Advancing community development across Asia-Pacific nations

Collaboration across business, government, and the not-for-profit sector is vital for making progress on questions of global concern – as we have seen in our own projects (Pregnancy Taboos and Break Dengue). A gathering of more than 100 leaders from these sectors took place in Sydney recently, to discuss development in disadvantaged communities across Asia-Pacific nations.

Michael Wesley, National Security Professor from the Australian National University, delivered the keynote speech at the 2013 Asia Pacific Corporate Community Impact Summit. In his address he emphasized education and opportunity as important social issues in Asia-Pacific nations, and called for corporations to extend the scope of their community impact programs.

Meanwhile, Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide, provided insight into the major challenges faced by not-for-profits working for social impact. He described how some tasks are better managed through broader networks, while others need to stay locally focused.

He also told the summit how the healthiest communities around the globe always have three things in common: jobs that allow people to sustain themselves; effective government at all scales; and community interaction. Mr. Gallagher stressed in particular the importance of early childhood development and education.

Where have you seen cross-sector collaboration working to address challenges such as these?