Video: A snapshot of the Indigital Caring for Country program.
Last month, our CEO, Mikaela Jade, joined global leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland as part of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The conversations at WEF reinforced the urgent need for collective action in tackling global challenges and ensuring Indigenous knowledge is at the forefront of shaping a more sustainable future and inclusive economy.
Mikaela was invited to present at the Global Collaboration Village in a session titled "Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Social Impact." This immersive virtual event explored how social innovators are using technology to drive systemic change and scale their impact. In her presentation, "Transforming Adversity: Harnessing Extended Reality for Cultural and Environmental Resilience," Mikaela presented both in real life and as an avatar. The session centered on Indigital’s Caring for Country program, which harnesses the power of collective action and emerging technologies to amplify Indigenous voices, foster cultural confidence, and support environmental sustainability.
To open the presentation and ground it in Country, Mikaela shared this beautiful video of Thanakwith Traditional Owner Uncle Richard Barkley talking about what Country means to him. You can view the video here.
Through this lens, Mikaela demonstrated how Indigenous social entrepreneurs can collaborate with industries traditionally seen as adversaries to create positive outcomes for Country and Community. The session sparked valuable discussions on the role of technology in preserving cultural knowledge, building trust, and creating sustainable solutions.
Indigital & Rio Tinto: A Groundbreaking Partnership
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Rio Tinto on the Caring for Country initiative - an innovative, community-led program that integrates Indigenous knowledge with advanced technology to protect Country, strengthen culture, and advance sustainable mining practices.
About the Initiative
Operating across four remote Indigenous communities over three years - Weipa, Aurukun, Napranum, and Mapoon - the initiative prioritises trust, collaboration, and community leadership, ensuring that solutions are culturally grounded and sustainable. By equipping the next generation with digital skills, we aim to drive long-term environmental and social impact.
"This partnership is focused on building genuine, long term and mutual relationships where both the Indigenous community and Rio Tinto benefit and grow. We are codesigning the program with community and we track progress diligently and respectfully through our Social Reciprocity Framework that we are developing, as part of this work.” Indigital Founder and CEO, Mikaela Jade said.
You can find out more and read the joint media release here.
Mikaela at WEF 2025: Conversations, Culture, and Connections
This year’s WEF theme, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," focused on addressing global uncertainty and fostering collaboration to tackle the most pressing global challenges. Discussions centered around the intersection of climate action, AI governance, and social innovation - highlighting the critical role of ethical leadership and cross-sector partnerships in shaping a more equitable future. At the heart of these discussions were the deep, borderless changes reshaping our world, as the Forum's Founder, Professor Klaus Schwab, describes.
- Geopolitical shifts and multi-polarisation;
- The need to create new relationships between humans and the rest of the planet;
- Polarisation of societies; and
- The convergence of technology, environment, and economies.
In addition to engaging with global leaders and businesses, Mik, a member of the World Economic Forum’s Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and Leadership Network, met with fellow Indigenous leaders to discuss the challenges their communities face and their vision for the future.
Four key takeaways from WEF 2025
Collective action is essential: Addressing global risks, whether climate change or AI, requires working across boundaries, even with those we may not know, like, or trust. If you’re not collaborating, you’re part of the problem.
Social entrepreneurship is the future: Major corporations are embedding social enterprises into their core business strategies, not just as projects, but as fundamental components of their supply chains and operations. The business case is clear: it’s good for people and good for business.
Interrogate systems and agendas: Don’t assume that organisations resistant to collective action in the past haven’t evolved. WEF highlighted how some of the most unexpected players are now leading the charge in addressing climate and social challenges in innovative ways.
Australia risks falling behind: Countries like Thailand, South Africa, and Bangladesh are outpacing Australia in fostering social entrepreneurship through better incentives, taxation policies, and investment in local businesses solving local problems. We have much to learn from their strategies.
