Our Philosophy

Cardno Acil is an international consulting firm committed to achieving a better and more sustainable quality of life in developing countries. Established in 1968, we have designed and managed over 500 development projects across 63 countries in Asia, the Pacific islands and Africa.

We currently manage over A$350 million in contracts and have offices in Melbourne, Port Moresby and Jakarta.

Cardno Acil's Development Philosophy outlines the values and underlying principles which determine our approach to development while adding value and benefit to the projects we manage.

Cardno Acil recognises that success is best achieved through fostering mutual commitment and partnership between communities and development organisations.

Partnership

Cardno Acil is committed to working in partnership with developing countries. We base our counterpart and stakeholder relations on mutual commitment and trust. We promote a culture of consultation and cooperation. Cardno Acil recognises that a key element of this process is upholding and promoting transparent and accountable practices.

Community Support

Cardno Acil recognises that success is best achieved through fostering mutual commitment and partnership between communities and development organisations. Cardno Acil actively involves project stakeholders in the planning and implementation process, so that community priorities are considered. Cardno Acil advocates community involvement in decision-making and our commitment to community participation throughout the project cycle promotes ownership and sustainability.

Sustainability

Cardno Acil believes a sustainable development focus is essential to achieving lasting improvements in peoples’ lives. Our aim is that our assistance will provide improved knowledge, skills and resources which will positively impact on people’s lives and their environment beyond the life of an assistance project. We are mindful of the scope, size and resource requirements of activities and that these should be continued after development assistance ceases.

Capacity Building

Cardno Acil advocates human resource development as a critical element of institutional strengthening. By raising the capacity of individuals who work in institutions, we seek to strengthen the effectiveness of those institutions to fulfil their role.

Equity

Cardno Acil is committed to supporting basic human rights. Cardno Acil considers that the promotion of equity between and among socio-economic and gender groups is critical to ensuring positive development impacts. Cardno Acil promotes understanding of both women’s and men’s roles in communities and develops strategies which recognise and address their differing needs. Cardno Acil believes all members of a community should share in development benefits.

Cultural Sensitivity

Cardno Acil is deeply committed to promoting sustainable projects that uphold the culture of the communities in which they work. Our respect for different cultural values and norms informs our approach to project management.