Hugh de Kretser: ‘When human rights are respected, our societies are stronger, healthier and safer’
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News & Storytelling
Fri, 5 Sep 2025
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission shares how he's seen philanthropy become more confident in backing advocacy and how important the impact has been. Hugh spoke at the Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 and says human rights principles provide a framework for navigating the polycrisis, societal polarisation and rise in racism we're seeing in Australia.
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Catch up on Philanthropy Leadership Summit 2025 breakout sessions – Part 2
Fri, 5 Sep 2025
Here’s your chance to catch up on what you missed in the second set of our ‘Deeper dive into real life leadership’ sessions. Read reflections on investing in leadership to collective solutions to climate change and emerging approaches to addressing inequality.
From privilege to possibility: leadership in an age of inequality
Rachel Ball, CEO, Reichstein Foundation
Fri, 25 Jul 2025
In this era of economic inequality, the philanthropic sector is not a spectator. We contribute to and benefit from a flawed economic system that fuels inequality, condemns people to poverty and perpetuates discrimination. As privileged participants in this system, we have an opportunity and responsibility to change it, writes Rachel Ball, CEO of the Reichstein Foundation.
Sydney Women’s Fund emergency domestic violence appeal was ‘saving lives’ in weeks
Dee Rudebeck, Advisor, News and Storytelling
Fri, 27 Jun 2025
Sometimes there’s only a window of a few hours to get locks changed and save a woman’s life. Weave Youth & Community Services, a Sydney not-for-profit that works at the ‘pointy end’ of keeping women and children safe from domestic violence, has a trusted team of trauma-informed tradies on call to do the job. The work is funded in part from an emergency appeal by the Sydney Women’s Fund that was in Weave’s hands within weeks.
Sector leaders react to Gates Foundation’s historic plan to spend down US$200bn
Fri, 16 May 2025
Bill Gates has announced that the Gates Foundation plans to spend its endowment and ‘virtually all’ of his personal wealth totaling US$200 billion in the next 20 years to accelerate its mission of ‘saving and improving lives around the world’. Here, four leaders from the Australian philanthropic sector, Daniel Petre, Audette Exel, Peter Johnstone and Maree Sidey react.
Global Citizen event inspires New Gen delegation on critical issues
Lucy Steggles, Chair and Regional Director, NEXUS Australia
Fri, 15 Mar 2024
Delegates from Philanthropy Australia’s New Gen Network, along with members of NEXUS Australia, attended an inspiring 2-day event in Melbourne that brought together diverse and considered voices – from world leaders to grassroots activists. The event featured a wide range of panels and speakers tackling humanity's most compelling challenges, from climate change to global poverty. Lucy Steggles, Chair and Regional Director, NEXUS Australia and New Gen member, provides a snapshot.
You have to see it to believe it: visiting organisations on-the(ir)-ground is catalytic
Julie Rosenberg, CEO, Australian International Development Network
Fri, 16 Feb 2024
The Australian International Development Network (AIDN) conducts Insight Tours designed to connect philanthropists, donors and impact investors with diverse, locally led development initiatives overseas to help break down barriers to funding. Julie Rosenberg, AIDN CEO, shares her experiences of a recent tour to illustrate how developing on-the-ground, trust-based relationships is key to increasing Australia’s support for global challenges.
