ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand yesterday announced the launch of its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), cementing its commitment towards reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples, as well as embedding positive and sustainable cultural change.
Developed within the framework of Reconciliation Australia’s RAP program, the ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand RAP centres around the company building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations, networks and education bodies. It will also promote reconciliation with internal and external stakeholders and within the media as a whole.
In the coming year, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand will expand its NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week activities to celebrate and empower our First Nations peers and deliver content that acknowledges and champions the diverse histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand said: “As leaders in delivering and creating premium content for all Australians, we’re proud to use our voice to advocate a future of cultural understanding and inclusion with First Nations people, as well as leverage our platform to work towards Reconciliation.
“We have a responsibility to drive this change, not only within our own organisation, but within society.”
Karen Mundine, Chief Executive Officer, Reconciliation Australia said: “We are so pleased to welcome the first commercial free-to-air television network to become a partner in reconciliation through our Reconciliation Action Plan program.
“ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand now join over 1,100 organisations with active RAPs generating economic and behavioural transformation with far-reaching, positive impacts. The RAP shows outstanding commitment from production through to recruitment, retention and professional development strategy.”
From celebrating First Nations cultures and histories to providing more education and employment opportunities, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand are excited to advocate for a more inclusive future.
Artist: Jade Dolman is a Whadjuk/Balladong Nyoongar (Mother’s side), Eastern Arrernte (Father’s side) woman from Perth. She is a visual artist and remains connected to her culture through painting and family. She has a passion for making a change through art for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Her purpose is to highlight that all land is traditional country which our ancestors have practiced culture on for thousands of years. Her murals and public art are a contemporary continuation of traditional culture.