Foreword
Community Legal Centres NSW (CLCNSW) recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face significant barriers in access to justice. The CLCNSW Reconciliation Action Plan (the Plan) has been developed to provide our organisation and our member Community Legal Centres (CLCs) with a clear way to develop and implement strategies that will enable us to address these barriers.
CLCs have a proud history of striving for a fair and just society for all, particularly for those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We are committed to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to assist in the development of social and legal rights for all.
The growth and maintenance of strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other CLC staff within the CLC sector symbolically and practically represents the relationships at large between Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities and Community Legal Centres throughout NSW. CLCNSW is committed to supporting CLCs to employ and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, as well as maintaining and increasing meaningful engagement between CLCs and their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Reconciliation Action Plan acknowledges the importance of developing strong effective relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to inform the services delivered by CLCs. The Plan demonstrates our commitment for the bringing together of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures and a broader community understanding in every aspect of the Plan.
We are committed to ensuring that the perspectives, values and experiences of CLC staff, clients and stakeholders are valued, respected and acknowledged in all levels of service delivery for CLCs. As a legal sector, our written policies, and the practices that follow, should enshrine our shared values and achievable goals. In conjunction with our existing Aboriginal Employment Strategy, we continue, through this Plan, to be committed to providing real and meaningful employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at all levels of service delivery. The Plan outlines measurable targets, including how we will report on achievements to our sector and stakeholders.
This is an exciting period for our communities and our sector. I look forward to the journey ahead as we build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities around New South Wales to work to achieve access to justice for all.
Nassim Arrage
Chairperson
July 2014