This RAP formally recognises our recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land. At Ethical Partners, we firmly believe that as the first stewards of Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures should hold a special and celebrated place in the institutions and fabric of modern Australian society. We furthermore firmly believe that there is an urgent need for substantive social, political and structural reform, led by First Nations voices and wisdom, and consistent with the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We further acknowledge that investors, and the finance sector as a whole, holds a fundamental responsibility to play an active and essential role in supporting the rights of First Nations populations. We also acknowledge that investors hold a privileged position to leverage their shareholder voice, allocation of capital and access to decision makers, and therefore believe that our advocacy on First Nations Peoples rights must be, and is, a key stewardship consideration for Ethical Partners.
Ethical Partners’ first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan notes many of our previous and current partnerships, company engagements, advocacy and current activities as committed ESG investors to address Indigenous Rights in our investment activities, stewardship, or in our philanthropic endeavours (Pg 8-11). The formation of the RAP is, however, a significant and important step forward in demonstrating and formalising our commitment to addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights in our investments, engagements, and operations. Our action commitments regarding Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance are therefore clearly detailed on Pg 12-16 of this RAP.
We are also deeply cognisant of the need to approach our RAP in a meaningful way, which is something that we regularly engage with ASX listed companies to ensure that their RAP’s are embedded into their strategy, create meaningful change across their operations, value chains and areas of influence, incorporate the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into the process and leverage the organisations connections and ability to impact wider change. We also remain cognisant, and regularly communicate with our portfolio companies, that a RAP must be genuinely embedded in the organisations culture, be overseen by an actively engaged board, be incorporated into all cultural safety and diversity initiatives. Ethical Partners is deeply committed to doing the same within our own RAP process.
Ethical Partners is also very conscious of the need to bring external First Nations advisory expertise to our RAP Working Group as part of our inaugural Reflect RAP commitments and are actively working on building these connections and links to First Nations leaders over the coming year.
Please see our attached Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan for 2024-2025. We look forward to discussing this more with our clients, portfolio companies and other stakeholders over the coming year.
