages and cultures. We aspire to be an employer of choice and preferred business partner of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples." – Australian National Maritime Museum Reconciliation Action Plan.
"The knowledge held by our First Peoples enriches the national identity, particularly in enhancing the human connection to saltwater and freshwater,"
