Global Access Partners

16/10/2026

We are delighted to promote an exhibition marking 70 years since the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, on display at NSW Parliament House until 30 October. It remembers those who stood against Soviet control and celebrates the Hungarian community's contribution to multicultural Australia.

Organised by the Hungarian Council of NSW, the exhibition brings together archival photographs, artworks, family memorabilia and stories of Hungarian refugees who made Australia their home.

GAP Chairman Peter Fritz AO is a prominent member of the Australian Hungarian community, and this anniversary is a chance to reflect on the community’s history and the importance of democracy and freedom.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/visit-parliament/events-exhibitions/art-exhibitions/hungarian-1956

12/10/2026

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 – 𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

GAP is delighted to announce that the successful Scientific Critical Thinking teacher training programme run by the Science Teachers Association of New South Wales is expanding nationally, with the Australian Science Teachers Association joining the initiative and the programme now open to teachers across Australia.

The next session, ‘𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴’, will be held on Tuesday 20 October. Delivered in partnership with UC Berkeley and Global Access Partners, the programme provides teachers with practical training and classroom activities to help students develop scientific critical thinking skills.

The session’s focus on evaluating thinking has never been more relevant. Students are constantly exposed to information and claims through social media and in everyday life. The session will explore how teachers can help students evaluate information more effectively, including through strategies such as slow thinking and an actively open mindset, to make more informed judgements and recognise the influence of cognitive biases.

To learn more and register, visit https://stansw.asn.au/event/scientific-critical-thinking-network-term4/

01/10/2026

We are excited to announce that Mittagong RSL Club has renewed its support for the Mittagong Community Playgroup for a second year through the ClubGRANTS program.

A big thank you to Mittagong RSL Club and ClubGRANTS for their continued support of the Playgroup and local families!

Established by the Fritz Family Foundation in 2020, following years of GAP’s research into integrated models of early childhood education and care, the Mittagong Community Playgroup continues to grow as a popular community hub, offering high-quality early learning and development support to families across the Southern Highlands.

15/09/2026

Today is International Day of Democracy. This year's focus is on deliberative democracy, bringing the diverse voices of citizens into national conversations and decision-making to foster greater agency and ownership.

At GAP, we don't just celebrate deliberative democracy once a year, we work towards it every day, through our work in scientific critical thinking and civics education. Since 2023, we've partnered with Nobel laureate Prof. Saul Perlmutter and his team at UC Berkeley to explore how the reasoned, evidence-based conversations scientists have with each other can strengthen government and public debate.

GAP is leading initiatives to embed scientific critical thinking across NSW and Australian curriculums, with programs focused on evaluating evidence, reasoning through complex issues, and applying scientific thinking to real-world contexts, skills that are essential to an informed and resilient democracy.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/democracy-day

15/09/2026

TCG Group News: Australia’s privacy laws are undergoing major reform: a once-in-a-decade opportunity to help shape the future of privacy protection. In the latest IIS Partners post, the team explains what these reforms mean and why the detail will matter.

https://www.iispartners.com/insights/2026/09/beyond-notice-and-consent-three-reflections-on-australias-privacy-reforms

By Malcolm Crompton and Chong Shao The most significant update to the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) since the 2014 amendments has been unveiled by the Australian Government . It is coming amidst anxiety about emerging risks surrounding new technologies, including artificial intelligence and

10/09/2026

The Journal of Behavioural Economics and Social Systems ( ) has transitioned to Emerald Publishing, which is now making the journal’s 2019–2025 archive freely accessible online.

brought together , and approaches to tackling complex global challenges.

The archive provides a valuable repository of research and ideas, while the new journal, Global Challenges and Responsible Solutions ( ), takes shape.

Explore the archive, including the most-read, cited and downloaded articles:
https://www.emerald.com/gcrs/issue/browse-by-year

03/09/2026

The GAP team is proud to support International Centre for Democratic Partnerships - ICDP’s second Financial Literacy Dialogue, ‘Money Smart, Business, Strong’.

GAP Managing Director and ICDP Director Catherine Fritz-Kalish AM will co-facilitate the session alongside ICDP Hub Coordinator Georgina Benson and guest speaker Betsy Westcott.

To register and learn more about the dialogue visit the ICDP website: https://www.icdp.com.au/2026/08/20/financial-literacy-online-dialogue2/

We are excited to announce that registration for our second ICDP Dialogue on Financial Literacy is now open!

This session will feature guest speaker Betsy Westcott, a renowned business finance coach and economic commentator, and will be co-facilitated by Goroka Hub Coordinator Georgina Benson and ICDP Director Catherine Fritz-Kalish AM.

Participants will learn how to track expenses, price products and services for profit and manage cash flow with confidence. The session will also explore how to balance business income with personal and family responsibilities, and look at different ways to fund and grow a business over time.

To register and learn more about the Dialogue, visit our website:
https://www.icdp.com.au/2026/08/20/financial-literacy-online-dialogue2/

25/08/2026

We are excited to see Mittagong Community Playgroup featured in Domain’s recent article about Mittagong!

Playgroup facilitator and proud Mittagong local Michelle Hinton shares the story of the Playgroup and its role in the community as a space to connect, build friendships and create a strong sense of belonging.

You can read the full article here:
https://www.domain.com.au/news/mittagong-the-southern-highlands-town-where-country-charm-meets-everyday-convenience-1544432/

The Mittagong Community Playgroup is funded by the Fritz Family Foundation, a future-focused foundation established in 2019 following GAP’s years of research into integrated models of early childhood education. Learn more about GAP’s work in ECEC here:https://globalaccesspartners.org/education/

You can support the Playgroup through a donation to FFF via https://www.givenow.com.au/fritzfamilyfoundation

20/08/2026

This National Science Week, we’re celebrating a simple idea at GAP: everyone’s a scientist.

Scientific thinking isn’t just for the laboratory. It means asking questions, testing assumptions, weighing evidence and being willing to change our minds when the evidence changes. These are skills every young Australian can benefit from.

Through GAP’s Critical Thinking Education Initiative, we’re working to strengthen scientific ways of thinking across Australian universities and schools. Our initiative has already brought together UC Berkeley and Science Teachers Association of New South Wales to develop a scientific critical thinking program for science teachers.

Following the success of the pilot, now in its second year, we’re looking to expand the program across other states and, importantly, into other subject areas.

Learn more about GAP’s Critical Thinking Education Initiative: globalaccesspartners.org/education

13/08/2026

Global Access Partners is delighted the Fritz Family Foundation (FFF) has launched its new donation page on GiveNow.

FFF supports projects that foster opportunities for lifelong learning across generations. Its focus spans three key areas - early childhood, including initiatives such as the Mittagong Community Playgroup, promoting critical thinking skills in secondary education, and adult learning.

Donations to support FFF’s projects can be made at the following link: www.givenow.com.au/fritzfamilyfoundation