Speech from His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia The Global Foundation Reception – Wednesday, 30 March 2016

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and to elders from other communities who may be with us today.

• Mr John (Jock) Murray – Chairman, The Global Foundation
• Mr Steve Howard -Secretary General, The Global Foundation
• Archbishop Dr Philip Freier -Chairman, The Global Foundation Advisory Council
• Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening.

I understand it has been a few years since members of The Global Foundation have gathered together in Sydney.

So welcome, and welcome to Admiralty House.

We are forever hearing about the importance of growth, development, and prosperity. But invariably the discussion is predominantly an economic one. Everything is couched in terms of competitiveness, rates of return and financial reward. These things are—of course—important. But they are not the only indicators of a healthy nation or a wealthy world. Because our wellbeing cannot be measured in purely economic terms.

Things like, sustainability, cohesiveness, compassion, cooperation and respect also matter. They matter because they are the basis of true prosperity. A holistic prosperity that we need—that the world needs—to be truly as one. And this is something that you, as members of The Global Foundation, know only too well. And it is your vision, enthusiasm, and generosity that is providing the balance and humanity that is so crucial:

• For development that is inclusive, sustainable and equitable.
• And for development where notions of the public good, of faith and ethics and of a global community, really count and really contribute to our collective welfare.

And we see these principles in The Global Foundation’s work:

• In your promotion of ethical and effective global governance.
• In your initiatives to encourage trade and food security across the region.
• And in events like the Boardroom Series—where you bring together leaders and thinkers, all with different fields of expertise, to think laterally about how we can make growth work—not just on the balance sheet—but for people.

The capacity of The Global Foundation to instigate positive change and harness the limitless potential we all share is something you can be rightly proud of.

It is an honour to be your Patron.

And I thank you for your determination to do something we all have a responsibility to do—and that is to make our world a truly better place.

Thank you.