Page 7 - GDG Annual Report 2019

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S BUILDING OUR PARTNERS

REPORT Partner Network Meetings,

Australia & Cambodia

I look back on this past year with satisfaction, having achieved a
good result and impacting significantly in many areas of need.

In 2018-2019 we aimed to increase the capacity of our staff,
representatives and project managers around the globe,
with the belief that strengthening these key leaders results in
greater outcomes for beneficiaries and projects.

To achieve this, we concentrated on three areas:
“GDG works with Representatives in their
• Extensive project monitoring
• Network Meetings local regions which allows us to work
• Targeted Representatives’ Training efficiently, maintain a high cost benefit, and
This year Global Development Group has continued to
During the year our teams made 125 project visits across maintain our focus on building the capacity of our partners utilise local experience”.
Africa and Asia, covering 40% of GDG projects. Several new through Conferences, Network Meetings and targeted training. David Pearson, Board Chairman
countries were visited and I enjoyed my visit to Mongolia. We
In April 2019 we held training in Brisbane with Project
also began a three-year program focused on capacity building
Managers and Representatives from around the globe
of our partners. We held three Partner Network Meetings in
Geoff Armstrong at J878N Christina Noble Children’s Foundation Mongolia’s joining our staff for three days of workshops. The focus was
Cambodia and one in Perth, Western Australia. Three days of Blue Sky Ger Village. See page 21 for more on the project
on conducting effective monitoring and covered key topics
representatives training was conducted in Brisbane this April
including child protection, financial management, preventing
and was a good opportunity to strengthen our team to better I think it is awe inspiring to note that we have impacted
sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and strengthening
support our partners. In the coming years you can expect to 896,334 direct beneficiaries and 3,870,892 indirect
relationships with partners. Equipping and training our people
see GDG Partner Network Meetings extended to India and beneficiaries this year. It is certainly a team effort between our
is an important component of GDG’s focus on building an
Africa. We look forward to bringing our partners together in donors, GDG and our great partners.
effective monitoring team which draws on the skills and
these regions. knowledge of both In-Country and Australian based GDG
Geoff Armstrong
Our partners around the world have also continued to excel. monitoring team members.
Congratulations must be given to Margaret Pashley, of J519 BSc, MBA, AFAMI, CMC, MAICD, MASQ
In Cambodia, GDG’s three annual Partner Network Meetings
Center for Change, awarded an Order of Australia for her long Executive Director continued to provide an opportunity for partners to connect, In Brisbane, Project Managers and Representatives from around the globe
service to the people of the Philippines; John Paul Kiffasi of joined GDG staff for three days of workshops with a focus on conducting
receive training and gain from local expertise. This year over effective monitoring.
J747 Irene Gleeson Foundation for his Honorary Doctorate of
50 attendees learned from topics including innovation and
Humanity for his tireless work in Uganda; and Scott Neeson
government compliance, with partner panel sessions providing Conduct Standards. Breakout sessions allowed partners to
of J668 Cambodian Children’s Fund for his Honorary PhD in
a platform for sharing key lessons learned between partners. workshop responses to challenging child protection scenarios
Humanities. I cannot name all the quality partners we work
and stay updated on current trends in the sector.
with, but honour each of you for your consistent service. In March a Network Meeting was held in Perth, Australia,
aiming to strengthen Australian Partners in their In 2019-2020 we are planning regional Partner Network
understanding and application of compliance standards, Meetings in India and Africa as we continue to provide
safeguarding of vulnerable people and the four ACNC External opportunities for learning and synergy between our partners.
Margaret Pashley John Paul Kiffasi Scott Neeson

6 Annual Report 2019 Global Development Group Global Development Group Annual Report 2019 7