IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE SOCIAL INCLUSION IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT Presentation on 27 October 2011 by Simon Duffy Community Inclusion Coordinator Hobart City Council
PEOPLE BEFORE DESIGN: A RATIONALE
Key thinking
Cities exist to meet the needs of the community
Human behaviour defines place more than built form
Social inclusion is the perfect framework
A DEFINITION OF SOCIAL INCLUSION
“…it is a fundamental right of every individual to have the opportunity to participate equally socially, culturally, economically, physically and politically in society. The exercise of this right benefits everyone and is the fundamental building block for healthy and whole communities...”
WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?
“…The primary function of local government is to
serve the needs and aspirations of its community…”
WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?
Community expectation o
It is clear that Tasmanian communities have an expectation that their Councils will deliver a range of social outcomes
o
Councils clearly have a role to respond to the needs and aspirations of their communities
Political expectation o
Australian & Tasmanian governments have set social inclusion agendas
o
Tasmanian Social Inclusion Commissioner sees local government
as critical to achieving social inclusion outcomes at the local level
WHY IS IT LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S JOB?
Organisational capacity o o
We are the level of government closest to the community
o
We have the capacity to partner, collaborate and bring relevant
We have extraordinary capacity for a whole-of-organisation response
stakeholders together
WHY A SOCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY?
o
Collects together the social inclusion objectives from strategic planning processes
o
Provides a focused and strategic approach to achieving those social objectives
o
Defines a framework for responding to social inclusion issues by frontline government
o
Aligns with current national and state social agendas
o o
Focuses on building community capacity Benefits the community
HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE
Where it began o o
The community of Hobart articulated a vision for an inclusive city Council had identified the need to bring all of its social objectives together under an overarching strategy
o
It was obvious that aiming for social inclusion outcomes would benefit everyone in the community and could produce the type of city everyone was saying they wanted
o o
Australian & Tasmanian governments set social inclusion agendas Social inclusion as a concept reflected the direction that the Council was moving towards in the social policy realm
HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE
The Role of Council: o o
Leadership
o o o
Management
o
Facilitation
Advocacy
Connection Informing
HOBART CITY COUNCIL’S RESPONSE
The Domains of Action: o o
Community Participation
o o o
Affordable Living
o o
Economic Participation
Vibrant Places
Effective Transport Community Safety
Health & Wellbeing
BUILDING COMMUNITY
“…community is built in the interaction between hard and soft assets; between the built form and the community that
occupies it…”
RESULTS Item 8.1 - Building Connected Communities
Excellent organisations understand that well planned community infrastructure can link communities, promote interaction and develop a strong sense of neighbourhood, promote affordable living options, effective
transport and economic participation Core practices: Knowing your place Working collaboratively with others Thinking regionally Planning cohesively Working cohesively as an organisation Creating accessibility
RESULTS Item 8.2 - Building Strong & Resilient Communities
Excellent organisations understand that communities are multi-faceted and encourage participation in community life. They value diversity and create opportunities for shared experiences in order to build inclusive and vibrant
communities. They promote healthy lifestyles and facilitate community safety, wellbeing and mutual support. Core Practices: Understanding Community Focus on strengths as well as needs Engaging stakeholders Empowering community Acknowledging and valuing diversity Advocacy
ANY QUESTIONS?