Program Activities

ABOUT US

The Global Foundation is a citizens’ organization with extensive private sector membership, based in Australia. Fully independent of government and funded by its members, The Global Foundation promotes high-level thinking within Australia and cooperation between Australia and the world. It works with government and institutions, the private sector, academia and the community, to help shape longer term solutions to great challenges.

Alongside its broad and diverse membership base, the Foundation’s work is supported at the highest levels of society. The current Governor-General of Australia is Patron in Chief, with successive Prime Ministers of Australia and Leaders of the Opposition lending their bipartisan support, since the Foundation’s inception in 1998. The Foundation is also pleased to enjoy the active support of an increasing number of national and global eminent persons.

The Global Foundation fulfils a unique function as a custodian of Australia’s longer term national interest and has an unusual ability to combine global and local perspectives - to seek common ground among otherwise disparate interests, while remaining independent. In periods of uncertainty like the one we are now facing, this capacity to unify and coordinate non-partisan action is widely recognised.

Program Activities

Australia’s Future Economy

As members will be aware, the Foundation has for some time been advocating the measurement of Australia’s progress beyond purely economic indicators. This work, by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, is being mirrored at global level by the OECD and many other nations. A copy of the ABS report is available here.
On 1 December in Sydney, we will present a roundtable which will bring together global experts from the OECD, Australia and 4 other countries, to discuss the global measuring of progress project and its application to our future economy work. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register your interest in attending.

Foundation to work with ASIA WHITE PAPER ADVISORY PANEL

Our advisory council will shortly (23 Nov, Melb) host a meeting with the Panel chaired by Dr. Ken Henry, which is preparing the White Paper on Australia’s Engagement with Asia. A copy of the Prime Minister’s announcement and terms of reference can be found here.

National and Global Food Security Conference - 15 Nov, Shepparton, Vic

The Foundation, in partnership with our Goulburn Valley colleagues, convened a national public conference, which was held in Shepparton, Victoria, on Tuesday 15 November 2011, to address national and global food security, one of the most critical issues of our time. The conference provided a community-wide perspective, and presented an important opportunity to explore Australia’s approach to food security; our national and global responsibility as a producer, manufacturer and provider of knowhow, and our opportunities to secure a sustainable future for our farmers and for our economy.

The key question addressed was whether Australia needs to treble its food production, in a sustainable manner, to meet growing global demand. It was agreed that to succeed, a regional, national and global effort is required.

The conference, led by the Foundation’s National and Global Food Security Co-Chairs, Mr Anthony Pratt and Mr Gerry Lawson, and featuring the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Joe Ludwig, also included an impressive panel of contributors, who were joined by a broad cross-section of the community from national and regional levels including growers, manufacturers, retailers and industry groups, amongst others.

Downloads relating to the conference: Conference Details; Keynote Address: Mr Anthony Pratt; Secretary General's Introductory Remarks; Program & Participant List.
Audio Files from the conference: Welcome, Opening and Introductory remarks; Senators Address with Q&A; Panel Discussions One, Two, Three; Conference Close.

Round table discussion to explore opportunities for a sustainable nation - Oct 19, 2011 Brisbane

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Queensland shows leadership on sustainability and infrastructure issues. Our recent Brisbane roundtable was remarkable for the level of attendance and thoughtfulness on issues affecting queensland, including the State’s infrastructure demands, the coal seam gas vs. farming conflict, and the national effort needed to plan and implement for the long-term in our urban centres. A copy of the brief and guest list can be found here.

Secretary General's Speech - Food Security and Global Governance Conference

On 28 September 2011, the Secretary General gave an address to the Food Security and Global Governance Conference. Click to Read.

Mission to China, including dinner with Australian Minister for Resources and Energy

The Foundation’s Chairman Major General Michael Jeffery led a visit to China on 21-24 September, 2011, which included a number of senior Australian and Chinese business leaders.

At the invitation of one of the top organs of the State, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), discussions focused on China’s ‘green growth’ and promoted practical cooperation in this emerging field between Australian and Chinese enterprises. During the Mission, our Chairman delivered a speech at the opening of an eco-cities forum in Tianjin. Our delegation also took the opportunity to meet with a number of the Foundation's partners in Beijing, with whom we have been working for some time, to discuss further cooperation on global matters, including the effectiveness of the G20. Our group and Chinese guests also met with the Australian Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson MP, for dinner in Beijing, where we discussed the status of energy and resources policy in Australia and opportunities for further cooperation.

