Investing in people

Rio Tinto has set up a system of Trusts for the Traditional Owners of Western Cape York in Queensland, Australia, under its Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA). The Trusts provide the legal structure for funds to be distributed to the local Aboriginal people and communities. The funds will be used by the communities as they see fit, to meet their needs and develop opportunities. The WCCCA was signed in 2001 by 11 Traditional Owner groups, four councils, the Cape York Land Council, Comalco (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto) and the Queensland Government.

1. Today we see the results of investing all of our resources in technology, forgetting the need to invest in people first. The only way our market and economy is going to grow is if we can bring social benefits and equality to all citizens of the world.

1. Paying on time
2. Financing

1. Providing social security services
2. Investing in women
3. Investing in health
4. Improving access of rural poor to credit
5. Guaranteeing minimum wage
6. Financing education
7. Developing social banking
8. Developing human resources

1. Promoting sustainable livelihoods
2. Promoting community self-determination

1. Researching human resources development
2. Recognizing community assets
3. Flexible financing for economic development
4. Financing studies
5. Financing necessary programme initiation

1. Low plant investment per worker
2. Counterproductive capitalist investment financing

1. Rights
2. Inhumanity