Almost twenÂty years ago, some of Australiaâs leadÂing citÂiÂzens decidÂed to conÂfront the chalÂlenges and opporÂtuÂniÂties preÂsentÂed by an emergÂing world, bringÂing to bear their colÂlecÂtive talÂents and those of othÂer influÂenÂtial globÂal figÂures through the creÂation of the GlobÂal FounÂdaÂtion â a not-for-profÂit organÂiÂsaÂtion focused on servÂing the longer-term pubÂlic good and backed by priÂvate secÂtor and philÂanÂthropic sponÂsors and a diverse memÂberÂship base.
Launched in MelÂbourne, AusÂtralia, in 1998, the FounÂdaÂtion has since become a trustÂed globÂal netÂwork and platÂform with a someÂwhat unique conÂvenÂing powÂer, enabling peoÂple from many walks of life to meet and work togethÂer in addressÂing some of the greatÂest globÂal chalÂlenges of our era â how do we mobilise for a fair and prosÂperÂous globÂal econÂoÂmy; how do we ensure that our planÂet will be susÂtainÂable for curÂrent future genÂerÂaÂtions; how do we ensure globÂal food secuÂriÂty for all? In so doing, the FounÂdaÂtion choosÂes not to be âthe stoÂryâ, preÂferÂring to supÂport the work of those in posiÂtions of authorÂiÂty and influÂence. UsuÂalÂly, such iniÂtiaÂtives derive from govÂernÂments, howÂevÂer the FounÂdaÂtion disÂtinÂguishÂes itself by workÂing from its non-profÂit base, enjoyÂing 100% priÂvate secÂtor and comÂmuÂniÂty supÂport, while partÂnerÂing with govÂernÂments of the day, across the world and on a non-parÂtiÂsan basis.
The FounÂdaÂtion works closeÂly with many sigÂnifÂiÂcant corÂpoÂrate and comÂmuÂniÂty leadÂers and also with the most sigÂnifÂiÂcant globÂal ecoÂnomÂic instiÂtuÂtions, such as the InterÂnaÂtionÂal MonÂeÂtary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian InfraÂstrucÂture InvestÂment Bank, along with faith-based instiÂtuÂtions includÂing, but not limÂitÂed to, the VatÂiÂcan and the AngliÂcan Church.