Congratulations to our CEDoW staff involved in promoting sustainable development projects and solutions to poverty in disadvantaged communities in the Pacific – our Diocese has been awarded the ‘Sustainable Relationships Award’ at Palms Australia’s Solidarity Awards 2019.

The award recognises CEDoW’s long-term support of the work of Palms Australia, a Catholic volunteer agency that recruits skilled Australians to meet requests from partner communities overseas.  

It also recognises the current partnership of CEDoW with the Catholic Education Office in Kiribati – a project that involves CEDoW staff providing professional development for teachers in Kiribati schools – as well as our advocacy of important sustainable development goals that align with Palms’ own mission and efforts to build capacity within developing communities. 

Earlier this month, CEDoW Head of Catholic Life, Education and Mission, Ken Bryant, accepted the award on behalf of our Catholic Education Office and CEDoW staff.

“Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has long supported the extraordinary work of Palms in facilitating opportunities for staff to volunteer and offer their expertise in support of communities overseas” — Ken Bryant, CEDoW Head of Catholic Life, Education and Mission

CEDoW regularly welcomes Palms Executive Director, Roger O’Halloran and Network Coordinator, Kevin Wilson, to speak with CEDoW school principals and Religious Education Coordinators about the organisation’s initiatives, and continues to promote Palms’ work and their calls for volunteers.

Our office also seeks to encourage employee engagement with Palms, including reducing financial barriers to pursuing these volunteer opportunities such as offering continuing employment benefits and a guaranteed position upon return.

“CEDoW supports opportunities for all its staff to undertake the range of volunteer experiences offered through Palms, including helping disadvantaged communities abroad,” Mr Bryant said.

“This work through Palms – at the request of the communities themselves – is undertaken in a spirit of cultural awareness and personal generosity, building the ongoing capacity and sustainability of the communities in which they serve” — Ken Bryant, CEDoW Head of Catholic Life, Education and Mission

Palms Australia’s Solidarity Awards are held each year to recognise individuals and organisations that share Palms’ mission to achieve a world free of poverty. 

“We believe enabling people to open their palms and reach beyond every barrier of culture, religion, nationality and gender will empower cooperation to achieve a just, sustainable, interdependent and peaceful world free of poverty” – Palms Australia

“Palms is humbled by the dedication of our volunteers across Australia, who give their time to share with their local community the international mentoring placements available with Palms Australia. Their contribution assists Palms in educating communities across the country in models of sustainable development,” the organisation said.

For more information about Palms Australia, visit their website at www.palms.org.au