Reconciliation Australia’s submission responds to the Department of Social Services’ discussion paper, which would contribute to the development of the Department’s Early Years Strategy.
Reconciliation Australia particularly supported the paper’s focus on:
First Nations, including the imperative for First Nations children to ‘have the right to thrive and grow up healthy, supported by strong families and proud in culture,’ enriched and empowered by community-led, holistic early childhood outcomes.
International obligations, including active respect for, and commitment to, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Strengths-based and evidence-based approaches, including those which actively recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge bases.
Relationships with other Commonwealth Government strategies, including both the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Early Childhood Strategy.
