The 2025 theme of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is “60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Racial of Discrimination (ICERD)”.
In 1965, the international community adopted a convention, marking a groundbreaking step in the global effort to eradicate racism. The 60th anniversary calls for reflection on progress made against racial discrimination, while highlighting ongoing challenges.
In Australia, racism continues to be an ongoing issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, which can have a profound impact on their health and wellbeing. Experiences of racism in health services can lead to individuals, families and community not feeling culturally safe. This can ultimately lead to disengagement completely from the health system. Therefore, understanding and addressing racism in the sector is key to increasing the uptake of health services and improving health outcomes.
The Department for Health and Aged Care released a new national policy to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the next 10 years. The vision of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031 is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy long, healthy lives that are centred in culture, with access to services that are prevention-focused, culturally safe and responsive, equitable and free of racism.
At JCTS, we are committed to providing high quality cultural safety education and mentorship for GP Registrars to ensure they are equipped with the skills and supported to deliver culturally safe health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Change can only be achieved when Indigenous knowledge and cultures are acknowledged and recognised, and services are co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Islander communities and organisations.
For further information and how you can take action to create change, visit Racism. It Stops With Me.
If you need support, help is available:
- 13YARN (13 92 76),
- Lifeline (13 11 14)
- Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)