Our visit followed our hosting in Australia of the NDRC Vice Chairman in March 2011, who was keen to assist us in developing a better understanding of China's latest green growth strategies and in facilitating our practical connections with Chinese enterprises involved in this field. The visit also enabled us to further shape, with our Chinese counterparts, a planned international meeting to discuss global climate policy, which the Foundation intends to present in Beijing in early 2012, again with the support and encouragement of the Government of China.

Click to read Major General Michael Jeffery's Speech.
Click here to view the Mission Brief, Program and Participant List.

ASEAN- Australia Dialogue

Some of Australia’s leading corporate minds gathered in Singapore on 8-9 September, 2011 together with regional think tanks and diplomats to discuss the key issues and challenges facing the ASEAN region, including food, water and energy security, climate change and sustainability. Anthony Pratt and colleagues from Visy were joined by Rod Leaver of Lend Lease; John Beevers, Orica; Alf D’Souza, Shell; Selena Ng, Areva; Harsha Basnayake, Ernst & Young; Bill Foo, ANZ; Andrew Low, RedBridge Grant Samuel and representatives from Deloitte in Australia and Singapore, amongst others, including Doug Chester, Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore and Rod Smith, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.

There was widespread agreement that Australia is very much welcome in the region, the legacy of our enduring contribution over recent decades. However, Australia has a new responsibility, to play a much greater role in South-East Asia’s sustainable growth, as industrialisation and urbanization accelerate.

Our enterprises have world-leading expertise in developing energy-efficient buildings, precincts and cities. At the same time, a quarter of South- East Asia’s population of 580 million is still without electricity and Australia is both an energy superpower and a source of technology and systems for connectivity. Similarly, a more concerted response is required around food research, production, manufacture and distribution in both Australia and throughout South-East Asia, to guarantee the food security needs of the region, while boosting Australia’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Read the brief, program and participant list here.

Meeting with EU Climate Change Minister Connie Hedegaard

On the issue of Energy Security the Foundation met on 5 September with EU Climate Change Minister Connie Hedegaard, who called for greater focus on energy efficiency measures and supported the Foundation’s proposed global track one and a half talks in China next year on energy and climate. Hosted by Foundation Board Member and global head of sustainability for Lend Lease, Maria Atkinson, a diverse group of people participated in the meeting, including NGO interest groups and others.

Jim Wolfensohn supports the Foundation's call for greater global governance arrangements

Over the past month Australian and global leaders have lent their support to the Foundation’s call for the strengthening of global governance systems.

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Our proposal for the formation of an eminent persons group to support the G20 was encouraged last week during discussions with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former World Bank President and Foundation Patron James Wolfensohn and specifically endorsed by EU President Jose Manuel Barroso and French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, who has offered to host an exploratory meeting of the group before the end of the year. On 15 August in Sydney WTO Chief Pascal Lamy joined Foundation guests over dinner hosted by Danny Gilbert of Gilbert + Tobin, also providing his support and endorsement for the Foundation’s plans.

Global Governance Dinner

Mr Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation joined Foundation guests over dinner in Sydney on 15 August 2011, hosted by Mr Danny Gilbert the Managing Partner of Gilbert + Tobin on the theme of global governance.

Australia's Future Economy Working Group Launch

Australia’s Future Economy working group officially launched in Canberra on 24 August, chaired by Mr Graeme Liebelt, MD of Orica and Mr David Thodey, CEO of Telstra, joined at dinner by Deputy PM and Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan MP. Read the report here.

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Advisory Council Meeting, Annual General Meeting and Annual Reception, held in Sydney, Tuesday 17 May 2011

On Tuesday 17 May in Sydney, the Foundation’s Board, Chaired by Major General Michael Jeffery and Advisory Council, Chaired by Mr Fergus Ryan met, alongside our Annual General Meeting and Reception hosted by the Governor of NSW, HE Professor Marie Bashir. The Global Foundation's 2010 Annual Report is available here.

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Roundtable meeting with the Hon Shri Anand Sharma, Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry held in Canberra, Thursday 12 May 2011

Global Foundation members and guests met with India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, the Hon Shri Anand Sharma, and senior government delegation in Canberra to discuss Australia-India relations and visions for the relationship. Both High Commissioners joined the meeting, which was Chaired by the Foundation’s Chairman, Major General Michael Jeffery.

