FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top institutions to join forces to tackle poverty
Two of New Zealand’s leading organisations, The University of Otago and World Vision New Zealand, are joining together
to enhance their efforts to alleviate poverty both globally and in New Zealand and the Pacific.
The partnership, due to be formally signed this Thursday 17 October, will bring together prominent academics,
development experts and students to collaborate on research, international programme design, workforce development and
to promote specialist debate around the causes and dynamics of poverty.
“The impact that we can have by working with World Vision is incredible – both nationally and around the globe,” said
Otago University Vice Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne. “We are looking forward to lending our expertise and offering
our students the opportunity to work with an organisation who is a leader in their field.”
“By joining forces with a renowned academic institution like Otago University, we can have even more impact on those
living in poverty,” said World Vision New Zealand CEO Chris Clarke. “It provides us with the opportunity to harness the
incredible research and expertise that comes out of Otago University and channel it into long lasting change here in New
Zealand and around the world.”
The partnership will go beyond the university’s International Development faculty and students and academics from across
the campus will have opportunities to work with World Vision.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne and World Vision CEO Chris Clarke will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
on Thursday. The partnership is World Vision New Zealand’s first with an academic institution.
ENDS