Global Access Partners
Global Access Partners is an independent non-profit institute for active policy that initiates strategic debate on the most pressing social, economic and structural issues facing Australia and the world today.
GAP acts as a catalyst for policy implementation and new economic opportunities.We look beyond the “what” and “why” of policy discussion, focusing instead on the “how” and “who” of policy delivery.
Through our pioneering Second Track programme, we foster links between community, government and business and promote innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches to problem-solving. Our alumni network comprises over 4,000 members. We run multidisciplinary taskforces, forums, workshops, consultative committees, research and feasibility studies, online collaboration, executive consultancy, joint ventures and business missions, both in Australia and internationally.
For every project, GAP contributes one third of the budget and raises two thirds in sponsorship. More than 1,000 people are actively engaged in various GAP projects at any one time, and over 120 sponsors fund various GAP projects. We work with federal and state governments, major corporate enterprises, peak industry and community bodies, universities and research institutes.
A Vision for Australia
A Vision for Australia is an annual Summit series designed to foster outcome-based engagement on key issues of value to Australia, such as productivity, infrastructure, education, innovation, job creation and prospects for future economic growth. Recommendations are then progressed through multidisciplinary taskforces, pilots and projects facilitated by GAP.
Each Summit’s theme is informed by the taskforces and stakeholder consultations run by GAP during the year.
2022 – The GAP Summit on Shared Identity
Held on 23 September 2022, this summit brought together 120 senior representatives from business, government, academia and the not-for-profit sector across 18 countries to discuss Australia’s relations in the Pacific. Participants offered their personal perspectives on related national and international issues, including the urgent threat of climate change, the power of education, and the ‘brain drain’ of Pacific talent to the Australian labour market. The Summit proposed several recommendations to progress over the coming year, including a radical rethink of traditional governance and economic models, to be discussed at a future GAP event.
The 2021 Summit explored the long-term opportunities for Australia as the world establishes a ‘new normal’ in the midst of an evolving pandemic and environmental crises. Participants suggested several priorities, including climate change, workforce training and technological innovation and a range of measures to ensure Australia’s prosperity and sustainability into the future. Outcomes include the establishment of two new GAP taskforces – a cross-sector industry-led taskforce on Jobs and Skills, and a ‘second track’ multidisciplinary taskforce on Positive Leadership.
The 2020 GAP Summit on National Resilience sought ways to safeguard Australia against future threats. Participants called for a comprehensive review of Australia’s resilience in preparation for natural hazards and geopolitical challenges, and agreed that Australian leaders should adopt a long-term bipartisan approach, informed by an independent National Resilience Institute.
The 2019 Summit ‘Beyond Education: Lifelong Learning for Australia’s Future’ addressed the challenges of retraining people as skills requirements change, and the impact of technology on the future workforce.
The 2018 Summit ‘Digital Trade and Opportunities for Our Region’ highlighted a major opportunity for Australia to advance digital trade by strengthening trade and investment links throughout the Indo-Pacific and opening new markets for SMEs.
The 2017 Summit – ‘Hidden Giants: The Future of Australia’s Midsize Business’ – outlined the need to boost the size and vitality of the Australian medium-sized business sector, leading to a healthier and more resilient economy.
The 2016 Summit on Spaces of Australian Innovation saw major opportunities for innovation in the emerging domestic satellite and space industry, as well as defence, and called for an ambitious, inspiring and bipartisan vision for Australia to unite and galvanise the country’s innovation effort.
The 2015 Summit on The Future of Jobs considered trends shaping the domestic and international labour markets and strategies to improve Australian skills, growth and employment.
The 2014 Summit on Education addressed the state of education in Australia today, from the importance of the early years to the Government’s tertiary reforms and beyond.
The 2013 Summit ‘Food Sustainability, International Food Markets and Agriculture’ discussed the performance and potential of Australian agriculture in domestic and international markets.
The 2012 GAP Annual Summit focused on productivity, public value and leadership.
The 2011 Summit on Population examined the impact and opportunities of Australia’s predicted population growth.
The inaugural 2010 GAP Economic Summit called for a wider definition of growth and emphasised the benefits of new parameters to measure economic and social progress.
Open Forum is a policy discussion website produced by Global Access Partners – Australia’s Institute for Active Policy. We welcome contributions and invite you to submit a blog or follow us on Linkedin, Mastadon. and Bluesky.
