Annual Reports
2022 Annual Report - Message from the Chair and Executive Director
This year, Global Reconciliation celebrates its 20th year.
The last few years have been challenging, with the advent of COVID, the continuing intensificaiton of the effects of climate change, the devastating, brutal coup in Myanmar, the advent of war in Ukraine, and many other major world events.
Global Reconciliation has also suffered a very sad loss, with the passing of the Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Reverend Tutu was a generous patron, mentor and friend of Global Reconciliation, who provided inspiration and guidance to us since our inception. He also honoured us by allowing us to administer in his name the Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Fellowship. We are deeply saddened by his death and in our ongoing work will continue to protect and extend his unique legacy.
We have learned a great deal about our style and capacities in this time and have developed a progressively stronger and more extensive identity as predominantly a training and research group. We train leaders in Australia and overseas in the skills and insight enabling them to promote within their communities the understanding of dialogue dedicated to working with and across conflict. The need to develop capacity for engagement in and commitment to dialogue has never been greater. Both globally and locally we have seen parallel roots of alienation and violence, and we have endeavoured to contribute at all levels and be available to newly arising possibilities towards overcoming these problems.
In Africa, the UK, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Middle East we have engaged in conversations with grassroots activists and leaders exploring needs and reconciliation possibilities. Locally we have committed to current issues concerning youth alienation, family violence and diaspora communities.
Despite the challenges, we have continued and extended our key projects, including the Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Fellowship, aidXchange, Palaver Books and our research and teaching activities. Our Global Advisors and partners continue to be active in spreading the vision and mission of Global Reconciliation both in their home countries and in their diaspora communities. We realise how difficult the path to reconciliation is in the world today but are prepared to continue to pursue our objectives with courage and vigour. We are always excited by new ideas and open to suggestions for fresh projects. Above, all we are honoured to be able to continue to work with countless people of such courage and imagination. None of this inspiring achievement would be possible without the tireless work of our board, our executive, our administrative staff and our wonderful, indispensable volunteer team!
Thanks to you all!
Dur-é Dura OAM, Chair and Professor Paul Komesaroff AM, Executive Director