.svg)
Get ready to join the movement on March 21 for National Close the Gap Day! This special day was inaugurated in Australia in 2007 in order to boost awareness about the health and life expectancy disparity between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. It serves as a reminder to us all that we should strive for a more equal world, where everybody's rights to good health are respected. National Close the Gap Day gives us the chance to come together, learn more about these challenges, and actively participate in creating solutions. Join in, because together, we can create a fairer, more inclusive society where everyone's treated equally!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Close the Gap Campaign Launch</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Close the Gap campaign started in response to a call by Indigenous health leaders to address health inequalities faced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inauguration of National Close the Gap Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Australia recognized the first National Close the Gap Day to raise awareness about the health and life expectancy disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Government's Formal Response</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Australian government made a signed commitment to achieving health equality within a generation, largely owing to the Close the Gap campaign.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Congress Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The establishment of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples provided a national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Progress Report</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Close the Gap Campaign released a 10-year review outlining progress and emphasizing the need to keep health equality as national priority.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Agreement on New Targets</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Agreement on Closing the Gap was established, setting 16 measurable targets focused on improving outcomes in areas like education, employment, health, and justice for indigenous Australians.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in Educational Workshops</h3><p class='facts-text'>Join or form educational workshops to learn more about the Indigenous cultures of Australia. Understanding and acknowledging the rich history and traditions of these people is key in closing the gap.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Support Indigenous Businesses</h3><p class='facts-text'>Make a concerted effort to support businesses owned by Indigenous people not just on this day, but throughout the year. This can create a significant economic impact and further promote their increased participation in society.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Engage in Conversations</h3><p class='facts-text'>Open up a dialogue with your friends, family, and colleagues about the health and life expectancy disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Raising awareness is a significant part of understanding and solving this issue.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to Indigenous Health Programs</h3><p class='facts-text'>Donate money or resources to organizations that direct their efforts towards improved healthcare for Indigenous communities. Your financial help can go a long way towards bridging this gap.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Promote Indigenous Culture</h3><p class='facts-text'>Share art, literature, music, and other cultural contributions of Indigenous peoples on your social media. This can help celebrate their cultural heritage and raise awareness about the need for greater equality.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes Equality and Justice</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Close the Gap Day is a good reminder about the importance of equal health opportunities and health outcomes for everyone. It initiates conversations about how we can bridge the gap between the health and life expectancy of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages Learning and Understanding</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The day provides a great opportunity to learn more about Indigenous cultures, traditions, and history. By understanding their experiences, we can better appreciate their value to our diversity and recognize the need to protect their rights.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Emphasizes Community Participation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Close the Gap Day is not only for promoting awareness but for encouraging everyone's participation in achieving equity. Whether it is through supporting Indigenous businesses, participating in educational workshops, or donating to Indigenous health programs, everyone has a role to play.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Close the Gap Day is Recognized by Major Organizations</h3><p class='facts-text'>This holiday is supported by a number of significant organizations, including Oxfam Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, further highlighting its importance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Indigenous Australians have a Rich History Dated Back Thousands of Years</h3><p class='facts-text'>The Indigenous peoples of Australia have a history that spans over 65,000 years, making them some of the world's oldest cultures.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Gap in Health and Life Expectancy is Significant</h3><p class='facts-text'>On average, an Indigenous person is likely to live about 10 years less than a non-Indigenous person. This disparity is what inspired the creation of National Close the Gap Day. </p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many Indigenous Australians Speak Languages Other than English at Home</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite facing considerable challenges for preservation, many Indigenous languages are still spoken at home, affirming the linguistic diversity of this culture group.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Close the Gap Day is an International Inspiration</h3><p class='facts-text'>The campaign has inspired similar initiatives in countries around the world, drawing attention to health disparities faced by indigenous populations globally.</p></div></div>
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
