abc reconciliation action plan for the years 2009-2012

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ABC RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

FOR THE YEARS 2009-2012

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ABC RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN FOR THE YEARS 2009-2012

OCTOBER 2009

WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION’S FIRST RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN.

The ABC plays a vital role in the lives of Australians everywhere. As the national broadcaster the ABC is committed to acknowledging and valuing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, their heritage and culture, increasing employment opportunities and developing content.

With this Plan, and consistent with our ABC values of Integrity, Respect, Collegiality and Innovation the ABC is making a proactive and long-term commitment to improving opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in four key areas:

• Cultural Understanding and Respect

• Employment

• Content

• Community Links

We strongly support and welcome this Reconciliation Action Plan which is an important framework for us to set and meet clear targets to improve the recognition and engagement of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in the activities of the ABC.

Maurice Newman AC Mark Scott

Chairman Managing Director

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OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

The ABC acknowledges the uniqueness and

distinctiveness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and their rights to cultural expression.

We recognize the rich contribution these cultures make to the diversity of the Australian community, and the part they play in contributing to Australian identity and society. The ABC also recognizes the diversity that exists within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

OUR BUSINESS

The ABC is an independent national broadcaster operating under the ABC Act and Charter. The ABC provides innovative and comprehensive broadcasting and online services of a high standard. The ABC contributes to and reflects Australia’s national identity, fosters creativity and the arts, and encourages cultural diversity.

OUR RAP

The development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the ABC has involved wide consultation including the ABC Advisory Council, the ABC’s Indigenous Advisory Council – the Bonner Committee, ABC Divisions and Indigenous Reference Groups, States &

Territories, Policy Managers and interested individuals.

The ABC’s RAP objectives have been aligned with the ABC’s Corporate Plan and the ABC Act & Charter. The information and feedback gathered has been reviewed and mapped to a RAP template, with an aim to set targets of substance.

Note: In this document Indigenous Australians refers to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people Attachment: Indigenous Culture in the ABC

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RESPECT

RESPECT Respect for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, culture, land & history is important to the ABC.

Enhanced understanding will assist all areas of our business

Focus area: Cultural understanding and Respect

Action Responsibility Timeline Measurable Target

1.1 Development and roll out of the

“Indigenous Culture in the ABC”

program for staff – see attachment

P & L Pilot in SA. Other States &

Territories to follow by 2011

* Delivery statistics - numbers of staff attending and completing the Indigenous Culture in the ABC program (following agreement on rollout plan)

* Participants evaluation and feedback 1.2 Use of appropriate cultural

protocols including Acknowledgement or “Welcome to Country” at events

State & Territory Directors Reviewed annually * Development of ABC guidelines for protocol

* Events held where Indigenous protocols are observed 1.3 Promotion and support for the

Bonner Committee, the ABC’s Indigenous Advisory group

Director ABC International (State &

Territory Directors)

December 09 & reviewed annually

Biennial review of the Bonner Committee to provide wide representation, Indigenous networking and feedback to the Corporation

1.4 Acknowledgement of, and involvement in NAIDOC activities

State & Territory Directors & All

Divisions Reviewed annually ABC NAIDOC activities & flag raisings held across the country

1.5 Internal & External Communication about the Indigenous website:

http://abc.net.au/indigenous/

TV/All Content Divisions and Corporate

Communications Reviewed annually

Articles published, internally & externally to improve awareness of Indigenous achievement and activity in the ABC

1.6 Establishment a new Indigenous site on the upgraded Intranet

P&L, Divisional Indigenous Reference

Groups and the Bonner Committee December 2010 Feedback from staff on site and its usefulness

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OPPORTUNITIES - EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES - EMPLOYMENT Opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities are important to the ABC as we strive to comprehensively & fairly reflect national identity

Focus area: Employment

2.1 The ABC will seek to achieve an

initial 2% Indigenous staff level All Divisions December 2012 Progress against an initial 2% national target, to be reviewed upwards, and actual number of staff reported quarterly 2.2 The ABC will support the biennial

Indigenous Staff Conference, including Careers Day for Indigenous students

P & L and all Divisions October 2009 & October 2011

* All Divisions to support staff attendance at the Conference

* All Divisions to contribute to the Careers Days as appropriate 2.3 The ABC will actively participate in the

National Indigenous Cadetship Program, targeting at least 6 internships annually

P & L and Divisional Indigenous

Reference Groups Annually by December

* Six internships annually – two each from News, Radio & TV

* Number of additional internships in other Divisions, as appropriate

2.4 The ABC will target twenty positions to increase Indigenous staffing

Reference Groups January 2012

Progress towards twenty new appointments in accordance with guidelines and policy developed by P & L and

