Gone fishing ....

An African immersion programme aimed at connecting present and future decision makers in Corporate Australia and New Zealand with the peoples of South Africa. This program aims to influence vibrant and capable future local and global decision makers linked to the Mimiki Foundation and the Edmund Rice Network to better understand the relationship between the majority and minority worlds.

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Motivation:Corporate executives are obviously women and men who have influence over the decision-making structures that will determine the world of tomorrow. The Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers in recognising this reality also believes that the voices of the majority world need to be valued and heard if we are to create a world our grandchildren’s children and those of the majority world will be able to thrive in. Reflection upon our interconnectedness and interdependence can liberate us all.

The ‘Gone Fishing’ program is an opportunity to bring ~ 3 ~

these two influences together. It aims to introduce present/future corporate leaders into a direct, one on one relationship with people engaged in advocacy programs within South Africa. The program invites participants to reflect upon these relationships in order to build a deeper understanding of the transformational ability of individuals to affect positive change in their immediate, respective worlds.

The programme will aim to engage participants in critical social analysis, break open the effects of dualistic thinking and empower each individual to see themselves as part of the solution. The empowerment that each participant will hopefully achieve will be placed squarely within a sense of reciprocity between each other as members of both the minority and majority worlds.

The invitation to ‘teach each other to fish’ – will lead to empowerment for both groups for the longer term – both locally and globally. Creating a sense of reciprocal empowerment aims to take the individual participants from Australia and New Zealand beyond a charity response of writing out a one off cheque and invite them to critically reflect how their own company and each of them personally can also be a part of longer term solutions. Hopefully this respect filled relationship will enable individual participants from South Africa to feel as though their work towards creating a world in which their own children and great grandchildren can thrive, is recognised, valued and supported by people from the minority world.

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Evaluation

The pilot Gone Fishing program took place April 4th-April 15th. The attendees of the pilot program were as follows;Brendan Johnson State Manager for MLCShane Arnold Director for Australian Financial Advisors (AFA)Robert Gundelach Macquarie Bank Senior advisorClaire Seldon Director Yahoo 7Joanne Silcock Brisbane Racing Club Senior Marketing ExecutiveCaitlin Lavin Entrepreneur

The aim of this program was to introduce 6 dynamic future corporate leaders to a justice immersion that was linked to the ongoing work of the Christian Brothers.It was hoped that by doing this immersion each participant would achieve the following;

1. An understanding of their ability to be an effective agent for change/justice within their own corporate entity

2. To be introduced to the work of the Christian Brothers and to build relationship with the Stellenbosch novitiate, Edmund Rice Camps, and other advocacy programs linked to the ongoing ministries of the Christian Brothers.

3.4. Develop an empathy and a respect for the work of the

Christian Brothers and5. Build a long lasting relationship with the ongoing work of

the Christian Brothers

It was hoped that by proceeding with the Gone Fishing program that the Oceania Province would achieve the following;

1. A group of future business leaders attuned and respecting the Ministry work of the Christian Brothers, particularly within Oceania province

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2. A future fundraising and profiling base which will support the ongoing work of the Oceania Province

3. Over time there will develop a ‘critical mass’ of corporate leaders who have attended the Gone Fishing Program and will therefore promote within their own networks the Ministries of the Oceania Province.

Immediate Benefits of the program1. Each participant from the pilot paid $5,000 to attend the

Gone Fishing program.2. Each participant has already engaged in support of the

Oceania Province e.g.a)Brendan Johnson arranged for MLC/NAB to purchase the

head table for $15,000b)Joanne Silcock arranged for two auction items that

provided $8,500 at the Edmund Rice Dinnerc) Caitlin Lavin purchased two tables at the dinner for

$3,000d)Shane Arnold bought a table for $1,500e)Robert Gundelach provided four tables to the dinner at a

cost of $6,000f) Each of the Gone Fishing participants have agreed to join

the Committee for the Mimiki Race Day which will be directing 60% of profits toward the Oceania Province (Edmund Rice Camps, East Timor, Philippines)

g)Claire Seldon (Yahoo 7) will be providing the venue and sponsorship for the Edmund Rice Cocktail Party in Sydney

h)Each participant has agreed to support the Gone Fishing advocacy programs in Cape Town to the tune of $15 per fortnight. This is to ensure that each participant is able to have a life time link to the advocacy group that they worked alongside in Cape Town.

