National Reconcilation Action Week 2025
The annual National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) provides an opportunity to engage meaningfully with First Nations culture, truth-telling, and living history. At the ACA, we recommend starting with Reconciliation Australia’s national calendar of events, which outlines public activities happening throughout the week.
Is your practice hosting an event you’d like others in the design community to attend? Add it to the calendar and let us know as well!
Access Reconciliation Australia’s events calendar here.
At the ACA, our commitment to reconciliation stems from our belief that a more diverse, equitable and sustainable architectural profession benefits everyone. While we’re early in our journey to understand Country and its profound significance to First Nations peoples, we recognise our responsibility to champion reconciliation throughout the built environment community, engaging members, colleagues and friends in this important work.
This year’s theme is Bridging Now to Next, a phrase Reconciliation Australia describes as a “call to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us”. This is a concept that resonates deeply within architecture, where we consistently draw on history to shape innovative buildings and vibrant communities.
Of course, the spirit of reconciliation must continue beyond 3 June. We remain dedicated to expanding our First Nations Understanding portal, offering essential resources that help practitioners deepen their knowledge of First Nations perspectives and Country-responsive design practices. As active members of the Architecture and Design RAP Ring’s core organising group, we value the diverse viewpoints and thought-provoking discussions that enhance our collective reconciliation journey.
We encourage practices and individuals beginning their reconciliation journeys to explore the wealth of resources available through Reconciliation Australia’s website, which offers guidance and thoughtful frameworks for meaningful engagement. These are some of our favourite links to spark reflection and ideas:
- A guide to using inclusive, respectful language
- A guide to working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists
- A guide to developing your vision for reconciliation
- An introduction to the three core pillars of RAPs: relationships, respect and opportunities
- A guide to developing a business case for a RAP
- A guide to thinking broadly about the stakeholders impacted by your organisation.
As we celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we encourage you to embrace this time as an opportunity to both learn and share. Whether attending an event, hosting a discussion in your practice, or simply deepening your understanding of First Nations perspectives, every engagement matters on our collective reconciliation journey.