2010 was a year of great opportunities — and formidable challenges — for Oak Foundation and its partners. During the course of the year, we granted USD 116.72 million (up from USD 111.83 in 2009) and supported 271 organisations around the world both to reflect and take action on some of the most perplexing global issues of our time. While these efforts differ in scope, scale and geographic coverage, they all demonstrate commitment to the fundamental values of Oak Foundation: broad and equitable access to services; positive changes in policy at all levels; strengthening the confidence and “voice” of low income and marginalised groups; empowering women to live lives free from violence and discrimination; promoting universal respect for and access to human rights; supporting more effective child protection systems, particularly at community level; and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their learning potential.
For example, during the last year Oak Foundation has supported partners to:
Safeguard the environment, by securing a ban on trawl fishing in Belize and a moratorium on oil and gas development in key areas of the Arctic, launching a donor collaborative to protect the world’s oceans, fostering stronger action against fisheries subsidies worldwide, strengthening climate action at state and local levels in North America and in emerging economies and containing tar sands development.
Stop the sexual abuse of children, by strengthening community-based child protection systems in Eastern Africa, mobilising private donors to step up efforts to reduce the number of children in institutions, empowering children to recognise — and respond to — the inappropriate behaviour of adults, and promoting the positive engagement of men and boys in preventing sexual abuse and
exploitation.
Address the urgent concerns of women, by strengthening women’s movements, reinforcing antitrafficking networks in Eastern Europe and Central America, developing ways to work with men to reduce violence against women and advocating for the full and effective implementation of domestic violence legislation in Eastern Europe and South Asia.
Reduce the vulnerability of the homeless, by engaging the private rented sector in the provision of low income housing, building the capacity of local organisations to advocate for policy change, strengthening the legal services available to those at risk of losing their homes and expanding outreach to the homeless in Glasgow, Scotland.
Promote human rights, by challenging state violence in several countries (including those in Eastern Europe), continuing the long struggle for accountability for human rights abuses in Latin America and transforming policies on immigration detention in North America and Europe.
Assist children to reach their full learning potential by promoting tools and techniques that embrace different kinds of learners, expanding mentoring networks to provide support to and build confidence among students with learning differences and strengthening the ability of parents to advocate for their children’s needs.
These and other efforts — including support to the arts, medical research and post-disaster recovery — are highlighted in this 2010 Annual Report of Oak Foundation. We congratulate our partners on their many achievements while recognising the formidable challenges that lie ahead. It is our continuing privilege to assist this extraordinary group of organisations to work toward a better, fairer and safer world.
The Trustees of Oak Foundation
Kristian Parker - Caroline Turner - Natalie Parker - Jette Parker - Alan Parker