Wars, trade disputes, political unrest and terrorism don’t just disrupt economies, they unravel communities, deepen inequalities and at their worst, cost lives.
In a world increasingly shaped by crisis, the withdrawal of major global development funding – particularly 2025’s devastating USAID cuts – is leading to undermined health systems, stalled progress on poverty, gender equality and education, and greater fragility in the face of climate and conflict.
For philanthropy and civil society, the stakes have never been higher.
As traditional forms of aid retreat, what kind of leadership is needed to respond to these cascading global challenges?
AIDN was pleased to recently host a Breakout Session at the Philanthropy Australia Leadership Summit in Canberra, in collaboration with the Judith Neilson Foundation.
Our Breakout Session, “In a World on Edge: What Leadership Demands Now”, featured Simon Goff (CEO at Purpose), Andrew Hudson (CEO of the Centre for Policy Development), Darrell Wade (Chair of the Intrepid Travel Foundation) and Annabelle Chauncy OAM (CEO of School for Life Foundation).
🌏 Our key takeaways?
👉 Innovative leadership can come from unexpected places.
The most powerful leadership often emerges from voices that aren’t expected to speak on serious issues – because they can reach audiences that traditional authorities can’t.
👉 Crisis can act as a catalyst.
The current disruptions are clearing ground for necessary innovation and shifting power dynamics.
👉 Solutions must come from communities.
Solutions to global challenges will come from the communities experiencing them, not from external experts or institutions.
Thank you to Philanthropy Australia, the Judith Neilson Foundation and our fantastic panellists.