The Council for Aboriginal ReconciliationThe Council > Strategic Plan > The Council for Aboriginal ReconciliationVision Statement A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established by the Commonwealth Parliament, with unanimous cross-party support, as a statutory body under the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991. The Council comprises 25 members drawn from the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and wider Australian communities. The Government, the Opposition and the Australian Democrats in the Commonwealth Parliament are represented among the wider community participants. The third Council was appointed on 18 December 1997. Under a sunset clause included in the Act, the Council ceases to exist on 1 January 2001. The Council's overall task is to promote a process of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. This process is based on an appreciation of indigenous cultures and achievements and of the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the indigenous peoples of Australia. The means employed in the process include the fostering of an ongoing national commitment to cooperate to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage. The Council undertakes an extensive public awareness campaign designed to provide materials on reconciliation and to promote the Council's three goals to broad sections of the Australian community. These materials include a variety of videos and publications ranging from detailed discussion papers to simple brochures. The Council also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Walking Together, which covers current issues including stories on the people's movement for reconciliation and practical examples of reconciliation in communities around the nation. The Council has established a network of Australians for Reconciliation (AFR) coordinators across Australia. The AFR coordinators help communities advance reconciliation, improve relationships between indigenous peoples and the wider community, and disseminate information about reconciliation. For further information on reconciliation or to become part of the people's movement for reconciliation you can contact an AFR Coordinator in your State/Territory on the following toll free number: ACT 1800 804 330
Limited amounts of the Council's materials may also be obtained by telephoning the Council's mailhouse in Canberra on 1800 807 071 (Freecall). The mail address of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation is: Council for Aboriginal
Reconciliation Internet address: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/orgs/car/ Email: car@dpmc.gov.au
|
