GAP 2025: A Year of Reinvention

Over the past 27 years, Global Access Partners has continually adapted in response to changing circumstances, economic pressures and national priorities. Agility and reinvention have long defined our modus operandi. This year, however, presented a transformation unlike any we have previously encountered. The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence has reshaped our thinking and compelled us to reimagine GAP’s role in a future where technology is advancing faster than traditional policy and community structures can respond.

Like many organisations, we have begun integrating generative AI tools into our daily work, expanding both our capabilities and our horizon of possibilities. This shift has challenged us to consider how GAP can continue to serve as a national convenor while also helping Australia navigate profound technological and societal transitions.

At the same time, 2025 was a year of meaningful activity, reflection and impact for GAP, its philanthropic arm, the Fritz Family Foundation (FFF), and its sister organisation working in the Pacific, the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP). Together they demonstrated the power of connecting national level policy thinking with practical community-based support, a balance that will become even more important as AI reshapes systems, workforces and communities.

For GAP, the year was defined by its hallmark role as a convenor of leaders across government, business, academia and civil society. Preparations began early for the Orvieto Leadership Summit held in in Italy in June, which brought global experts together to explore the topic “Creative insights for Transformational Human Decision Making” and the qualities required of modern leaders. The resulting Orvieto Statement called for interdependent leadership grounded in empathy, responsibility and long-term thinking. It became a touchstone for GAP’s direction in 2025 and reinforced our commitment to strengthening human leadership alongside technological adaptation.

Building on this foundation, GAP later convened the Intergenerational Summit at NSW Parliament House, bringing together 115 leaders to examine Australia’s shifting demographic landscape. From the pressures of an ageing population and issues of intergenerational equity to the workforce transitions driven by emerging technologies, the Summit produced a set of recommendations that GAP will advance over the coming year through its Second Track process.

GAP also contributed across education, technology and social policy. A partnership with the Science Teachers Association of NSW and UC Berkeley led to a teacher training pilot aimed at strengthening scientific critical thinking in schools. This work was a direct response to insights from the Nobel Prize Dialogue Sydney 2023 Virtual Event.

In parallel, GAP progressed a major strategic milestone with the transition of its longstanding Journal of Behavioural Economics and Social Systems (BESS) to Emerald Publishing, widening its global reach while maintaining governance through an editorial board position.

While GAP focused on national and international issues, FFF worked to translate these principles into local community impact. The most exciting development was the ACNC’s approval for FFF to expand its remit to support educational initiatives for all ages groups right through to lifelong learning. FFF will focus on secondary school education and upskilling older members of our communities.

This year, our major project was the completion and evaluation of the Wrap Around Project with Mittagong Community Playgroup. The pilot embedded allied health professionals into a playgroup environment to deliver early childhood support that is often difficult to access in regional areas. With strong engagement from families and positive outcomes, the Foundation has now received funding from Mittagong RSL Club to advance this work. There are 60 families each week accessing the facilitated playgroup services that cater to children aged 0-6 and their families. The work of the Playgroup’s dedicated team of professional teachers, led by Pauline Iacono and Michelle Hinton, was acknowledged in a community recognition statement by Wollondilly MP Judy Hannan at NSW Parliament House.

ICDP strengthened its Pacific network this year through close collaboration between Hub Coordinators and the GAP Sydney team, supporting initiatives such as the Count Her In dialogue in Suva and women’s health information outreach in Nadi. Our Pacific community members achieved significant milestones, including appointments to global leadership programs and expanded entrepreneurial support in the region. The year concluded with Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu delivering the inaugural ICDP Hon Christopher Pyne Lecture at the GAP Intergenerational Summit, sharing powerful Pacific insights on family, faith and responsibility.

Internally this year, GAP trained and supported three student interns – Anna Macoustra, Eleonore Purvis and Nandita Deodhar – each of whom made a significant contribution to our work before moving on to exciting next steps in their careers.

Looking toward 2026, GAP is well positioned to deepen its work on intergenerational policy, AI and workforce transitions, cross-sector collaboration and international development. As our organisation continues to evolve, our mission remains clear: contributing to a more resilient and future-ready Australia.

The team at GAP wishes you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season and we look forward to working together in 2026 and beyond.