3. Not only has the Gone Fishing program provided an extraordinary opportunity for future business leaders to engage and respect the work of the Christian Brothers, there has been a clear financial benefit to the Province as result of their participation.

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This is quite impressive when you take into account that this was initially supposed to be a long term fundraising initiative.

WHY AFRICAThe Gone Fishing Program is a unique corporate justice and leadership program. It is different to other programs because it provides each participant with the opportunity to experience the majority world while at the same time having a ‘foot’ placed in the minority world. It is the subtle comparisons that each participant can make whilst in Cape Town that makes all the difference. Cape Town is important to the ongoing success of Gone Fishing for the following reasons.

1. Very clear examples of the majority world living alongside the minority world. All within 35 minutes’ drive of the novitiate and Edmund Rice projects.

2. South Africa is a destination on the ‘bucket list’ of most corporates. It is therefore a door opener for the Oceania Province to introduce corporates and like- minded individuals to the charism of Edmund Rice. Throughout the Gone Fishing experience within Cape Town we constantly refer to the programs that are happening with Oceania. A clear message throughout the program is ‘How do you bring the experience of South Africa back to your home town/Oceania Province. The Edmund Rice Dinner is already a clear example of how this has already transpired.

Recommendations

1. If we are to achieve a critical mass of corporate leaders within Australia d who have attended the Gone Fishing Program then we need to consider doing two Gone Fishing programs/year. One Gone Fishing program per year will mean that in ten years’ time we will only have 60 corporates within Oceania who can spread the word. My hope has always centred on having a large number of

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leaders from each region of Oceania (within 5 years) that have attended an Edmund Rice Program. This program will be highly respected (as long as we have the right staff involved). It has already received huge acclaims within the Brisbane CBD.

2. That we increase the cost for each participant to $6,000.3. That the Gone Fishing program continues to visit Cape

Town and be based at the Stellenbosch Community4. That we consider training a number of our Formation

leaders in the Gone Fishing program. In this way it will not be reliant on myself or Damien Price. I believe it makes good sense that if the vast number of participants who are attending Gone Fishing from a particular region (e.g. NSW) than we should utilise the talents of the Formation leader (e.g. Gerard Brady) within that region. This will allow for more efficient and regular debriefs of participants when they arrive back in Australia.

a)That we consider proceeding with a Gone Fishing Program in March/April next year (2012). This will allow us to keep the momentum moving forward regarding the Gone Fishing program

b)This will continue building a strong relationship with the advocacy groups within South Africa

5. The cost of the program for the Foundation will be approximately $10,000

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Immersion Tour:Date Activity Contact DetailsDay 1 April 510:35 Depart Sydney

Flight QF 63 (Arrive 15:30pm) Anthony Ryan +27 735 657 839

17:00 Depart JohannesburgFlight SA357 (arrive 19:10) Terminal B

20:00 Travel to Stellenbosch

21:00Supper and WelcomeEdmund Rice Camps, 4 Paradyskloof Road, Stellenbosch

Damien PriceEdmund Rice

Camps4 Paradyskloof Rd

StellenboschDay 2 April 6

07:00 Breakfast Anthony Ryan Table Mountain08:25 Practical for the Day Anthony Ryan08:30 Prebrief Damien Price TBA10:00 Depart for Cape Town Anthony Ryan Vand A Waterfront11:30 Depart for Robben Island15:30 Cape Town City Hall Anthony Ryan Spier Hotel17:30 Dinner2000 Debrief Damien Price StellenboschDay 3 April 707:00 Breakfast with Edmund Rice

