Accessibility | Accessibility means making things easy for everyone to use, especially for people with different abilities or needs. It involves designing and organising things so that everyone, regardless of any challenges they might have, can access and use them comfortably. The goal is to create environments, products, or services that are inclusive and welcoming to everyone. |
Acknowledgement of Country | An Acknowledgement of Country is a way of showing respect for, awareness of and acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which a meeting or event occurs. It has always been in place in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Anyone can acknowledge Country and pay respect to the First Nations people of the Country on which the event or meeting is taking place. It is different than a Welcome to Country. |
Co-Design | Co-design is when a group of people works together to make or enhance something. They share ideas, listen to each other, and make changes based on everyone's input. This process involves multiple rounds of collaboration, with feedback gathered and used to improve the project. It's like a team effort where everyone's thoughts matter, ensuring that the outcome is good for everyone. This continuous process allows for adjustments based on what works best for everyone involved. |
Closed Practice | A closed cultural practice is like a special tradition or activity that is limited to people within a specific cultural group. It's something that is kept within the community, and people from outside that group cannot take part in it unless they are invited. Having closed practices can help a cultural group retain a strong cultural identity and preserve its unique customs, rituals, or knowledge. If practices are used by others without meaning or context, they can devalue and disrespect the proper cultural meanings. A closed practice is different from an open practice. |
Cultivate | To ‘cultivate’ means to nurture, grow, or develop something, such as skills, relationships, or qualities. It involves fostering and tending to the growth or improvement of a particular aspect, like how one would care for and encourage the growth of a plant. |
Cultural Protocol | Cultural protocols refer to a set of customary and respectful behaviours, actions, or ceremonies that guide interactions, events, and relationships within the community. These protocols are rooted in the cultural traditions, values, and practices of the specific Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultural groups, and communities. |
Cultural Safety | Cultural safety is about creating an environment where everyone feels respected and free from discrimination, regardless of their cultural background. It involves recognising and valuing diversity, promoting understanding, and ensuring that all people can express their cultural identity without fear of judgment or bias. |
Domestic and Family Violence | Domestic and family violence encompasses various forms of abusive behaviour perpetrated within intimate or familial relationships, aiming to establish control and power over the victim. Domestic violence specifically refers to violent acts occurring between current or former intimate partners, characterised by one partner's attempts to dominate the other, often instilling fear. This form of violence can manifest in physical, sexual, emotional, social, verbal, spiritual, and economic abuse. On the other hand, family violence is a broader term encapsulating violence among family members, which includes intimate partners, parent-child relationships, sibling dynamics, and more. It serves as the preferred terminology in contexts involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities due to its acknowledgment of the extended family and kinship networks where violence may occur. Behaviours associated with domestic and family violence can range from financial control and isolation tactics to psychological manipulation, threats of harm, and physical assault. While it's important to note that both men and women can experience violence, gendered patterns exist in both perpetration and victimisation. Women are disproportionately more likely to endure intimate partner violence, often with severe consequences such as hospitalisation or even fatality. Recognising these gendered dynamics is vital for comprehending the complexities of domestic and family violence and formulating effective intervention strategies, including preventative measures. |
Early Intervention | Early intervention means taking action as soon as possible to address and help with a situation before it becomes more serious. It involves identifying and providing support or assistance at the early signs of a problem, aiming to prevent it from getting worse. The idea is to step in early to make a positive impact and support individuals before difficulties escalate. |
Equity |  Equity means fairness and justice. It ensures that everyone has a chance to succeed and receive what they need, considering their unique circumstances and challenges.
It's about treating people fairly, addressing differences, and providing opportunities to bridge gaps so that everyone can reach their full potential. |
Human Rights | A human right is a fundamental entitlement that every person has by virtue of being human. These rights are universal, which means they apply to everyone, and they cannot be taken away. They are interconnected, meaning they are all equally important. In Queensland, the Human Rights Act 2019 (the Act) safeguards 23 human rights. The Act explicitly safeguards the cultural rights of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Act mandates that all branches of the government and businesses with public roles must align with these human rights. |
Identity Capital | Identity capital refers to the collection of personal assets and resources that people accumulate as they navigate life and develop their identity. These assets can include education, skills, experiences, achievements, and social connections. Accumulating identity capital can enhance confidence, resilience, and ability to pursue personal and professional goals. |
Intersectionality | Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that different aspects of a person’s identity such as race, gender and background can influence their experiences. Some people may face unique challenges or advantages based on the combination of factors. Intersectionality looks at how various aspects of identity intersect and interact, shaping a person's perspectives and experiences. |
LGBTQIA+ | The acronym LGBTQIA+ stands as a powerful symbol of diversity, encapsulating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic identities. These are all terms that people may use to describe their experiences with gender, physiological sex characteristics, and sexuality. The plus or '+' sign serves as an open invitation, meant to encompass other diverse sexual identities including those which may not yet fit within established categories. As society progresses towards greater inclusivity, this acronym has evolved – acknowledging and embracing a spectrum of preferences and identities. We acknowledge that there is inconsistency across Queensland with its use, including that the ‘A’ (Asexual/Aromantic) is often not included. Prior to embarking on public consultation, we proactively sought the input of young people part of the LGBTQIA+ community regarding the acronym and their preference. The resounding response was a clear endorsement of including the 'A’, aligning with best practice international standards. Removing it, they argued, would not only invalidate a substantial community but could also feel like a distressing erasure of identity for some individuals. This preference was implemented during public consultations when young people were asked to self-identify. While retaining the ‘A’ may be inconsistent with other Queensland agency definitions, as this strategy specifically targets young Queenslanders and aims to foster inclusivity across the entire community, we have opted to preserve the complete acronym throughout the document. In doing so, we send a clear message of validation, respect, and recognition to all members of the community, ensuring that no identity is overlooked or erased. |
Lived Experience | Lived experience refers to the personal knowledge and understanding gained through direct involvement or encounters in real-life situations. It's what someone learns and knows from going through certain events or circumstances firsthand. When government talks about ‘Lived experience’ we are often talking about specific experiences which may make a person react with their environment differently and may mean the government needs to provide additional support – for example a person who may have lived experience of homelessness or out of home care. |
Open Practice | An open cultural practice is like a tradition or activity that welcomes everyone – even people from outside the specific cultural group to participate, learn, and share in the cultural experience. Open practices are like cultural doors that are open to a broader community, encouraging understanding and collaboration between people from different backgrounds. An example of an open practice would be an Acknowledgement of Country. |
Prevention | Prevention is taking actions to stop something from happening before it occurs. It involves measures and strategies to avoid or reduce the likelihood of a problem, illness, or undesirable situation. The goal of prevention is to keep things from happening in the first place by addressing potential risks or issues. |
Self-Determination | Self-determination means having the power and freedom to make your own choices and decisions. It's about being in control of your own life, setting goals, and taking actions based on your preferences and values. Self-determination empowers people to shape their own path and have a say in the direction of their lives. |
Welcome to Country | A Welcome to Country is an important ceremony that can only be delivered by Traditional Owners, Elders, or a local First Nations person of significance with permission of a Traditional Owner or Elder who have cultural authority for the Country on which the ceremony is taking place. It used by groups to welcome visitors to their Country. A Welcome to Country is different from an Acknowledgement of Country. |
Young person | In Queensland, a young person means someone aged between 12-25, inclusive. In this strategy, when we reference young person, it encompasses all young people within this age range, irrespective of their specific age, abilities, lived experiences, culture, or circumstances. |
