PrefaceThis booklet contains four draft National Strategies to Advance Reconciliation, developed by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. These strategies provide key elements of the Document for Reconciliation, which also includes a Declaration for Reconciliation. The Council will launch the Document for Reconciliation at Corroboree 2000 in Sydney on 27 May this year. The final Document will also include an introductory chapter (not attached). This will provide context to the Document and include references to Australia’s history, the need for reconciliation, the reasons the Council has developed a Document for Reconciliation and the outcomes of Council’s consultations since 1991. A diagram of Council’s current proposals for the whole Document is included overleaf. The National Strategies provide practical ways to address the many issues that must be resolved to make reconciliation a reality. In developing these strategies, the Council has taken into account views expressed on the broad content of the Draft Strategies through the public consultation it has been undertaking on the draft Document since June 1999. Council is now seeking feedback on the detail of the strategies from people and groups with a specific interest in them. The Council is aware that there is some overlap between the draft strategies and that the document is likely to have more effect if it includes fewer high impact actions. Your suggestions on what you consider should be priorities will assist the Council in developing the strategies, which may therefore look quite different when released in final form. The cover page of each strategy briefly describes its aims. The National Strategy for Economic Independence has a pink cover. The National Strategy to Sustain the Reconciliation Process has a blue cover. The National Strategy to Promote Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights has a purple cover. The National Strategy to Address Disadvantage (orange cover) has been through an earlier consultation process but is attached here for information. The Council is looking to finalise this Strategy at its 11 March 2000 meeting and then provide it to governments prior to Corroboree 2000 to enable them to consider it and announce their commitments to implementation. The Council welcomes responses to the draft strategies but is working to very tight deadlines and needs to receive comments before 4 April. Copies of the draft Declaration for Reconciliation, as circulated for the community consultation in 1999, are available by calling 1800 807 071.
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