Foundation for Development Cooperation provides gift to further Institute’s work in the Pacific

The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) has committed ongoing funding to support the Lowy Institute’s work on the Pacific Islands region.

The FDC, founded by Bill Taylor AO, has been a significant contributor to the international debate on financial inclusion for the poorest of the poor for more than 30 years.

Through the Banking with the Poor network, established in 1995, the FDC has been instrumental in bringing together central and commercial banks, NGOs and social enterprises across Asia and the Pacific to shape a more inclusive financial system for the poor.

The FDC has now decided to wind down its operations and provide a gift to the Institute of $2.7M to further the Institute’s work on the Pacific Islands region.

The FDC has previously provided the Institute with support to establish an annual Pacific Lecture, delivered by a distinguished leader from the Pacific Islands, and a Research Fellow position for a Pacific Islander to work at the Institute on issues of consequence to the prosperity of the region.

Past FDC Pacific Lecturers include the Prime Minister of Fiji, the Hon Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, and the Prime Minister of Samoa, the Hon Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.

The Lowy Institute’s Executive Director, Dr Michael Fullilove AM, said: “The FDC’s continued funding will allow us to continue the Institute’s Pacific Lecture and sustain our Research Fellowship to embed talented scholars from the Pacific Islands in our research program over a number of years.”

“It is a great vote of confidence in the Institute’s Pacific Islands Program, led by Mihai Sora and including Dr Meg Keen and Dr Jessica Collins, as well as our current FDC Fellow Oliver Nobetau and former fellow Maholopa Laveil,” Dr Fullilove said.

“It is also a testament to the work of past generations of Lowy Institute staff who have established the Institute’s reputation for excellent research and events, especially in relation to the Pacific.”

MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Griffits
Head of Media and Communications
media@lowyinstitute.org