Global Poverty Solutions Consulting Services provides specialist advice to ensure the greatest sustainable impact for your philanthropic investments and projects.
Global Poverty Solutions Consulting Services offers tailored advice to non-government organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, and businesses.
Our Team
WRA’s Consulting Services boasts a team of expert international development practitioners. Each member has over fifteen years’ comprehensive experience in the sector, working both in Australia and in developing countries for non-governmental organisations, research institutions, and the Government.
Dr Donald Van Cooten PhD
Donald is the Chief Executive Officer of WRA. He began his career 30 years ago as an agricultural scientist and spent 17 years in Indonesia working on a range of community development projects. Donald’s cross-cultural skills and commitment to helping the marginalised enabled him to facilitate initiatives at village, regional, national and international levels.
Donald’s research interests have resulted in the publication of reviewed papers in numerous international journals, as well as village farmer guides in local languages. Donald's international experience includes his appointment as Australian Consul in West Timor, involving him in Australian-Indonesian ministerial forums and the promotion of bilateral joint ventures. In recent years, Don has managed hundreds of community development initiatives in over 50 countries. He has also been instrumental in developing a Code of Conduct for small Australian NGOs involved in overseas relief and development.
Belinda Pratten BPsych MPH MBA
Belinda has worked in international development for 15 years. Belinda’s most recent role is Programming Advisor for World Relief Australia. During this time, she has advised numerous charities on enhancing their effectiveness, and successfully applied for overseas aid gift deductibility scheme status. Prior to working for WRA, she was the Program Advisor for Latin America with World Vision Australia. She has also worked for the Australian Red Cross managing a number of their Pacific projects, and has worked for the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) both in Australia as a Policy Officer, and in Papua New Guinea as a Civilian Peace Monitor. Belinda has also implemented programs for International Medical Corps in Kosovo and East Timor. Belinda has a Master of Business and Administration (MBA), a Master in Public Health, and a Bachelor in Psychology (Honours).
Belinda has worked in international development for 15 years. Belinda’s most recent role is Programming Advisor for World Relief Australia. During this time, she has advised numerous charities on enhancing their effectiveness, and successfully applied for overseas aid gift deductibility scheme status. Prior to working for WRA, she was the Program Advisor for Latin America with World Vision Australia. She has also worked for the Australian Red Cross managing a number of their Pacific projects, and has worked for the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) both in Australia as a Policy Officer, and in Papua New Guinea as a Civilian Peace Monitor. Belinda has also implemented programs for International Medical Corps in Kosovo and East Timor. Belinda has a Master of Business and Administration (MBA), a Master in Public Health, and a Bachelor in Psychology (Honours).
