Media release

How to manage the impact of globalisation

We must address the effect international events have on communities, says the Vice-Chancellor and President ahead of a meeting in Rome.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven will outline the significance of inclusive globalisation in an address at a roundtable discussion in Rome this weekend.

Pope Francis will meet political, business and faith leaders from around the world at The Global Foundation’s annual Rome Roundtable on 13-14 January where Professor Craven will play a pivotal role, delivering a vote of thanks to the keynote speaker at the Roundtable Dinner, His Eminence, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to His Holiness the Pope.

ACU is the key education partner of the Global Foundation, an Australian advocacy body that seeks to improve governance, social and economic responsibility, and sustainability in communities across the world. The 2017 conference will address the topics of inclusive globalisation; increasing female participation in the economy and workforce; and slavery-proofing supply chains. It will also provide a progress report on previous commitments organisations have made regarding economic, social and environmental concerns, such as the G20 for economic governance, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Accord.

Among those participating at the forum are: Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney; Pacific Islands Forum CEO, Dame Meg Taylor; Anglo-American CEO, Mr Mark Cutifani; Consumer Goods Forum CEO, Mr Peter Freedman; Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Vice President, Sir Danny Alexander; and Global Foundation Secretary General Mr Steve Howard.

Professor Craven’s contribution will address the impact of international events and what action can be taken to mitigate these effects.

“At a time when people are feeling more vulnerable about the level of risk and uncertainty in the world, the effects of global events are felt at community level,” Professor Craven said.

“Instead of closing ourselves off from it, we need to ask what we are doing to contribute to the common good, and consider how we as individuals and as an organisation can strengthen hope and confidence about the future,” he said.

ACU’s delegation to the forum will include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students Learning and Teaching) Professor Anne Cummins, and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships Mr Tom Ristoski.