National Reconciliation Week (NRW), held annually from 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, celebrate our cultures and achievements and explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. 

The 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, speaks to the enduring connection between the past, present and future. It calls on all Australians to walk forward together – guided by the lessons of history – as we continue the journey toward a more just and equitable nation. 

At the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, we are proud to play an active role in this journey. Through our research, partnerships and community engagement, we are committed to building relationships and communities that value and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, cultures and futures. 

To mark National Reconciliation Week 2025, we spoke with Associate Professor Timothy Neale, an anthropologist and STS scholar whose work examines settler–Indigenous relations to land and water and the cultural dimensions of natural hazards, to reflect on this year’s theme and the path forward. 

Why is National Reconciliation Week important? 

Drawing attention to the need for justice in our society is always important, and the ongoing injustices in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and other Australians are too often ignored generally and, as we saw during the recent federal election, seem to be quite marginalised from popular discussion at this moment. The political project of Reconciliation has its critics, no doubt, but I think this week is a vital time to bring greater attention to the inequities of the past and present. 

What does this year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, mean to you?  

Through the advocacy of Indigenous peoples, there have been some great gains in the last few years in a lot of domains and places. Here in Victoria, I am thinking of things like the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the movement towards Treaty, and the rekindling of Indigenous peoples’ custodianship over Country using fire management. This year’s theme reminds us to think about how we can support the next steps or help create pathways to more anti-colonial futures. 

What do you think is the most crucial to making lasting change in the reconciliation journey? 

It’s the change that has not happened yet, but is starting to happen in some fields, which is the move to more equitable relationships between Indigenous peoples and government agencies. Historically, Indigenous peoples have often been treated as stakeholders – one amongst others –  rather than as sovereign peoples. 

How can institutions like universities contribute meaningfully to reconciliation? 

I am not an expert on this by any means. But, this question makes me think of a few things such as, first, universities can continue to reckon with their role in the dispossession of Indigenous peoples in Australia – openly and honestly. Second, they can support the Treaty process here in Victoria by trying to promote greater understanding of this landmark process through our teaching and public advocacy.  

What gives you hope for the future of reconciliation in Australia? 

The strength and spirit of Indigenous communities. 

Reconciliation is everyone’s business. Whether through attending events, learning more about Indigenous histories, or starting conversations in your workplace or community, there are many ways to take part.