Divisional Indigenous Reference Groups 2.5 The ABC will present annual

internal Indigenous Scholarships for career development

P & L and all Divisions Annually by July Two scholarships awarded 2.6 The ABC will target Indigenous

staff for Leadership programs P & L and all Divisions Annually by December Placements in programs 2.7 The ABC will develop Induction

and Mentoring support for new Indigenous staff

Reference Groups December 2010 Framework developed and implemented with new staff (informal arrangements in the interim)

2.8 The ABC will provide a structured national work experience/internship program implemented on a State and Territory basis for up to five Indigenous people per year in each State and Territory

P&L, Divisions and State and Territory

Directors Annually by July

Numbers of Indigenous work experience placements per State and Territory per annum

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OPPORTUNITIES – CONTENT

OPPORTUNITIES – CONTENT Opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities are important to the ABC as we strive to comprehensively & fairly reflect national identity

Focus area: Content

3.1a The ABC will seek to reflect a stronger Indigenous presence in ABC content, and in subsequent scheduling and marketing/promotion

3.1b The ABC will seek to integrate Indigenous people into the content making process including new projects eg Radio Broadband Hubs , TV

Children’s Channel

Radio

TV Annually by December

Each nominated Division to define and implement a suitable measurement process (with Divisional Indigenous Reference Group). Benchmarks to be established in the first year and targets set thereafter Increased number of Indigenous content makers in output Divisions

Number of projects where Indigenous people are participating as content makers

3.2 The ABC will target and develop

Indigenous on air presenters TV, Radio, News Annually by December

* Numbers of Indigenous staff who have performed in on air roles

* Development plans for key Indigenous presenters 3.3 The ABC will implement a

mentoring & scholarship program for Indigenous researchers & producers involving a 12 month plan of

placements across output Divisions

P & L, News, TV and Radio Annually by December

starting in 2010 A minimum of two scholarships awarded per year

3.4 The ABC will actively seek a range of Indigenous talent and guests for programs

TV, Radio, News, International &

Commercial Annually by December

Numbers of Indigenous guests and talent contributing to all ABC content - Each nominated Division to define and implement a suitable measurement process (with Divisional Indigenous Reference Group). Benchmarks to be established in the first year and targets set thereafter

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RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS Respectful relationships between Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people are important to the ABC

Focus area: Community links

4. The ABC will build projects and strategic partnerships with external organizations – Indigenous, Government, community and cultural - to create pathways for Indigenous employment and inclusion in ABC activity

P & L and State & Territory Directors Annually by Dec

Range of projects and partnerships developed via:

• Divisional Indigenous Reference Groups

• State & Territory Directors

• The Bonner Committee

• The ABC’s Mentoring & Scholarship program

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TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING

TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING

The ABC will set up a RAP Monitoring

Group Executive Leadership Group December 09

RAP Monitoring Group to establish meetings and timetable for reporting internally and for

Reconciliation Australia

Divisional Indigenous Reference

Groups to continue to meet All participating Divisions Ongoing Specific Divisional achievements for Indigenous targets

State & Territory Indigenous Working

Groups to be established State & Territory Directors December 09 Local opportunities to improve Indigenous activity identified - both internal & external

RAP uploaded Corporate Communications & RAP

Monitoring Group November 09 RAP uploaded on ABC & Reconciliation Australia

websites

Refresh RAP RAP Monitoring Group Annually RAP will be reviewed & refreshed and placed on ABC

& Reconciliation Australia websites

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INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN THE ABC LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

THE ABC IS PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE

INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR ALL STAFF TO

ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN AUSTRALIA AND THE ABC.

Indigenous Culture in the ABC is an initiative, developed for ABC staff, to increase their knowledge about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples around Australia. The package consists of face-to-face learning and an on-line interactive tool, with Indigenous developers, facilitators, ABC customisation and information and contact on a state level.

Outcomes of the Awareness Program

• Work groups consist of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and it is beneficial for all employees to know more about indigenous culture, protocols and the similarities and differences of life experiences.

• This learning will fill gaps in knowledge, can challenge assumptions and stereotypes and will show the breadth of Indigenous languages, customs, locations and accomplishments while also telling the stories of Indigenous peoples through Australian history.

• For non-Indigenous Australians it is essential to know more about the culture of the original peoples of this country and to share this with others both within the ABC and externally. It is important to know the history and to experience the cross-cultural journey.

• Indigenous staff and potential employees will be supported and encouraged by the program and discussion of Indigenous culture in the ABC. Indigenous staff will also learn about aspects of history and background of the diverse Indigenous communities around Australia.

• The learning will encourage and provide ideas and opportunities for program makers to broaden Indigenous content, contacts and the selection of Indigenous talent, interviewees and presenters across all platforms of the ABC.

This initiative is one of the major strategies included in the Respect Section of the ABC’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2009-2012:

Respect for Indigenous people, culture, land & history to the ABC. Enhanced understanding will assist all areas of our business.

TheIndigenous Culture in the ABCprogram will be available to all ABC employees in all States and Territories over the life of the Reconciliation Action Plan.

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