Nā Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive update
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Paul Atkins shares an update for Members.
Tēnā koutou, and welcome to the relaunched LINK newsletter.
Our communication with you, and vice versa, is hugely important as we head at speed into 2024 and progress our work in planning for the next 3-year period in line with our recently released long-term strategy.
On the topic of our 20-year strategy, I am very grateful to everyone, and there were many, who contributed to the conversations leading to its development. As well as leading to a clear statement of our vision, purpose and high-level strategic priorities, the dialogue we had with members and stakeholders from all over the country (including input from some of our international counterparts), has been one of the most valuable elements in the process.
We heard very clearly during this process that our independence, breadth of membership with the Academy at its core, and ability to convene experts from a wide range of disciplines to focus on solutions to complex issues, are all critical factors in our ability to be a trusted source of advice at both governmental and general public levels.
Please do have a read of our long-term strategy if you have not already.
Our Council recently met to discuss and agree a number of key strategic objectives for the coming 3-year period. This is work that will be over-and-above current business-as-usual activities and that will propel priority areas forward within the framework of the 20-year document. This nearer-term planning coincides with our President-elect, Dame Jane Harding, taking over the reins as President from 1 July this year.
Statement of purpose:
Growing pathways of knowledge to enable science and research to be shared for the benefit of all.
Our statement of purpose has at its core a call for us to be outward looking, to seek ways of applying the extraordinary breadth and depth of knowledge within our membership for the betterment of all.
There is no doubt in my mind that our current activities are entirely consistent with this direction. However, the questions of how we amplify our impact and influence, grow our connections with people and broader networks, and support a knowledge generating and sharing system that has been under considerable stress in recent years, all remain to be addressed in the coming months.
We are actively exploring ways of doing that and welcome your assistance in creating the positive impacts our organisation can and should be having for our country.
I look forward to keeping you up-to-date with developments in coming months and, in the meantime, welcome your feedback.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Paul Atkins
Chief Executive