Food crisis in West Africa
Millions of children and their families in West and Central Africa face a growing humanitarian disaster as a food crisis intensifies across the region.
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Ian Wishart is CEO of Plan in Australia. He is one of Australia's most experienced professionals in international development.
Ian Wishart Biography
Ian Wishart
CEO Plan in Australia
Ian Wishart is one of Australia’s most experienced professionals in international development.
His involvement extends from the grassroots of rural development to senior leadership roles in international non-government organisations. His career has traversed the neediest parts of our world, and often at momentous times, such as the genocide in Rwanda; the rebuilding of Cambodia; and the chaos in Somalia. He has also witnessed literally hundreds of the quieter but important improvements to people’s lives brought about by international development such as the opening of schools, water supplied and health clinics. In many ways he has seen it all, both the best and worst in human kind, yet he remains an optimist, convinced that a better future for the world’s children is achievable.
Ian is currently the CEO of Plan in Australia. This fits with Ian’s passion for the betterment of children’s lives, as Plan is an international organisation dedicated to helping children realise their full potential. Since 2001 Ian has led Plan through a period of growth and renewal in Australia lifting its profile and support.
Prior to joining Plan, Ian worked for World Vision for 11 years holding the position of Country Director in Laos, and the positions of Manager of Strategic Planning and Manager of Emergency Relief in Australia.
Ian is a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) which is the peak body for the international aid sector.
Ian is a confident, insightful public speaker who has the ability to translate his international experiences and communicate his commitment to children in a way that really cuts through to the heart of the matter.
Ian holds a Science Degree from the Australian National University , a Graduate Diploma in Education from Canberra University, and Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Mount Eliza Business School. Ian is also a graduate of the Sir Edward Weary Dunlop Asian Leadership Program.
A father of three, Ian devotes much of his time away from work to his own children, helping them to achieve their potential.
Countries visited in the course of Ian’s work: Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.