Oaktree (foundation)
Founded | 2003[1] and incorporated on 13 February 2008[2][3] |
---|---|
Founder | Hugh Evans and Nicolas Mackay |
Type | International aid and development charity |
Focus | Youth empowerment, upskilling and capacity building. |
Location |
|
Area served | Cambodia and East Timor |
Method | Political advocacy and development through partnership, led by young people |
Members | 200,000 (2014) |
Key people | Zahra Al-Hilaly & Lucie Tolhoek, Co-CEO's |
Revenue | A$2.27m (2013)[4] |
Volunteers | 150 (2014) |
Website | oaktree |
Formerly called | The Oaktree Foundation |
Oaktree is an Australian-based,
Oaktree collaborates with like-minded youth partners in countries like Timor-Leste and Cambodia. Together, they grow the capability and influence of young people across their region.
In Australia, Oaktree focuses on upskilling young people and advocating for the value of youth voices. Their community-driven campaigns connect young Australian voices to decision-makers to influence policy change on issues of justice, like Australian aid.
History
Oaktree was founded in
Oaktree has invested over A$2.5 million into aid development projects between 2003 and 2012.[5][self-published source?][self-published source?]
Mission
The mission statement of Oaktree as of 2018 is "Oaktree is young people leading, demanding and creating a more just world." Oaktree aspires to achieve its mission in three ways:[6][self-published source?]
- Funding education and leadership projects overseas which build capacity and empower young leaders in the Asia Pacific region.
- Building the capacity and influence of young people in Australia.
- Influencing policy change towards a more just world.
As of October 2013, Oaktree has an office in every Australian state and in the Australian Capital Territory. With 125,000 supporters and 350 volunteer staff as at 31 December 2011, Oaktree generated A$1.76 million in revenue.[7][8]
International development projects
Oaktree supports the following international aid and development:[9][self-published source?]
- Cambodia: Beacon's School Initiative by redeveloping school environments to better suit the climate and culture
- East Timor: Youth Livelihoods that provides income generation opportunities for youth groups in the Aileu districts
- East Timor: Youth Empowerment Peace Building Project that builds capacity for young people to prevent, manage and resolve violent situations peacefully and without violence
- South Africa: HIV/Aids Peer Mentorship Scheme that aims to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among high school aged students in the province of KwaZulu Natal
- Papua New Guinea: Men and Women's Vocational Training Project that works to address issues of gender inequality, youth unemployment, low literacy rates and lack of vocational training in Port Moresby
- Papua New Guinea: Yangis Community School Teacher Training to give people in the remote location of Yangis a higher education so that a school will be re-opened in their community
National programs
Oaktree runs educational programs that aim to transform Australians into dedicated and effective agents of change in acting on extreme poverty.
Other smaller programs include Generate and Schools 4 Schools focused on advocacy and peer-to-peer education respectively.
In 2009, Oaktree claimed that, together with World Vision and other advocacy groups, their advocacy via the End Child Slavery campaign contributed to an announcement by Cadbury Australia that it will change its milk chocolate range to fair trade sources.[11]
In 2020, Oaktree joined the 'End COVID For All' campaign, a collective group of organisations who support the assistance of vulnerable nations in the light of COVID-19.
Chief Executive Officers
Name | Term |
---|---|
Zahra Al-Hilaly & Lucie Tolhoek | 2023–present |
Thenu Herath | 2021–2023 |
Shani Cain[12] | 2019–2020 |
Sashenka Worsman | 2016–2019 |
Chris Wallace | 2014–2017 |
Viv Benjamin[13] | 2012–2014 |
Tom O'Connor | 2009–2012 |
David Toovey | 2008–2009 |
Hugh Evans[1] | 2003–2008 |
References
- ^ a b c Farouque, Farah (15 March 2008). "Out to change the world". The Age. Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "Historical details for ABN: 39 129 680 584". ABN lookup. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "National Names Index". Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Commonwealth of Australia. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Consolidated financial report for the year ended 31 December 2013" (PDF). Oaktree. 30 April 2014. p. 1. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ "Our Work Overseas". Oaktree Foundation. The Oaktree Foundation. 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Annual Report 2011" (PDF). The Oak Tree Foundation Australia. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012.[self-published source?] [verification needed]
- ^ "Annual Report 2011" (PDF). The Oak Tree Foundation Australia. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012.[self-published source?] [verification needed]
- ^ "Consolidated financial report for the year ended 31 December 2011" (PDF). The Oaktree Foundation Australia. 19 May 2012. p. 1. Retrieved 13 October 2012. [verification needed]
- ^ "Annual Report 2011" (PDF). The Oak Tree Foundation Australia. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ Gould, Janie (May 2011). "Live below the line". Heywire. Australia: ABC. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Oaktree and World Vision Claim Cadbury Fairtrade Victory". Pro Bono News. Australia. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- ^ "Oaktree announces new CEO". Third Sector – News, Leadership and Professional Development. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ West, Andrew (29 August 2012). "New CEO for the Oaktree Foundation" (transcript). Religion and Ethics Report. Australia: ABC Radio National. Retrieved 13 October 2012.