Foundation launch at Admiralty House

Geoffrey Cousins

This article was published in Living Ethics: issue 84 2011

On a balmy april evening St James Ethics Centre Patron, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC, welcomed 80 distinguished guests to the official launch of St James Ethics Foundation at Admiralty House. The sole purpose of the Foundation is to secure the continued existence, health and growth of St James Ethics Centre led by Dr Simon Longstaff.

Ms Bryce spoke warmly of her long association over two decades with the Ethics Centre and Dr Longstaff citing the significant work of St James Ethics Centre with individuals, businesses, professions, governments and community groups.

I marvel at the simplicity of the ethics question you pose: ‘What ought I to do?” and the complexity of the work it generates: corporate counselling, ethics training, leadership guidance, responsible business practice and the gentle navigation of Australians through highly sensitive, deeply personal issues.

Elaborating on the important and diverse contribution of the Ethics Centre to personal and professional lives, the Governor-General praised the introduction of ethics classes into primary schools, the exciting and provocative Intelligence Squared debates striking at the heart of today’s pressing issues and the interactive portal of The Hub cleverly linking Australia’s businesses to key global initiatives and resources that will guide them to responsible business practices. She outlined the important contribution and broad coverage of the Ethics Centre, praising the instillation of ethical deliberation in today’s youth, the development of ethical intelligence amongst future leaders and the initiatives building transparency, trust, confidence and comparability in organisations.

Her Excellency Ms Bryce also spoke about her previous collaboration with Dr Longstaff on an ethics board grappling with the complex and controversial issues of emerging reproductive technologies, his generosity in addressing young scholars and the respect of local communities for his insightfulness and courage.

I have been privileged to observe Dr Longstaff’s leadership across the past 20 years ... A philosopher brings special gifts to any discussion: Simon brings unique insight, wisdom and understanding; a fine intellect, training and experience; forthright offerings, a great capacity for friendship and outstanding perseverance. These are the hallmarks of leadership; they underpin the enormous contribution of St James Ethics Centre.

As Chair of the newly formed Foundation I was privileged to thank Ms Bryce for her warm welcome and talk of the Foundation’s commitment to a strong ethical framework in society. I appreciated this wonderful opportunity to explain the important role of the Foundation in anchoring the diverse and robust institution of St James Ethics Centre now and in the future. Operating both in Australia and abroad, the Centre is unique in the world for its broad scope of engagement and consultancy with major corporates, application of ethical principles to specific issues in public institutions, creation and management of public debates and support to the general community on ethical issues. The relief of suffering and distress is the cornerstone of St James Ethics Centre activities.

The Foundation offers a number of partnership benefits to contributors with the continued existence and health of the Ethics Centre as the lasting benefit for all. Since the Foundation launch we have discussed funding opportunities with a number of highly regarded Australian institutions. I am delighted to confirm several financial contributions already committed including a grant from New South Wales Government, three year national sponsorship of the Intelligence Squared debates by AMP and Foundation partnership commitment from Ausgrid, BHP Billiton, Leighton Holdings, Telstra and Westpac.