2016 UniSA Nelson Mandela Lecture
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Wealth of a Different Kind
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2016 UniSA Nelson Mandela Lecture, co-presented by
The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and the UniSA School of Law
Watch the YouTube video HERE
Geraldine Cox is often described as an Aussie living legend. This fierce and determined woman gave up a life of excess and luxury to live in Cambodia and look after some of the poorest people on the planet. An incredible storyteller, Geraldine will make you laugh, cry and think.
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In a country where traditional meanings of wealth have come to stand for corruption and inequality, the only wealth worth having is wealth of an entirely different kind. On the ground in Cambodia, this different kind of wealth can only come from putting the means to develop and advance into the hands of the individuals and communities of the nation. Ideas and practices around charity, philanthropy and our involvement in developing nations have come a long way since the 1990’s.
This is one woman’s story from the spear-head of this change. After 22 years as President and Founder of Sunrise Cambodia, Geraldine knows that community development with a focus on education and health is the only way to truly enable some of the poorest people in the world to create this tangible, lasting, wealth of a different kind.
Geraldine Cox AM
Geraldine Cox started her career with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs in 1970 at the age of 25. Her first posting was to the Embassy in Phnom Penh. Assignments followed in the Philippines, Thailand, Iran and the United States before Geraldine returned to live in Sydney to work for the Chase Manhattan Bank. In 1995 Geraldine found herself unemployed and decided to return to Cambodia, where she worked for Prince Norodom Ranariddh and helped look after orphans on weekends. In July 1997 a coup was launched in Cambodia. While most westerners fled Geraldine couldn’t abandon the children. She has since worked tirelessly to help protect and raise the children of Sunrise Cambodia where she is affectionately known as 'Big Mum'. Geraldine was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2001 for her work with children in Cambodia and was subsequently chosen for the Weary Dunlop Award.
More information
Sunrise Cambodia
ABC News: Geraldine Cox: 'Big Mum' on search for heir to Cambodian orphanage, welfare empire
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Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and the UniSA School of Law |
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While the views presented by speakers within the Hawke Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia or The Hawke Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: strengthening our democracy - valuing our diversity - and building our future.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within the Hawke Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.
