Day One: Wednesday 6 November
The urgent work of reconciliation
The work of reconciliation needs a commitment to listen and act on the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we heard at National Reconciliation Week 2024, Now More than Ever, reconciliation supporters must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples.
Truth-telling enables a fuller and more accurate account of Australia’s history to recognise the strength and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It acknowledges the historical silencing of injustices and ongoing impacts of colonisation on First Nations people. Truth-telling is fundamental to advancing reconciliation.
11:30am – 12:00pm
Opening of Convention
Join us as we kick off the first reconciliation gathering in more than 20 years with a very special opening ceremony, featuring Welcome to Country by Aunty Yvonne Weldon, Smoking Ceremony with Matthew Doyle, and performances by the Jannawi Dance Clan and Marcus Corowa. Official welcomes by Karen Mundine, Reconciliation Australia CEO, and His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
12:00pm – 12:30pm
Opening plenary: Moving Reconciliation from Safe to Brave
Reconciliation is more than raising awareness and knowledge. As a nation, and importantly, as individuals, we need to move from ‘safe’ to ‘brave’ action to expedite change and ultimately achieve reconciliation and justice.
with Professor Tom Calma and Melinda Cilento
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Plenary: Honouring the Past
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, a work in progress, but the progress is impressive. Let’s never lose sight of those who paved the way, of our achievements to date, and how we can build on those foundations.
Speakers: Fred Chaney, Dr Jackie Huggins, Uncle Bill Lowah and Shelley Reys
Chair: Kerry O’Brien
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Lunch - use this time to take a break, grab some lunch and explore the Virtual Gathering Place
2:15pm – 3:00pm
Breakout stream: Reconciliation Australia 20 years on: How did we get here? How do we move forward?
2021 marks the 30th year of Australia’s reconciliation process and the national project of reconciliation continues. These sessions review key areas of work so far in education, repatriation, truth-telling and racism, and what we can learn from these efforts to move forward.
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Plenary: Moving the Dial on Racism
Australians like to be appalled by racism, but we often can’t hear the hard truths about why it is so persistent. Why is racism so hard to shift? What are the keys to a racism-free future?
Speakers: Belinda Duarte and Dr John Davis
Chair: Benjamin Law
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Daily Wrap Up
