Diversity Statement

We believe Oaktree is one of the best places in Australia for a young person to realise their potential. We are committed to this being possible for any young person that wants to work or volunteer here.

Everyone is different. Whether we come from different cultural backgrounds, have varying opinions on who is best placed to be the leader of our country, speak different languages, love different people or have distinct life experiences.

Diversity is something that affects everyone. It doesn’t and never will fit into one neat definition. It’s in all aspects of our lives from the sports we watch and play, to where we store our tomato sauce. All of this comes down to the different ways we think - our diversity of thought.

Diversity isn’t just a list of goals or boxes to tick, it is about an inclusive culture that values everyone that walks into our office. It is an understanding and recognition that each individual is unique, and a commitment to utilising this to strengthen our fight against injustice.

We are committed to building a workplace and community that encourages, supports and values diversity. We want to ensure everyone’s individuality can thrive, because you’re at your best when you can be yourself.

What is Diversity?

Diversity means all the ways we differ. Diversity is not explicitly related to demographics. Diversity encompasses being diverse in thought which is related to the variety of ways each of us interprets and negotiates the world around us. This is informed by our identities, cultures and experiences which can be shaped by demographics.

Diversity means recognising that each individual is different and unique. While we may share similar qualities, be part of the same communities, or eat the same food, diversity recognises that every person’s experience is uniquely theirs. Diversity focuses on understanding, embracing, and celebrating the rich and multi-dimensional experiences which shape our lives, and intends to provide a nurturing environment where people are free to be their truly unique selves.

Source: Jacob Thomas

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion involves bringing together and harnessing diverse forces and resources, in a way that is beneficial. Inclusion puts the concept and practice of diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, respect, and connection—where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed to create value.

Source: Diversity Journal

Diversity work

There are a number of different ways we are working on promoting diversity at Oaktree. This includes a Diversity Plan, which outlines the main initiatives we're rolling out, including time frames for when this will be happening, who is responsible and what our key measures of success are.
We have also developed a Diversity Training module, that will be delivered to everyone who works or volunteers with us, so they are able to better understand what diversity is and how to encourage and support it. We've also been working on a Diversity Master Spreadsheet, which is an epic spreadsheet that outlines all the barriers to diversity at Oaktree we've identified. This is broken up into overarching barriers, and also barriers that may be experienced by people belonging to specific demographics including cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD), people with disability, LGTBIQ+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and low socioeconomic communities.

Diversity is a completely new area for us to be working on, and we know we won't always get it right all the time. Though, we are committed to continually learning and sticking to the principle "Nothing about us, without us", where we aim to engage with people of all different communities in our diversity work .

If you have any feedback, comments, questions or want to play a more active role in our diversity work we would love to hear from you - email us at diversity@oaktree.org.

Definitions

These are the definitions of the main demographics we will be focusing on in our diversity work.

Cultural

Cultural diversity refers to differences related to people’s language, religion, beliefs, laws, customs, knowledge and other capabilities and habits that are a result of the society they are a part of.

Source: UNESCO

Disability

Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Source: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Gender

Gender identity refers to a person’s sense of being masculine, feminine or both or neither. Gender can be fluid and is how a person self identifies and self expresses as opposed to something that is assigned to you. This is inclusive of all men, women and all equally valid gender identities, expressions and experiences.

Source: Safe Schools

Sexuality

Sexuality describes who people are attracted to and how they express this attraction. Human sexuality is diverse and can be fluid. It includes people who are exclusively attracted to those of an opposite sex (e.g heterosexual), people who are exclusively attracted to members of their own sex (e.g. same-sex attracted) and people who are attracted to more than one gender (e.g bisexual, pansexual) or to no sex or gender (e.g. asexual)

Source: Safe Schools

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which they live. They are the traditional owners and custodians of this land.

Source: Human Rights Commission

Socio-economic status

Socio-economic status (SES) refers to a person’s availability to access resources and opportunities. SES is a multilateral composition of a person’s geographical residence, participation in and completion of education qualifications, financial circumstances, and takes into account their risk of access to vital services such as medical care and other means of support.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics