INTRODUCTION
To underscore this commitment, this report explores
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in forging
effective partnerships to transform health and wellbeing
policies and programs, and provide strengths-based,
community-driven solutions. Mainstream government
organisations must genuinely commit to each of the
transformation elements to truly facilitate change and
break down these systems of control.
Since 2009 the Close the Gap Campaign Steering
Committee has delivered an annual report. Initially this
report was focused as a ‘shadow’ report to the Australian
Government Report on Closing the Gap, which provided
an analysis of policy and program commitments under
the Closing the Gap Strategy.
In 2019 a decision was made to shift the Close the Gap
Campaign Report to a strengths-based analysis of good
health through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
narrative. That approach has seen recent reports focused
on the following priority areas:
• 2020 Report – We Nurture our Culture for our Future,
and our Culture Nurtures Us, examining the themes
of culture through self-determination and leadership,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beliefs and
knowledge, cultural expression and continuity, and
connection to Country.
• 2021 Report – Leadership and Legacy through
Crises: Keeping Our Mob Safe, examining the themes
of culturally empowered solutions to protecting
communities from COVID-19, asset-based and holistic
approaches for addressing climate change, and
resilience and protective factors for social and emotional
wellbeing.
The Close the Gap Campaign continues to adopt a
strengths-based approach in our 2022 annual report,
telling stories of transformation and success through
the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples. The collective advocacy, strength and resilience
of our communities has transformed the Close the Gap
Campaign to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderled solutions are recognised as the most effective way to
improve health outcomes for our people.
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Transforming Power: Voices for Generational Change
This report focuses on three key themes:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led
transformation, gender justice: equality and equity,
and allyship.
Three key themes of this report:
Transformation
Gender justice:
equality and equity
Allyship
It features nine case studies that demonstrate the
essential role of Aboriginal and Torres Islander-led
decision-making and self-determination, and the need
for reflection and accountability from governments and
mainstream services. We believe each one is an exemplar
of cultural strength and should lift expectations of what
can be achieved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health and wellbeing through innovative, culturally safe,
community-driven solutions.