Each year, National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) reminds us of the powerful journey of connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community. It is a time to reflect, to listen, and to act.

This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, challenges us to reflect on where we’ve come from and to commit to the future — together. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a destination, but a shared path we walk every day. For COX, this journey is embedded in our practice through our 2024–2026 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) — a roadmap to ensure that reconciliation is meaningful, impactful, and enduring.

A Legacy of Change

Reconciliation Week commemorates two landmark events in Australia’s history:

• The 1967 referendum (27 May), which saw more than 90% of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and include them in the census.
• The Mabo decision (3 June), which recognised Native Title and the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

These milestones are national reminders that the work of reconciliation is ongoing — and that we must continue to learn from the past to shape a more inclusive future.

A Year of Action and Accountability

COX’s Innovate RAP, launched in May 2024, outlines 74 measurable actions designed to embed reconciliation within the fabric of our practice. One year in, we’re proud to report the following:

• 41 deliverables completed
• 19 in progress
• 15 yet to be commenced

These actions span cultural awareness, project delivery, procurement, and engagement — all driven by our responsibility as practitioners within the built environment to support self-determination and truth-telling through design.

Looking Ahead

In 2025, our focus shifts from strategy creation to action and integration. We will:

• Implement Phase 1 of our Cultural Capability Framework to build a shared understanding of First Nations histories, perspectives, and knowledge.
• Deliver cultural awareness training for all project team members through a partnership with BlackCard.
• Deepen our understanding of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) through our collaboration with Terri Janke and Company and the True Tracks® framework.
• Increase awareness of supplier diversity with Supply Nation training, and further our engagement with First Nations-owned businesses.
• Expand opportunities for shared learning through collaboration with like-minded RAP organisations.

As we step forward into year two of our Innovate RAP, we remain committed to asking better questions, striving for deeper understanding, and working in ways that are led by and with First Nations peoples.

Read Our RAP Progress Report

We invite you to explore our 2024–2025 RAP Progress Report below, which details our achievements, challenges, and ambitions for the path ahead.

Our Innovate RAP and this article features artwork by First Nations weaver, writer, and activist Jessika Spencer.