Our CEO Blog

“The military set our house on fire. Then they started killing people with machetes. Men, women, children. Everyone. We ran away and never went back. On our way … I walked into an abandoned village to look for food. I came across a big water reservoir where I wanted to get some water for the journey. When I got closer, I saw at least 50 dead bodies floating in it. I can’t forget the smell of the burning houses, or the sight of the bloated bodies. These are horrors I will never forget.”

Almost a decade ago, facing a near-collapse of the financial system and the risk of a depression, the world needed a new form of leadership to navigate and restore confidence in the global economy. That’s why, in 2009, at his first global summit as US president, Barack Obama joined then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to spearhead the G20’s upgrade, making it the world’s preeminent economic forum.

Uganda, your story of development, and progress, is extraordinary. Yet we know that it is placed at real risk by the conflict, and uncertainty, that lies just beyond your borders. You could have chosen to turn away from it. Put up walls to the problems of others. But no, Uganda has had the courage to step up.

It is a privilege to be here today.

Dubai truly is an international humanitarian city.

Not just because of the amazing system you have built here, to get aid fast to those who need it most.

But also because of your leading role in supporting new ideas and new partnerships. This is how we make humanitarian and development work the best it can be, for the people counting on us.

I am delighted to be here at Melbourne University. And to be here in Australia. It is my first ever visit.

I have enjoyed what I’ve seen so far. And I am looking forward to seeing much more over the next week. Including visiting some of the extraordinary work that Save the Children is doing with Indigenous communities in regional South Australia.