Old boy network

In Australia, the term "Old Boy" is used to describe a male alumnus of some prestigious state and private schools.

In Finland, the Finnish term hyvä veli -verkosto (literally dear brother network) is used to refer to the alleged informal network of men in high places whose members use their influence to pervert or circumvent official decision-making processes to the members' mutual benefit.

As the word "brother" implies, the network is usually presumed to consist of males, and thus the term is also sometimes used to refer to the marginalization of women and their exclusion from high positions in both the public and private spheres.

There is an equivalent term, hyvä sisko ("dear sister"), used about informal networks of women in high positions.

President Urho Kekkonen was notable for directly communicating with senior officials (past his cabinets) through letters, which famously began with the salutation "Hyvä veli".

The group is intended to encourage Welham graduates to aid in the school's success through their union; they have established scholarships and bursaries for deserving students.

The Welham Old Boys Network has established definite membership criteria, as well as requiring a subscription fee.

[9] Strong old boys/girls network also exist in private universities, notably École hôtelière de Lausanne and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management.

[10] In the United States, the "Old Boys Network" is a term more focused on the inside track with connections to powerful and ambitious individuals formed through work, professional and community service organizations, and private clubs.