The head of the CEDA WA is hoping to bridge the gap between the profit and not-for-profit sectors.
Economic and social policy advocate Liz Ritchie hopes to draw on her experience and business connections to support an anti-poverty drive in Australia.
The Western Australian state director for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia has taken on the role of co-chairing local activities held as part of the long-running Anti-Poverty Week.
Ms Ritchie told Business News the event, which has largely been managed by leaders in the not-for-profit sector in the past, needed the addition of a co-chair, with business connections such as hers.
WA general manager of The Smith Family Greg Ryan-Gadsden was previously a co-chair and suggested Ms Ritchie take on the role, alongside St Bartholomew’s House chief executive Jon Berger, for the next two years.
“I think the reason that Greg really wanted to get me involved was to broaden the appeal, because I think in the past Anti-Poverty Week has sat with the core not for profits, who are involved specifically in that space,” Ms Ritchie said.
“CEDA’s reach is extremely wide and broad so I think this year we’ve been able to do a whole range of new activities and bring people along to get involved who otherwise wouldn’t have.”
Anti-Poverty Week is a nation-wide event focused at raising awareness of poverty and disadvantage in Australia, with each state running a series of events.
Ms Ritchie said she was confident there would be at least 50 separate events run across WA during the week, which runs from October 12 to 18.
One event will include the launch of an in-depth report of the state of poverty and disadvantage in Australia, written by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre.
Another is a festival being held in Forrest Place called ‘Expresstival’, which will feature artists, dancers and guest speakers, with all proceeds raised going to charities Manna Inc and The Smith Family.
Ms Ritchie said her perception of philanthropy in WA was that there were a small number of players doing the heavy lifting.
“If we realise that it takes one act of kindness to make a different to a person’s life, the culture of giving would change very quickly,” she said.
Ms Ritchie said the gap between rich and poor was increasing, which was a motivator for getting involved with Anti-Poverty Week.
“We have a responsibility to provide for those in need,” she said.
“We want to encourage a new mindset (and) a society of collective giving and generosity rather than a society that is individually focused.”
