Who we are
Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) is a not-for-profit statutory corporation of the Northern Territory, established in 2003 to facilitate learning, research, socioeconomic development, and environmental sustainability in Central Australia. DKA is committed to developing opportunities to build a stronger and more connected desert and remote Australia.
DKA is landlord of the Desert Knowledge Precinct and its primary operations include fulfilling that responsibility, executing its strategic plan, and fostering its two flagship projects: Codes 4 Life and the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy.
DKA’s office, the Business & Innovation Centre, in Alice Springs.
DKA proudly acknowledges the Arrernte people as the custodians and first knowledge holders of the land on which the Desert Knowledge Precinct stands.
DKA works with the people, communities and organisations of Central Australia who share our vision for a stronger remote Australia, to create opportunities and deliver projects of tangible value to the region. These projects are focused on:
- Promoting positive social change
- Creating STEM opportunities, and supporting economic development
- Working towards environmentally sustainable societies
- Identifying and delivering on research opportunities of practicable value
DKA’s primary operations under its four strategic focus areas.
In 2019 – 2021, DKA’s strategic plan is focused on:
- The continued development of the Desert Knowledge Precinct and the DKA Solar Centre
- Growing the role of the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy as a self-sustaining entity that forges partnerships, builds on existing knowledge and generates new knowledge about renewable energy
- Fostering desert leadership by connecting people, knowledge and opportunities, supporting Aboriginal enterprises and employment, incubating innovation and developing programs such as Codes 4 Life that create positive social change; and supporting strong governance and organisational practices
- Establishing a Digital Innovation Centre with state-of-the-art resources, and working to develop strong desert data governance systems, practices and knowledge
- Activating the Desert Knowledge Research Institute to conduct community-driven, targeted research programs in the areas of people, place and knowledge
Annual Reports
2020 — 2021
DKA’s achievements in 2020 – 2021 are a credit to its dedicated board and its employees. Over the past year, DKA has bolstered its flagship programs and core operations to contribute to the socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability of the desert.
We have:
- seen the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy forge ahead with activities crucial to the delivery of the Alice Springs Future Grid project
- strengthened and expanded Codes 4 Life workshop deliveries, by outlining strategic focus areas to support a rejuvenated approach; and through formal and informal partnerships with local organisations working towards positive sociocultural outcomes
- established the pilot program Codes 4 Life: Women, based on the cultural methodology of Codes 4 Life, to address and develop prevention practices against domestic, family and sexual violence in the Northern Territory
- launched the DKAccelerator to support First Nations enterprises in accelerating the growth of their business through culturally appropriate, responsive, and contextual support
- sustained our research activities through applied research which has supported the framework development and delivery of DKA projects, including Codes 4 Life: Women and the DKAccelerator
- made meaningful contributions to and participated in local events and activities, ensuring DKA has had an active role in the community
- continued to promote the Desert Knowledge Precinct as a hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration, working together with Precinct partners and local organisations to host events and numerous visitors
Sustainable Development
DKA endorses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognises them as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.