Engineers Australia Reconciliation Action Plan for the Period 2011 - 2015
Our vision for reconciliation Engineers Australia has a profound opportunity to have a significant impact on living conditions, life expectancy and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians through the application of the diverse skills of its members. Engineering skills are acknowledged world wide as being instrumental in the improvement of living conditions and life expectancy of persons living in disadvantaged communities. Engineers can work together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to achieve meaningful change through mutual respect to create an engineering community that is culturally aware and able to share in the mutual benefits of reconciliation.
Our business Engineers Australia is a member-based organisation that comprises Professional Engineers, Engineering Technologists and Engineering Associates (engineering practitioners). We have a role in advocacy to Governments as well as monitoring and accrediting tertiary education programs. We also provide opportunities for, monitor and assess the continuing professional development of our members to ensure that their qualifications and experience remain appropriate. Engineers Australia provides leadership to the engineering profession to support their involvement in making and creating engineering solutions for a sustainable future.
Our RAP This Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will guide our members in the understanding of the cultural and traditional values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and will help members to provide a positive contribution to Closing the Gap. The RAP has been developed under the guidance of a Steering Committee established by our National Council. It has been informed by wide consultation with our membership and with a reference group consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. The RAP is a living document and its implementation and regular review will be overseen by a dedicated group of volunteers and staff of Engineers Australia.
Relationships
The engineering community impacts on all aspects of people’s lives, through its involvement in infrastructure; health and medical devices; manufacturing; environmental protection and rehabilitation; provision of energy; and water and sanitation for all areas where people live and work. Engineers Australia assists our members in building good relationships with the communities in which they operate. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people. By assisting our members to develop a strong understanding of issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we are able to build a stronger and more sustainable Australia.
Focus area: Disseminating information to facilitate understanding as a basis for building better relationships Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Inform members about the reconciliation agenda and about Engineers Australia’s RAP and encourage members participation in RAPs
Division Presidents
October 2011
Information provided to members about the issues around “the Gap” via the Engineers Australia website and in the Engineers Australia Magazine in at least one issue in 2011. Information sessions for members held in 3 Divisions in 2011, and 6 divisions in 2012.
Develop a platform for members to share their experiences in different communities to provide guidance to other members
Steering Committee Administrator
Dec 2011
Website developed to allow members to post experiences and share information.
Promote a better understanding to members about relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Engineers Australia RAP Steering Committee
February 2012
Guidance material developed and disseminated via the website. A promotion and engagement strategy developed and implemented.
Engage with related building, construction and engineering associations on the development of their own RAP to share learning and build our capacity in this sector
Division Presidents
Twice a year beginning September 2011
Two meetings held per year with other associations to share learning and encourage the development of their own RAP.
National President to encourage Engineers Australia Divisions to develop ongoing contact with relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to help inform future actions
Division Presidents
August 2011
Local RAP reference groups established with relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation to facilitate ongoing consultation.
Respect
Engineers Australia can effectively enhance the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the broader Australian community by assisting our members to understand, value, accept and respect the culture and experiential differences across Australia
Focus area: Developing an understanding of the importance of culture, country and history to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Develop and promulgate acknowledgement of traditional owners, and Engineers Australia Welcome to Country guidelines and protocols RAP Steering Committee and senior staff
Starting Sept 2011
Traditional owners acknowledged at meetings in accordance with the guidelines and a Welcome to Country by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to be conducted at major public events.
Encourage activities to promote or acknowledge days of importance on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Calendar such as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People and National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week and recognition of other days of importance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians
National Vice President CSR
Completed by A calendar of key dates and activities developed and disseminated to allow integration into Division planning cycles where appropriate. November each year, commencing in November 2011
Provide opportunities for members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to present at conferences and workshops
Division Directors and Beginning January Director Engineering 2012 Practice
Identify opportunities to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engineering Heritage engineering heritage Australia
Guidelines made available on the web.
Beginning August 2011
5 opportunities provided per annum at significant meetings and conferences. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engineering projects nominated to Engineering Heritage Australia for recognition.
Opportunities
Engineers Australia will encourage better educational opportunities to provide pathways from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to the engineering profession. There are low numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engineering practitioners. Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engineering practitioners will provide opportunities to influence the provision of infrastructure and other engineering services to their own and the wider community. We will encourage members to volunteer and provide their services to activities relating to Closing the Gap.
Focus area: Promoting education opportunities Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Explore opportunities to further engage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schools programs
Division Committees
2012
Engineers Australia engaged with the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School Programs and Engineering Aid Australia.
Encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to take up engineering as a career
Division Committees
2012
Expansion of EngQuest program to schools with high populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Seek opportunities to inform and influence educators to inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about engineering as a career opportunity
Director Marketing 2013 and Communications
Feasibility of educator program investigated.
Promote Engineers Without Borders (EWB) activities that relate to Closing the Gap to our members
National Councillors
Commence Sept 2011
Links on website. Ongoing promotion by Councillors, volunteers and staff in interactions with members.
Dec 2011 and maintain and update at least annually
Database to be developed and be accessible through the Engineers Australia website by December 2011.
Build a database of programs and organisations that will provide Engineers Australia engineers with opportunities to volunteer their services for the benefit RAP Steering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Committee
Influence government and corporate policies related to Aboriginal and National Councillors Beginning Jan 2012 Identify an activity in each Division and Nationally that Engineers Torres Strait Islander issues through participation in relevant national & Division Presidents Australia could influence. and local policy setting activities
Tracking progress and reporting Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
RAP available to members and the public
Steering Committee Administrator
August 2011
RAP registered on Reconciliation Australia website and available on EA website.
RAP implementation progressed and monitored through RAP Steering Committee
Engineers Australia RAP Steering Committee
Meet every six months
RAP Steering Committee to meet six monthly to review progress, with input from RAP Reference Group.
RAP annual report
National Vice President CSR
October each year
The RAP report will be published as a standalone document on Reconciliation Australia’s and EA’s website and a dedicated section in the Engineers Australia Annual Report for the preceding financial year.
RAP refreshed
National Vice President CSR
Refreshed RAP endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and available on Reconciliation Australia’s and EA’s websites
Endorsed out-of-session by the Council of Engineers Australia, July 14 2011