Camps08:10 Practical for the Day Anthony Ryan08:15 Prebrief Damien Price

08:30Meet with Jennifer FrederichsMeet with Kids from Malawi Camps, Bon Esperance and St Kizito’s

Anthony RyanDamien Price

and Team

09:30 Travel to Immersion placementsSt Kizitos

St GabrielsGugeleto, NY 5

Sinenceba School at Malawi Camp

Malawi CampCorner Moddeton and Stellenbosch

ArterialBon Esperance Women and Children Refugee Centre

Bon EsperancePhillipi, 4 Ottery Rd

15:00 Pick up18:00 Travel to Stellenbosch

19:30Prepare dinner for ER CampDinner with ERC Cape TownDebrief of Day Damien Price

Day 4 April 807:00 Breakfast in rooms All07:55 Practical for the Day Anthony Ryan08:00 Prebrief Damien Price08:15 Travel to placement Anthony Ryan09:00 Immersion 1 continued Gugeleto, Malawi

Camp and Phillipi~ 10 ~

15:00Immersion concludesGoodbyes and presentation of gift

Camps bay

18:00 Debrief at Camps Bay Damien Price19:00 Dinner at Parangas

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Date Activity Contact DetailsDay 5 April 908:30 Breakfast All09:25 Practical for the Day Anthony Ryan

09:30Travel to KirstenboschJournallingOne on One check ins, Lunch

AnthonyAnthony, Mary and Damien

13:30 Leave for StellenboschFree Time / Markets Shopping Hout Bay

16:30 Leave for the Reds vs. Stormer’s game

Newlands StadiumJan Pickard Entrance

Day 6 April 1009:00 Llanga African Experience Anthony Ryan10:30 Morning Tea at Green Point /

sharing with novices Damien Price

11:30 Leave for the Cape of Good Hope/Markets All

18:30 Dinner at Stellenbosch Winery or The Strand Optional

Day 7 April 1107:00 Breakfast07:35 Practical foe the Day Anthony Ryan07:40 Prebrief Damien Price

08:00Leave for placements. Choice of:Malawi Camp, Bon Esperance, St Gabriels or Nazareth House

Anthony Ryan See above for addresses

15:00 Depart for Stellenbosch19:30 Debrief Damien PriceDay 8 April 1207:00 Breakfast07:35 Practical foe the Day Anthony Ryan07:40 Prebrief Damien Price08:00 Leave for Placements Anthony Ryan See above15:00 Depart for Stellenbosch Anthony Ryan Stellenbosch

Retreat Centre18:30 Dinner19:30 Debrief of Placements Damien PriceDay 9 April 1307:00 Leave for Safari at Sambona

Wildlife Reserve All Gondwana Family Lodge, Sambona

Day 10 April 1412:00 Depart for Stellenbosch

Braii with all advocacy groupsStellenbosch or Table Mountain

19:30 Final Debrief, Commissioning Anthony Ryan / Damien Price

Day 11 April 15Depart for Australia.

10:50 SA326 Cape Town INT to J’burgArrive J’burg 12:50 Terminal B

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18:15 QF64 to Sydney, Arrive Sydney 14:05

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Key Immersion Visits: Khyaletsha , Mitchell Plains, Phillipi, Gugeleto. Visits to

orphanages, schools, Mandela leadership program Cape Flats Immersions Table Mountain Robben Island Sambona National Park Safari

Key Contacts:Agency Contact person NumberGone Fishing Anthony Ryan

Damien PriceDr. Mary Murphy

+61 435 963 091 all hours Australian mobile+27 735 657 839 all hours African mobile+61 423 024 649+61 409 897 916

Stellenbosch Accommodation

Paul Hurley +27 21 880 2090

Edmund Rice CampsWestern Cape

Jennifer Frederichs +27 21 880 0795

AvisEdmund Rice Network Evona Ebelo 083 222 1048 or 083 212

0771

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