Cape York Welfare Reform trial commenced 1 July 2008

The Cape York Institute was established in July 2004 as an independent policy and leadership organisation. The Institute champions reform in Indigenous economic and social polices and supports the development of current and future Cape York leaders. The Institute’s Director is Noel Pearson, an Aboriginal leader and activist from the community of Hopevale.

The Institute was developed in partnership with the people of Cape York and Griffith University, with financial support from the Queensland and Australian Governments. It is focussed on issues in Cape York but aims to have a national influence.

Our guiding framework is the CAPE YORK AGENDA which aims to ensure that Cape York people have the capabilities to choose a life that they have reason to value. This range of choices is enriched not only by income, but also other capabilities such as education, health and communities.

Our work falls into three broad areas: policy and research, dissemination and leadership development.

Policy and Research

The Institute undertakes short-to-medium-term policy/research projects across a wide range of economic and social policy issues. Our aim is to develop rigorous yet practical policy solutions that have a decisive impact on Indigenous disadvantage.

Some examples of ongoing policy and research include:

Welfare Reform - our most important reform initiative

Education - initiatives to improve literacy rates and teacher quality

Economic maximisation - policies that underpin the creation of economic activity

Substance abuse - policies to reduce both the demand and supply of alcohol and drugs

For more information on these and other policy areas, please refer to the tabs on the left hand side of this home page.

Idea Dissemination

The Institute contributes to national public debate through holding regular public seminars, publishing articles and essays (including a regular column in The Weekend Australian), and through keynote speeches by the Director. In 2007 we held our inaugural national conference Strong Foundations - Rebuilding Social Norms In Indigenous Communities.

Leadership Development

A number of programs aim to develop the capabilities of current and future leaders.

Leadership Academy

The Academy assists current and potential Cape York leaders to expand their personal and professional skills for effective leadership. It conducts annual program of workshops, assemblies, individual training programs and community-based leadership projects.

There are over 50 members registered for the 2008 program from eleven communities in the Cape York region. Fifteen members who are registered at the Tier 1 level are now involved in training courses and workshops as part of their individualised training plans.

Higher Expectations Program (Secondary)

In partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation, this initiative identifies and supports Indigenous Cape York students to attend high-performing boarding schools in Queensland. In 2007, we had our first HEP students graduate from Year 12, with each going onto tertiary studies.

There are currently 30 students from the Cape York region, Yarrabah and Palm Island on the program and we now have nine partner schools in five Queensland locations. Two students will be graduating from Grade 12 this year and they are planning to do tertiary studies in 2009. We are currently recruiting for new students and hope to grow to 50 students in 2009.

Higher Expectations Program (Tertiary)

This program targets talented Cape York Indigenous young people 17-30 years of age and provides intensive support to complete higher education qualifications. By receiving a combination of holistic case-management, leadership training and professional mentoring, participants are able to maximise their opportunities for educational achievement, career development and effective leadership within their communities.

We currently have 18 participants and this number is expected to increase with four mid year enrolments in 2008. Achievements this year inclues 4 students who have been actively involved in leadership forums in Brisbane working with other young people across Queensland to develop their skills and experience, an art student from Ijinoo recently exhibited his work at the Kudos Gallery in Paddington, NSW and a media student who regularly reports for the Epoch Times attended a workshop in Melbourne to develop is film documentary skills.

Youth Community Action Project

Established by Young Australian of the Year 2007, Tania Major, this project engages young people in volunteer projects in their communities. It aims to foster initiative, self-reliance and develop local youth leadership capacities.