The first RAP Co-Design Workshop to help shape the next iteration of Flinders University’s Reconciliation Action Plan was held on Kaurna Yarta (Bedford Park) on Monday 4 July. The workshop provided an opportunity for staff and students to come together and share their views on how the University can progress its commitment to Reconciliation.

Senior Elder on Campus Uncle Lewis O’Brien was in attendance and provided a Welcome to Country before offering his insight and guidance throughout the workshop.

Professor Jonathan Craig, VPED (CMPH) and RAP Oversight Committee Co-Chair, and Karen Ashford, Director of Media and Communications and RAP Committee member provided a summary of the achievements from the inaugural Innovate RAP, and discussed key themes that emerged from RAP focus group sessions held since May.

The workshop audience heard from Reconciliation South Australia CEO Shona Reid, who spoke of the importance of embedding and integrating the actions from a Reconciliation Action Plan into everyday life. This includes taking learnings home to help educate and ensure that the journey towards Reconciliation becomes immersed within the fabric of the community.

Three winners of the Flinders Reconciliation Awards – Sarah Wendt and Luke Cantley from SWIRLS and Julie Rayner from Corporate Services – also spoke of the work that saw them recognised in the inaugural Reconciliation Awards in 2021.

Attendees were asked to discuss ideas that should be included in the new Vision Statement for the next RAP, adding to the existing concepts of togetherness, reciprocity and respect. The group also discussed the top themes identified in the RAP focus workshops, identifying which should be prioritised in the new RAP, and how best to implement these ideas to introduce meaningful change.

The next RAP Co-Design Workshop will be held on Arrernte Country (Alice Springs) on 25 July, with a workshop on Larrakia Country (Darwin) occurring on 26 July. To register for either of these workshops, please click here.