NIDA receives formal endorsement by Reconciliation Australia of its inaugural Reflect RAP.
NIDA is excited to launch its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan for 2023 to 2024 which will lay the foundations and prime the educator for future reconciliation initiatives.
The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing NIDA to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own educational and workplace objectives, for the most effective outcomes. The four RAP types— Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new ways.
NIDA has joined a network of more than 2,200 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program. Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for these organisations to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.
‘I was very excited when I joined NIDA in April this year to hear that our first reconciliation action plan was almost complete. The NIDA RAP committee under the guidance of reconciliation Australia have done a great job. This RAP gives NIDA a pathway to support Reconciliation, develop respectful relationships and to create meaningful opportunities with and for, First Nations peoples,’ said NIDA’s Head of First Nations, Travis Cardona.
‘Under the guidance of First Nations Consultant Rhoda Roberts AO, Head of First Nations Travis Cardona, and Uncle in Residence Matthew Doyle, NIDA’s First Nations commitment spans all areas of the organisation and includes building cultural consciousness and awareness, action planning for reconciliation and creating networks to foster and embed First Nations connections across the organisation and into industry. I feel it’s our responsibility to support and amplify the First Nations workforce in the creative industries with world class training and initiatives. A well trained First Nations workforce and a culturally safe performing arts industry is a key component to enable diverse storytelling and cultural awareness for audiences in Australia and around the world’, said NIDA CEO Liz Hughes.
‘Congratulations NIDA, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come’, said Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia.
NIDA’s RAP Committee members are: Travis Cardona, Head of First Nations, Amelia Polaschek, Senior People & Culture Business Partner, Belinda Hoare, Senior Lecturer and Course Convenor, Brian Obiri-Asare Course Coordinator, First Nations Project and Administration Coordinator Andrea Daniels (Yuin/Monaro), Customer Service and Administration Assistant, NIDA Open, Josephine Kiss, Business Development Manager, NIDA Corporate, Paul Prestipino, Head of Sound Design, TTSM, Marie Mitris, Manager, Vocational Studies, VET. Louise O’Sullivan, Head of Customer Experience and Growth Marketing. Advisors to the Committee are Rhoda Roberts AO (Bundjalung), First Nations Consultant and Matthew Doyle, First Nations Uncle in Residence.