Three years ago, we commenced our reconciliation journey with our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The engagement we’ve received as an organisation, along with the stories from various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples we’ve met on this journey, continues to inspire us.
Through learning about the long and ancient culture of the First Peoples of Australia, we grow in understanding, respect, and admiration for their relationship with the land. The Reflect RAP has introduced us to languages, music, customs, aquaculture techniques and stories.
As a multi-cultural workplace focused on improving diversity and inclusion, we continue to grow in compassion and understanding as an organisation and individually. We’re inspired to continue our journey of reconciliation as we embark on the Innovate RAP phase, which received the endorsement of Reconciliation Australia in November 2021.
The Innovate RAP phase will span two years, building on the learnings and progress of our earlier Reflect RAP. This includes:
- Continuing to improve our value to society through the implementation of screening and onboarding of suppliers who meet our Supplier Code of Conduct, and increasing our relationships and collaboration with First Nations suppliers.
- Providing opportunities for ongoing education and understanding through community initiatives, events and engagement within the First Nations communities, our employees are encouraged to learn and help path the way to reconciliation.
- Our national footprint helps to provide traineeships and career pathways to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within a science-led organisation.
It’s a time to strengthen foundations and relationships with our First Nations peoples. Our continued commitment to reconciliation provides opportunities to forge new relationships with focus on sustainable, and more impactful RAP results as we progress through the Innovate RAP phase and beyond.
For more information on our RAP plan and community work please contact AU.Community@sgs.com.
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
Artwork by Sheila Humphries.