Close the Gap Day 21 March 2024
Close the Gap Day 2024
Voyage to Voice, Treaty, Truth and Beyond.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, individuals, and organisations have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to push for better outcomes and recognition for our communities. The year has seen extraordinary advocacy, action, and strength, as well as steep challenges and deep disappointments, including the defeat of the Voice proposal in the October 2023 Referendum. Despite the setbacks, this report refocuses the narrative on our peoples’ strengths and successes.
It showcases our people’s unwavering commitment to our communities, and our staunch calls for governments and, more broadly, Australia to do more towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition, rights, justice and equity.
The themes of this year’s report are Progressing Voice, Treaty, Truth, Leadership and Governance and Building our Economies. They are explored through case studies, which are exemplars of Blak excellence. The themes speak to economic, social, political and cultural determinants of health that are crucial to commitments by Australian governments to Closing the Gap.
Report Launch Details:
- Report title: “Voyage to Voice, Treaty, Truth and Beyond”.
- Authors: The Lowitja Institute on behalf of the Close the Gap Campaign
- Release date: 20 March 2024
- Delivery method: In person
- Venue: Parliament House, Enid Lyons Alcove, Parliament Drive Canberra, ACT 2600
- Time: 10.00am – 11.30am AEDST
- Please register for the Livestream event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/livestream-close-the-gap-campaign-report-2024-launch-tickets-850488151957
For all 2024 promotional materials please go to Gallery – CLOSE THE GAP
What is Close the Gap Day?
For more than a decade now, Australians from every corner of the country, in schools, businesses and community groups, have shown their support for Close the Gap by marking National Close the Gap Day on the third Thursday in March each year.
This National Close the Gap Day, we have an opportunity to send our governments a clear message that Australians value health equality as a fundamental right for all.
On National Close the Gap Day we encourage you to host an activity in your workplace, home, community or school.
Our aim is to bring people together to share information, and most importantly, to take meaningful action in support of achieving health equality for First Nations Peoples by 2032.
How to get involved in National Close the Gap Day
- Register your activity. You can download some online resources to support your event
- Invite your friends, workmates and family to join you
- Take action by signing the Close the Gap pledge and asking your friends and colleagues to do the same
- Call, tweet or write to your local Member of Parliament and tell them that you want them to Close the Gap
- Listen to and share the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Facebook – visit our Close the Gap Facebook page.(link is external)
- Share your photos and stories on social media. Use the hashtag #ClosetheGap
- Donate to help our work on Close the Gap
With events ranging from workplace morning teas, sports days, school events and public events in hospitals and offices around the country — tens of thousands of people take part each year to make a difference.
Your actions can create lasting change. Be part of the generation that closes the gap.
Start your own activity for Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day will take place on 21 March 2024.
Organising and running a National Close the Gap Day activity is easy and fun.
Each activity plays an important role. By spreading the word, collecting pledges and showing your support, you will help hold governments to account on their commitment towards health equality for all Australians.
Your National Close the Gap Day activity can be any size and shape, even held on a day of your choosing – whatever suits you. What is most important is that you take part and help us demand health equality for First Peoples of Australia.
Start your own activity for Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day will take place on 21 March 2024.
Organising and running a National Close the Gap Day activity is easy and fun
Each activity plays an important role. By spreading the word, collecting pledges and showing your support, you will help hold governments to account on their commitment towards health equality for all Australians.
Your National Close the Gap Day activity can be any size and shape, even held on a day of your choosing – whatever suits you. What is most important is that you take part and help us demand health equality for First Peoples of Australia.
Who holds National Close The Gap Day events?
Workplaces: Express your support for fair health and wellbeing outcomes for all Australians as a team and deliver a positive health message to colleagues. Aligning your organisation with National Close the Gap Day will put your corporate values into action and deliver a positive health message to colleagues.
Schools: All schools in Australia can be supporters and encourage participation in National Close the Gap Day in their own community. Visit our Schools Toolkit for a list of event ideas and curriculum resources.
Sports clubs: Consider holding a National Close the Gap Day competition or round.
Ideas anyone can do:
Love to cook? Host a dinner party/afternoon tea, watch a Close the Gap video and have a discussion about Indigenous health.
Street BBQ? Invite your neighbours over for a BBQ, share photos and join the campaign on online.
Maybe you have an unique idea on how to mark National Close the Gap Day, we would love to hear about it!
Still not sure?
Please register anyway, our team can help you through organising an activity. Just choose the ‘Not sure yet’ option.
We invite members of the public, schools and organisations to support the Close the gap campaign and or donate.
