‘A new age in ethical leadership’

‘A new age in ethical leadership’

A leading university and Australia’s most respected ethics institution have joined forces to tackle society’s most important challenges.

From September, Monash University and the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, will equip leaders with the skills required to navigate the world’s most complex ethical issues.

“In Australia, as in every nation, communities are working to address challenges of inequality, of sustainability and other complex issues, both old and emerging, which have the potential to impact on social cohesion and prosperity,” Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said.

However, Professor Gardner said solving these challenges “cannot be achieved without informed and thoughtful leaders who are able to mobilise others to action.”

“Monash strives to do so by training the next generation of leaders and applying our discoveries where they create the best impact,” she said.

“Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership makes its own unique contribution by providing invaluable opportunities for leaders to reflect deeply on the values they work by, and the judgements they make as leaders.”

Professor Gardner said the “remarkable” partnership brings together Monash’s mission “to solve the challenges of the age with the Cranlana Centre’s mission to cultivate wisdom in leadership”.

“Together, this represents a singular opportunity to leverage the strengths of both institutions to greatly amplify their impact and shape society for the better,” Professor Gardner said.

The Chair of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership, Kim Williams AM, said the partnership offered the chance to bring the Cranlana Centre’s expertise in ethical decision-making to even more prospective leaders, including Monash’s established alumni network.

“We look forward to welcoming many more future leaders to the Cranlana Centre and engaging them in philosophical discussions around how they can positively impact society,” Williams said.

“This partnership is an exciting step for the Cranlana Centre, and will help us ensure the development of bold, informed leadership in a diverse range of relevant future programs.”

Williams said Cranlana will continue to seek to develop and strengthen the capacity of its alumni to offer “wise and courageous judgement and direction” when responding to the many challenges that confront society.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership – an initiative of the Myer Foundation – has built a 4500-plus-strong alumni community that includes many of Australia’s most prominent leaders from across the private, public and community sectors.

Having joined forces with the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation in April 2019, the Cranlana Centre offers a suite of programs that includes the two-day industry-specific Symposia, six-day immersive Executive Colloquia, three-day Ethical Leadership program, and 12-month Vincent Fairfax Fellowship.

The Chair of the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation, Angus White, said the practice of ethical leadership is gaining as “a critical ballast” for senior leaders facing heightened community expectation alongside an acutely charged and complex environment.

“Drawing on decades of experience, the Cranlana Centre is uniquely placed to enable ethical leadership skills to leaders from diverse sectors through its programs,” White said.