Over the past 7 years, the Foundation has conducted an ongoing Australia-India Dialogue, which has combined business leadership with academic and strategic considerations, regarding Australia India relations and also taking into account common international interests. We have worked in partnership with both Governments and have devised a comprehensive program of engagement and interaction with the most senior levels of Indian society. This meeting was a significant continuation of that engagement.

The Minister discussed the importance of an Australia India strategic partnership and focused on areas such as climate, food and energy security for long term cooperation, alongside hard security considerations.

The Foundation was pleased to receive the Minister’s support for senior Indian involvement in the Foundation’s Asia-Pacific Round Table meeting in Singapore on 9 September 2011, along with possible involvement of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to Australia for CHOGM in November 2011.

Boardroom Dinner with The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs held in Melbourne , Tuesday 19 April 2011

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Kevin Rudd, met with Global Foundation members and guests in an informal boardroom setting to discuss the Foundation’s international policy program. The evening, which was chaired by the Foundation’s Chairman, Major General Michael Jeffery, and hosted by Mr David Fagan, Foundation Board member and Partner with Clayton Utz, provided a timely opportunity to speak with the Minister about the Foundation’s current international program.

The Foundation has enjoyed a long association with Mr Rudd, prior to and during his time as Prime Minister, when he endorsed and addressed a number of the Foundation’s national policy summits, along with specific activities, such as our endeavours in promoting ‘track-one-and-a-half’ discussions on climate change involving the US and China.

As Foreign Minister, Mr Rudd has endorsed the Foundation’s continuing role as a global policy contributor, working alongside government in a number of areas, and welcomed the Foundation’s interest in supporting the G20, East Asia Summit process and the strengthening of ties with Latin America and Europe.

Further details of this meeting will be circulated shortly.

Click here to view the Guest List

China – Australia Low - Carbon Roundtable Dialogue held in Melbourne, 28 March 2011

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The Global Foundation hosted a Roundtable discussion involving the Vice Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Xie Zhenhua, and the Cabinet Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in the Australian Government, The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, in Melbourne on Monday 28^th March, 2011.

The Roundtable was attended by over 30 prominent Australians from all walks of life and formed an integral part of the Foundation's continuing Australia Program and its Australia-China Strategic Partnership Dialogue. It enabled participants to hear first-hand from one of China’s top officials and provided an unusual opportunity for leaders of enterprise to express their views directly with key policy-makers from both nations.

The Roundtable focused on the respective climate change policies and intended actions of both nations, and explored possible further practical and policy cooperation between enterprise and the governments of Australia and China, building upon the Foundation's continuing work with our Chinese partners over recent years.

A report of the Roundtable meeting will be circulated shortly. In the meantime, these headline outcomes were agreed:

To encourage closer cooperation on global climate change action by the international community, the Foundation plans to convene an international 'track one and a half' meeting in Beijing later this year, and welcomes the expressions of support and intention to participate by the Governments of Australia and China;

The Foundation and its many partner organisations in Australia and China, with the support and encouragement of the Governments of Australia and China, will launch joint strategic programs of practical action and cooperation to promote low-carbon economies in both nations, including: the further development of low-carbon cities in China; the encouragement of a fast train system for the East coast of Australia; other projects which can demonstrate high-profile, bilateral cooperation, such as energy efficiency in the urban environment and land & water remediation and sustainability improvements in rural areas.

Click here to view the guest list.

Governance Roundtable hosted by HE Dr Ken Michael, held in Perth, 24 February 2011

His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC, Governor of Western Australia, hosted for The Global Foundation a Roundtable discussion on 'Empowerment of citizens and governance' at Government House.

The meeting was attended by 35 prominent Australians from all walks of life, including the former Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, who has recently assumed the Chair of the Foundation. A copy of the guest list is attached.

The Perth meeting was an integral element in the Foundation's ongoing national public policy program, the Australia Program, and served to launch the program in Western Australia.The Roundtable explored the opportunities for the renewal and strengthening of governance arrangements in Australia and an active role for citizens in governance structures that empowers all Australians.

The meeting supported and gave guidance to the Foundation's intention to prepare and circulate widely, a discussion paper to inform community dialogue and engagement on the matter.

In addition to the Roundtable in Perth, there will be a number of opportunities for Foundation members and guests to participate in dialogues arising from the discussion paper around Australia, over the course of the year. These discussions on empowerment and governance, together with parallel activities on the other themes in the Australia Program, will converge at the Foundation's Australia Summit, which will be held in March 2012.

Click here to view the guest list.