Communities in Control

“In Australia, policy agendas come, tip everything upside down, and then they go, swept away by the next fad. New Zealand has garnered world attention for its ‘Wellbeing Budget’ but Australia had a wellbeing framework a decade ago. It was quietly scrapped a few years ago and no-one noticed the difference. It looks like New Zealand is heading down a similar path. What can we do to overcome this churn-and-burn cycle of policy building? How do we escape the path of business-as-usual?"

“In Australia, policy agendas come, tip everything upside down, and then they go, swept away by the next fad. New Zealand has garnered world attention for its ‘Wellbeing Budget’ but Australia had a wellbeing framework a decade ago. It was quietly scrapped a few years ago and no-one noticed the difference. It looks like New Zealand is heading down a similar path. What can we do to overcome this churn-and-burn cycle of policy building? How do we escape the path of business-as-usual?"

“We hear a lot about the rising divides in economic opportunities and wealth in Australia: between country and city, young and old and the top 1% and ‘everyone else’. What do we know about rising inequality in our communities and what can we do about it?"

“We hear a lot about the rising divides in economic opportunities and wealth in Australia: between country and city, young and old and the top 1% and ‘everyone else’. What do we know about rising inequality in our communities and what can we do about it?"

“The Social Progress Index is used to measure how well the environmental and social needs of citizens are being met. Currently, Australia ranks 12th in the world. That’s great, but what exactly does it mean? How do you measure social progress? What are we learning from the results?"

“The Social Progress Index is used to measure how well the environmental and social needs of citizens are being met. Currently, Australia ranks 12th in the world. That’s great, but what exactly does it mean? How do you measure social progress? What are we learning from the results?"

“When we hear the word ‘infrastructure’ most of us automatically think of roads, railways and bridges. But we all know that it takes much more than that to build a community. As a society, we need to shift the conversation to ensure that social infrastructure is brought into the mix. If we fail, what chance do we have at building stronger communities within Australia?"

“Working in the community sector can often be emotionally draining. How do community workers balance their life with the long hours and stresses of the job without breaking down? How do you keep it together when tackling some of society’s darkest issues? What is required to remain in control? Hear one woman’s story of rising and falling and rising again."

“Working in the community sector can often be emotionally draining. How do community workers balance their life with the long hours and stresses of the job without breaking down? How do you keep it together when tackling some of society’s darkest issues? What is required to remain in control? Hear one woman’s story of rising and falling and rising again."

“We all know that climate change is damaging our natural environment, but what impact is it having on our communities? A future defined by climate change will bring new issues and obstacles that the community sector will need to face and overcome. We have to. There is no Planet B."