Reconciliation in action

Escient Principal Consultant, David Pink, discusses why Escient is investing in a Reconciliation Action Plan and why it is important to acknowledge this during Reconciliation Week. 

Escient is a company with a strong social purpose and desire to support organisations, causes and initiatives in meaningful ways.  The CEO Sleepout and Black Dog Institute are just two which Escient support. We are proud to say we are embarking on a new and incredibly important journey – that being the development of our (Reflect) Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).  

Since 2006, RAPs have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.  Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.  

Escient regularly, through our national and regional company forums, seek to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We do this through the Acknowledgement of Country, introducing insights and discussions across our communication channels and supporting significant First Nation ‘days’ and activities.

However, we want to extend and mature our commitment. Through our RAP we are formulating a plan of sincere and tangible actions we can take into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities which, we hope, will provide positive change.  

But the development of a RAP is also a journey in educating ourselves as individuals, and collectively as an organisation, of the amazingly diverse and rich culture, significant contributions, and tragic history of Australia’s First Peoples.   

While we are only at the beginning of our journey having established our RAP Working Group and partnering with our amazing external consultant Maria Watson-Trudgett from the Wiradjuri people of New South, we are tremendously excited to formalise our commitment to reconciliation through the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Reconciliation Week is 27^th May – 3^rd June, with the theme, “Be Brave.  Make Change”; as Escientists we plan to make change. What change can you make?