“We’re going to be stronger together,” a humanitarian leader said.
Published on: 11-04-2020
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) leaders in the South Pacific region reported that ADRA Australia and ADRA New Zealand are working toward formalizing a new alliance.
As part of the global ADRA network, ADRA Australia and ADRA New Zealand share the same purpose to “serve humanity so all may live as God intended — free from poverty and disadvantage,” they said. The alliance is intended to make both organizations stronger, and as a result, have a greater reach and community impact. Leveraging resources and minimizing duplication of work in fulfilling this purpose is expected to increase efficiencies and organizational capacity.
“As humanitarian needs and priorities continue to change around the world, ADRA must also adapt to ensure that we can serve more people more effectively and extend God’s love and compassion to every person who needs help,” said ADRA president Michael Kruger. “This new alliance will allow us to do just that and will also help us to evaluate how ADRA’s global work can grow more rapidly and more successfully at such a critical time,” he added.
New Zealand Pacific Union Conference president Eddie Tupa’i concurred. “Our resources, when shared, will benefit us not only in terms of efficiency but also by tapping into the expertise that each ADRA office has,” he explained. “When we share those strengths, we will be a much more effective ministry body.”
Commencing January 1, 2021, the alliance will be implemented over two years. While maintaining independent registrations with the Charities Commission and meeting separate government and donor reporting requirements, ADRA in Australia and New Zealand will be governed by a common board, managed by a common management team and guided by common strategies.
“The alliance’s primary focus is to reach more vulnerable children, families and communities in the Pacific, Asia and Africa, and at home in Australia and New Zealand,” said ADRA Australia/New Zealand CEO Denison Grellmann.
The alliance is also intended to harness church-community partnerships, volunteerism, and a spirit of service to the less fortunate no matter where they are or their circumstances.
“Australia and New Zealand have always been close partners, and here we have an opportunity to work together to maximize our impact on the communities that ADRA supports,” said Australian Union Conference president Jorge Munoz.
“We’re going to be stronger together,” said Grellmann. “When you have a dedicated and professional team working together and sharing resources, the outcome is usually amazing, and it will surely be the case with the ADRA Australia/New Zealand team.”
ADRA Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and a signatory to ACFID’s Code of Conduct. ADRA New Zealand is a member of the New Zealand Council for International Development (CID) and a signatory to CID’s Code of Conduct. Both ADRA Australia and ADRA New Zealand are registered with the Charities Commission. ADRA is the worldwide humanitarian and development arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The global ADRA network spans 118 countries.
The original version of this story was posted by Adventist Record.
Ashley Stanton
To bind together the Adventist people as we wait for Jesus to come back, by sharing news and information about the church plus articles on doctrine, spiritual growth and mission.
