The University of Notre Dame Australia is delighted to announce that it has opened a new Global Centre for Catholic Leaders in September this year.
Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Registrar, Prof Renée Köhler-Ryan, explained the aim of the Centre is to provide a nucleus for leadership formation, through professional learning and mentoring
“It will be a leadership academy with governance programs, mental health and well-being resources grounded in integral human development; faith formation, induction, and board formation programs; academic study, formation opportunities and alumni engagement, “ Prof Köhler-Ryan said.
“The Centre will strengthen and deepen national and international partnerships, to foster excellence, hope, and human flourishing in Catholic education and leadership across the globe,” she continued.
Not limited by a physical structure, the Centre will draw on existing staff nationally to carry out its operations.
The Centre is now inviting Catholic education stakeholders to join its global network of scholars, educators, and leaders.
In an exclusive interview with The Record, Prof Renee Kohler-Ryan detailed that Centre came about through conversations with national and global partners.
“This helped the University understand that while there are some common trends and needs, often work is happening in a very siloed way and that can feel quite isolating,” Prof Köhler-Ryan said.
“Members of the University found that when we bring various stakeholders from the Catholic Education sector together internationally, they learn a lot (together) and can come up with great solutions – especially when working with the University.
That ‘work’ happening in the background, Prof Köhler-Ryan continued, includes discussing and strategising how educators should meet the current challenges across Catholic education, including in the primary, secondary and tertiary space.
So what are some of the challenges?
Realising the purpose of education, in that it is not just about teaching or gaining life skills, but also about understanding the dignity of every person and that human flourishing is about more than just getting a job, Prof Köhler-Ryan highlighted.
“It is imperative that we emphasise that Catholic education is about the whole person striving to live in a flourishing community oriented towards God,” she said.
Prof Köhler-Ryan also noted that while the University is starting the Centre in the education sector, they are keen commence work in other sectors. She was herself one of several people who identified the needs for the Centre and its aims in consultation with others who are working in this space internationally.
The Centre will be headed by Laura Avery as the inaugural Director who has now commenced her position from the first of September this year.
Her appointment marks a beginning for the Centre, whose mission is to support and form leaders who are deeply rooted in faith, committed to service and equipped to meet the evolving challenges of Catholic organisations.
Laura brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. For the past five years she has served as the Mission and Policy Advisor for the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).
Her work with the Commission has included serving as a member of NCEC’s Faith Formation and Religious Education Standing Committee, as well as the Executive Officer for the NCEC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Network.
An excellent educator, Laura’s work has taken her to the Northern Territory, Victoria, NSW and the United Kingdom. Her national experience has also included engagement with Catholic Education South Australia on the Religious Education curriculum and Catholic Education Western Australia on their Integral Human Development framework.
She was a member of the “Missionary and Evangelising” Discernment and Writing Group for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
With national and global experience and a passion for bringing leaders together, Laura is well-placed to lead the Centre in its first phase.
The Centre webpage will launch soon.
For more information about the Centre, please contact gccl@nd.edu.au.