The journey has begun: Our road to reconciliation

Escient’s road to reconciliation has begun.

Over the past 15 months, we transformed a desire for action into a tangible and meaningful outcome with the endorsement of our inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The journey was initiated by staff who are genuinely committed to reconciliation and felt compelled to drive sincere, proactive action at Escient. Our people are passionate about helping to shape the future. Building our RAP is a natural progression of this commitment and a way we can play an active role in driving positive change.  

We set out to develop a RAP that was considered, sensitive and sustainable, and that would have a tangible impact within Escient, our communities, and First Nations peoples within our sphere of influence.

Our first step was to define our vision.

The development of our vision for reconciliation was a considered process utilising conversation, collaboration and education. We immersed ourselves in our learning to better understand the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their languages, craft, storytelling, and traditions. With the expert guidance of Aboriginal Consultant and Artist, Maria Watson-Trudgett, we embraced the journey and grew through the experience. Maria, of the Wiradjuri people, became our mentor, teacher, collaborator, and ultimately, a member of the Escient family.

Through her beautiful and thoughtful artwork, Maria brought our reconciliation vision to life. ‘Positive Steps for Positive Change’ reflects Escient’s journey towards reconciliation and our desire to build and nurture respectful, reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and employees.

The artwork has become our guiding light, our anchor to our mission and is a source of inspiration for the Escient team overall. It is proudly displayed in all Escient offices and serves as a vibrant, visual reminder of our reconciliation vision.

Our endorsed Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is a courageous but sustainable plan that seeks to strengthen our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, our communities, and employees. It holds us accountable and brings transparency to our reconciliation efforts.

There are many people to thank. A village helped us accomplish this milestone.

Thank you Maria Watson-Trudgett whose cultural insights, creativity, and warmth guides us on this journey. 

To our Escient RAP working group – our Executive Sponsor, Stephen Kovacs; Robyn Chandler, Amy Edwards, Paul Sharp, Jarrod McComas, and Amita Nair. Your passion and commitment has paved the way forward our organisation.  

And to Landmark Studios and Tom Crosby, who developed one of the most beautiful RAP documents we have seen yet.

We are all incredibly proud of this milestone and look forward to the next stages of our reconciliation journey.

About the authors

David Pink, Director

My involvement in the Escient RAP has been not only to start learning and understanding more through the actions we can take, but to begin a personal journey of knowing more about the oldest living culture, which every Australian should be proud of and celebrate.

Our Escient RAP enables me to be in a better position to empower my children’s understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and diverse cultures. Together we can acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Amy Edwards, Senior Consultant

Participating in the development of our RAP has provided a wonderful opportunity to further my  understanding about the lands and diverse cultures of First Nations communities, both locally and across Australia.

Through these learnings, I can partake in reflective and honest conversations among colleagues and friends to encourage cultural awareness and celebrate the cultures, determination and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

I look forward to further advancing and embedding our organisation’s reconciliation commitments to ensure they are impactful and sustainable.