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14 November 2024

Announcing our second Reconciliation Action Plan: Innovate

​Today we are proud to publish our second Navitas Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking the next chapter in our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

Launching our Innovate RAP is just one important step of many. Our Innovate RAP, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, will hold us accountable to our reconciliation commitments over the next two years. Reconciliation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey – together, we can drive real progress and contribute to a more equitable future for all.

Scott Jones, Navitas Group CEO, said: “As we move forward, I encourage each of you to take an active role in living out the values of this RAP – whether through learning, supporting, or engaging in initiatives that promote reconciliation. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to the broader goal of creating meaningful change.”

Read our Innovate RAP

What is a RAP?

In 2022, we launched our first RAP.

Specifically designed for Australian workplaces, a RAP is a strategic document with practical plans for action. It outlines how an organisation is committing to contribute to reconciliation with First Nations peoples. Organisations progress on their RAP journey, with required deliverables and actions that must be completed as a minimum before moving on to the next stage. The four RAP types are Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate.

Our journey to launching both our Reflect and Innovate RAPs has been informed and supported by First Nations friends and advisors to Navitas and driven by a RAP working group, steering committee and workstreams.

What have we done so far?

Our Reflect RAP enabled us to deepen our understanding of the unique contribution we can make to Australia’s reconciliation journey. As an organisation we are proud of the progress we have made through the development and execution of our Reflect RAP and excited about plans to create opportunities for First Nations staff and students through our Innovate RAP.

In the past two years we have:

  • delivered cultural awareness training to more than 1,000 employees across Australia
  • increased employee participation in webinars, yarning circles and training sessions focused on truth-telling
  • seen widespread and increased celebration of First Nations Days of Significance including NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week
  • amplified the achievements of First Nations staff and students across our colleges and campuses
  • provided professional development opportunities for First Nations women leaders in Navitas
  • delivered learning opportunities on Country for students
  • educated our Navitas community about the referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.

What next?

Our Innovate RAP outlines more than 60 actions that we have committed to deliver over the next two years of our reconciliation under the themes of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance.

You can read the full list of activities and commitments in the Innovate RAP. Some of our key goals include:

  • establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations stakeholders and organisations
  • build relationships and respect through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW) and NAIDOC Week
  • promote positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies
  • support truth-telling through observances and by embedding First Nations histories and perspectives in curriculum
  • support all teaching staff to incorporate respectful and meaningful lessons on First Nations histories and cultures by providing workshops, resources, and toolkits
  • develop consistent framework for First Nations scholarships in Navitas colleges
  • develop and socialise cultural leave policy to accommodate Sorry Business for staff and students.

Reconciliation and Impact at Navitas

Our commitment to Indigenous Rights, Justice and Reconciliation is embedded in our approach to Impact. At Navitas, our approach is built around our impact as an employer, an educator, and a global citizen, and is aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have twelve key impact topics.

As one of our twelve key impact topics, Indigenous Rights, Justice and Reconciliation continues to be an area of focus for us.

Indigenous Rights, Justice and Reconciliation refers to our engagement with Indigenous peoples to increase awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories in the areas where we operate, to promote Indigenous rights and justice, and to develop and strengthen respectful and accountable relationships that deliver improved outcomes for Indigenous peoples. Engagement and activities are guided by the principles of truth telling, self-determination, and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

Thank you to our RAP teams

A large and critical project like the Reconciliation Action Plan is only possible thanks to the hard work of many. We would like to acknowledge just a few of the staff and community members who contributed to our Reflect RAP over the past two years and to the development of our Innovate RAP:

  • Dr Noritta Morseu-Diop and Nicole Fraser-Lyons who have shared their perspectives, insights and wisdom both as First Nations advisors and employees of Navitas;
  • Marcia McGuire, a proud Whadjuk, Ballardong, and Yamatji Aboriginal woman, whose incredible artwork so beautifully embodies our reconciliation journey (read more about Marcia and her art on page 5 of the RAP);
  • our friends at Indigenous-owned consultancy, Murawin, for their knowledge, wisdom, and guidance;
  • our Co-Champions, divisional CEOs Jo Anthonysz and Malcolm Baigent; and
  • the RAP Working Group, Steering Committee and workstreams, steered by RAP Project Director, Cathy Tobin (Communications Director, UPA).
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