DFAT Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Vision
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will be recognised for the opportunities it fosters for all Australians to participate in the reconciliation process by promoting awareness of and the interests of our diverse Indigenous cultures through the work of the department in Australia and overseas.
Our Business
The department’s role and responsibility is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. The department’s staff in Canberra, in our state and territory offices and around the world, work together to achieve the department’s four outcomes:
- Australia’s national interests protected and advanced through contributions to international security, national economic and trade performance and global cooperation;
- Australians informed about and provided access to consular and passport services in Australia and overseas;
- public understanding in Australia and overseas of Australia’s foreign and trade policy and a positive image of Australia internationally; and
- efficient management of the Commonwealth overseas owned estate.
Our Approach to Reconciliation
The department is committed to promoting diversity and reconciliation in Australia and in our posts around the world through:
- the Torres Strait Treaty Liaison Office on Thursday Island working directly with Indigenous Australians in the Torres Strait (and with Indigenous traditional inhabitants in Papua New Guinea) to implement the Torres Strait Treaty signed by Australia and PNG;
- the department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public diplomacy program projecting an accurate and comprehensive image of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples internationally;
- the department’s participation in key multilateral forums on Indigenous issues, such as the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and actively working towards a text of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that can be adopted by consensus;
- actively seeking the views of Indigenous representatives and NGOs, including through regular NGO consultations held in Canberra and development of networks at post to inform its international activities;
- being mindful of trade aspects that benefit Indigenous Australians economically and as an active participant in discussions regarding the promotion and protection of traditional knowledge; and
- working in partnership with other Australian Government agencies to represent and promote ‘whole-of-government’ interests, which will enable our approach to reconciliation to be outcomes-focused, realistic and achievable within Reconciliation Australia’s National Program of Action.
The department aims to approach reconciliation processes by implementing the APS Employment and Capability Strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employees and enhancing the department’s Workplace Diversity Plan. The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) reflects the department’s Indigenous Recruitment and Career Development Strategy 2004-2007. The Department also maintains both informal and formal consultative mechanisms within the department through the Indigenous Employees Network (IEN) and the Indigenous Taskforce which continue to play an important role in establishing relationships and dialogue within the department on a range of key Indigenous issues. The internal reporting mechanisms will assist the Indigenous Taskforce to address issues that may arise and further develop strategies to enhance success of the Reconciliation Action Plan. The department’s Indigenous Taskforce will provide leadership in the ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
The themes of DFAT’s Reconciliation Action Plan are inclusive of the department’s key functions. These themes are as follows:
1. Recruitment of Indigenous Australians
4. Promotion of Workplace Diversity Plan and Cross-Cultural Awareness
5. Enhancing and building on Public Diplomacy
6. Participation in key whole-of-government, bilateral and multilateral forums on Indigenous issues
7. Consulting, working with and listening to Indigenous representatives, individuals and NGOs
Administering DFAT’s Reconciliation Action Plan
The Staff Development and Post Issues Branch (SDB) in the Corporate Management Division will report annually to the Secretary on implementation, outcomes and success of the Reconciliation Action Plan, and on any elements of it that may require updating. Reports will be provided at appropriate fora.
Further information on Indigenous issues
Last updated 29 May, 2007