Global Centre for Catholic Leaders

Educating for Hope

The role of the Global Centre for Catholic Leaders is to bring together established and developing leaders whose purpose is transformative and ongoing formation.

The Church’s vision for Catholic Education is that it will promote fraternal humanism and integral human development, where communities of learning exist for people to thrive. Made in the image and likeness of God, persons achieve their common purpose when they work together, fostering intellectual, moral, and spiritual virtues. Excellence in Catholic education, in every subject area and for every person, can be a reality; it is always an aspiration. This Centre strives to support all levels of Catholic Education to achieve that vision, through forming its leaders.

Through the Centre, national and international scholars will both create and transmit cutting edge knowledge and experience. In response to the emerging challenges encountered by those engaged in Catholic leadership across diverse contexts, the Centre will provide an open space of enquiry and practice to co-construct informed responses.

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About us

The Centre will be the focal point for an interdisciplinary network of scholars, researchers, practitioners, leaders, communities and organisations coming together to engage in a synodal process of discernment, developing solutions to the most pressing challenges for contemporary leaders in Catholic organisations. The Centre will build up a network whose foundation is a community of practice grounded in a common vision of how humans can flourish.

The co-constructed informed responses will include:

  • Professional learning through coursework and a range of targeted programs
  • Personal companioning and accompaniment
  • Academy for leaders
  • Professionally responding with the Catholic framework of Integral Human Development to emerging issues such as mental health and wellbeing
  • Faith formation and induction programs for new employees
  • Programs that support governance in Catholic institutions
  • Formation opportunities
  • Alumni/ae engagements
  • Developing the capacity and capability of Catholic leaders

Meet our people

Our projects

  • 16 July - Faith Leaders Intensive (Darwin)
  • 28 July Faith Leaders Intensive (Sydney)
  • July 2026 to July 2027 - Take Courage. Lead Globally. World Youth Day 2027 formation and pilgrimage.
    • This unique opportunity to take part in a World Youth Day (WYD) 2027 experience that will draw together emerging Catholic leaders from across the globe to be at the forefront of Catholic education leadership going forward.
    • The program will provide opportunities for personal faith development, a deepening appreciation of the global Church and Catholic education systems, development of international networks, peer learning and the development of skills that will allow them to strategically direct education policy, ensuring it consistently reflects the depth and richness of Catholic teaching.
    • The pilgrimage to WYD in Seoul 2027 will be supported by a virtual formation program that will draw in an impressive array of speakers from across the globe.
  • 17 to 28 August - Various Engagements with Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Pique, authors of The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis in Fremantle, Perth, Broome, Melbourne, Parramatta and Sydney.
  • 11 September - In conversation with Abbot Christopher Jamison (Brisbane)
  • 20 October - Framing the Future Symposium with Abbot Christopher Jamison (Sydney)
  • 22 to 23 October - Catholic Leaders Retreat with Abbot Christopher Jamison at the Mary MacKillop Centre Baulkham Hills.
  • 3 to 13 of November - A series of engagements with Cardinal Mario Grech in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Broome.
  • 18 to 25 April 2027 - Integral Human Development Intensive (Rome). For more information email gccl@nd.edu.au

Past projects

System Leaders Formation Program 2026

The focus of this program was on developing the readiness of all, through formation for mission, to lead in school systems.  Whether system leaders be senior school leaders, professionals who contribute to finance, psychology, technology or business development, this program provided an opportunity to grow  professional capacity, vocational motivation and capacity for mission and service in the Church and the world. Six modules unpacked:

  • Leading Mission
  • Networking and collaboration
  • Communication and messaging
  • Strategic Leadership and School Improvement
  • Analytics and Data Informed Practice
  • Stewardship and Catholic Social Teaching

This program will be run again in June 2027, for more information email gccl@nd.edu.edu

"Bridges of Hope" 2026

Bridges of Hope, focused on the need for Catholic leaders to respond to a fragmented and polarised world by becoming builders of connection rather than division. Using the contrast between maps (which can divide) and bridges (which connect), the day emphasised that Christian hope is relational, grounded in encounter, and calls leaders to move beyond comfort to engage with others through listening, collaboration, and inclusion. Drawing on the wisdom of Professor Tracey Rowland, Professor Leonardo Franchi, Michael McGirr and Laura Avery, the day focussed on our shared humanity and interconnectedness, urging leaders to embrace synodal, hope-filled leadership that fosters dialogue, unity, and possibility, even amid complexity.

"Towards Resilient Leadership: Lessons from St Patrick" 2026

In discussion with Fr Eamonn Conway and Professor Stephen Bullivant, the session drew on the example of St Patrick to explore key qualities of effective, faith-informed leadership: choosing forgiveness over resentment as a path to freedom and growth, leading from a strong sense of calling rather than status or authority, and engaging others. It also emphasised the power of authenticity, showing how vulnerability and honesty build trust and deepen relationships. Together, these themes encouraged participants to lead with purpose, humility, and empathy in complex and changing contexts.

Catholic Curriculum 2025

Professor Leonardo Franchi presented to the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited (CACGEL) Board and Executive Leadership Planning Day.  He spoke on the curriculum offered in the Catholic school and how it contributes to a wider dialogue on the nature of education and schooling, enabling the Church’s educational agencies to offer a distinctive vision of education to the diverse range of students. This forms part of a series of work Professor Franchi is engaged with at CACGEL.

Rome Integral Human Development 2025

Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) worked with Father Eamonn Conway, Professor of Integral Human Development, Notre Dame Australia to develop an understanding of wellbeing from a Catholic perspective and to develop appropriate wellbeing resources for use in Catholic educational settings.

The colloquium was supported by Academic Consultants from the University of Notre Dame Australia and engaged twenty-nine participants including fifteen from CEWA, a member of the National Catholic Education Commission, and Catholic Education services in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The project focused on:

  • Forming Christ-centred Leaders
  • Catholic Identity
  • Catholic Schools of Excellence
  • Catholic Pastoral Communities

The Colloquium took place at the Villa Palazzola in Rome from April 27 – May 5, 2025.

Kilkenny Ireland 2023

International Perspectives on Forming Catechists and Catholic Educational Leadership

St Kieran’s College welcomed people who attended two exciting conferences. The two conferences – one on International Perspectives on Forming Catechists and the second on International Perspectives in Catholic Educational Leadership, drew together an impressive group of speakers on these topics. These conferences were a collaboration between St Kieran’s College and the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Catechists will play a key role in our Church in the years to come. Aware of both the importance of this ministry in the life of the Church internationally and of Catholic educational leadership in general everywhere, the Diocese of Ossory hosted these Conferences.

Our global partners

Contact us

If you would like to know more about the Global Centre for Catholic Leaders, we encourage you to email us at gccl@nd.edu.au.