ASHM’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan has been endorsed from December 2020 – December 2021. We are committed to continuing our reconciliation journey in 2022 with an Innovate RAP which will outline actions that work towards achieving ASHM’S unique vision for reconciliation.
ASHM made the decision to develop a RAP in late 2019. In February 2020 we engaged a RAP working group with representation from across our teams, the ASHM Board, and two Aboriginal external consultants. Together the working group developed our Reflect RAP including 17 unique actions to drive our organisation’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities we work with across Australia.
Our vision for reconciliation is that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this country will be restored to a place of equity, dignity, and respect. Our RAP is an agreed strategy on how ASHM intends to contribute to reducing inequities in living standards and health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians.
As a leading community service provider in the health sector, we have an obligation to serve the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in culturally safe and inclusive ways. Wherever possible, we will partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to deliver programs and increase access to services for those communities. Learn more about our RAP journey in these short virtual launch videos with Rob Monaghan and Charles Gilks.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO, RAP WORKING GROUP & CHAIRS
Alexis Apostolellis, Robert Monaghan, and Charles Gilks
"The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) marks a major step in our reconciliation journey.
We see the RAP as a keystone achievement that supports and informs the work we undertake in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the response to blood-borne viruses and improving sexual health.
Our RAP commitments reflect respect, partnership and opportunity for full Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and also building a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for all".
"The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement."
Reflect – Scoping reconciliation
A Reflect RAP clearly sets out the steps you should take to prepare your organisation for reconciliation initiatives in successive RAPs. Committing to a Reflect RAP allows your organisation to spend time scoping and developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, deciding on your vision for reconciliation and exploring your sphere of influence, before committing to specific actions or initiatives. This process will help to produce future RAPs that are meaningful, mutually beneficial and sustainable.
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans/
"Wiyunggir" Cleverman
Artist: Bianca Monaghan, Bundalung Cultural Experience
The artwork I have created for ASHM represents our old ways, our Lore and our traditional medicine, embedded into the modern life of today's Lore (law) and medicine.
The middle circles represent our old traditional ways of Life passed down through the generations, the surrounding circles are the adaptions of the modern ways of our families living in today’s society. We will always be connected to the new and old ways no matter what we are doing or where we are.
The white berries represent our traditional medicines, and the "Wiyunggir" the cleverman that holds the lore of this medicine. The white dots represent the modern medicine that lives alongside our traditional ways of today. The bronze circles represent our sacred places hidden from society, blending into our way of life yet standing close to us.
The background flow and colours represent our cultural way of life, hunting, gathering, fishing, song-lines and waterholes.
The colours of the sand and ocean represent our connection to the Torres Strait Islander people and their culture a connection that has been long-standing.