All In for Children and Families - Reconciliation Week 2026
26 May 2026
There is something we all share as Australians – we all want safety for our children and for them to be able to grow with lots of opportunity. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience more hardship than their peers and Reconciliation Week is a perfect time to embrace the relationships that can change this for the future.
Reconciliation is a pretty simple concept – it is all about strengthening relationships - listening, learning, and taking steps forward in ways that are centred on respect, honesty and shared responsibility.
This week is a chance to take steps towards better relationships that will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as they carry forward the world’s oldest living culture. This is something we can all celebrate and be proud of.
It’s these relationships and a shared responsibility that Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine spoke of when discussing this year’s theme – All in.
“Reconciliation isn’t the responsibility of First Nations peoples alone. We have carried the weight of championing, explaining, and acting for far too long.
‘The work that remains, requires all of us to join the reconciliation team. This call is not about guilt or shame but about the responsibility and reciprocity of being Australian.”
Allies for Children are a network of organisations committed to Target 12 of Closing the Gap.
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are best placed to care for their children, and that children grow and flourish when they are connected to family, culture and community. Supporting this means continuing to change how we engage together and dismantle systems that do not serve children - and in place, choose approaches that advance self-determination.
Our role is to stand alongside First Nations leaders and community-controlled organisations - backing solutions led by community and working together in the best interests of children and families.
As a sector, going All In means taking practical steps that contribute to lasting change. This includes:
Listening deeply to learn and allowing that learning to shape how we work alongside children, families and communities
Modelling change in our own organisations by addressing our own practices that sustain systems that are not in the best interests of children and being active in our anti-racism efforts
Sharing our learnings, and encouraging and influencing other mainstream organisations to join us and back in community-led solutions
Advocating for First Nations led approaches that help ensure children can grow up connected to their families, culture and identity.
Learn more about Allies for Children’s actions towards Closing the Gap Target 12.
We are keen to talk with anyone interested in our joint efforts. Getting in touch is easy, just email alliesforchildrensecretariat@lwb.org.au or contact us.
Visit the National Reconciliation Week website for more information.