Workshops
19th & 22nd April, 2010

Social inclusion requires us to make policies and programs that consider the most disadvantaged communities and groups. How do we consult with people from different cultures and backgrounds, or groups that work with, and on behalf of these people, and make it effective? This workshop will provide strategies for consulting with people with disabilities, people living with mental illness, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people who are unemployed, indigenous Australians, and children and youth at risk of disadvantage. It will cover:

What is inclusive consultation?

• Consulting with different cultures, regions and backgrounds
• Working with developing community leaders for long-term input
• Privacy and ethical considerations
• Using demographic indicators
• Recording and interpreting your results
• The importance of providing feedback

Expert Facilitator

Kristine Peters is Principal Consultant at KPPM Organisational Strategists, a consulting firm she started in 1994, that focuses on social and policy research, strategic planning and organisational development. Her particular interest is policy implementation that generates good outcomes for both government and beneficiaries of the policy, and her social research experience provides useful perspectives on developing and implementing policy change. Kristine’s work includes the management of the South Australian Government’s Community Builders programme, providing rural facilitators with training to support ongoing local capacity-building. Kristine is Chair of the North West Business Development Centre, and is undertaking a PhD to examine the role of knowledge transfer in behaviour change within organisations.

Approximately five per cent of Australians aged 15 years and over experience multiple disadvantages. This has a significant impact on their ability to learn, secure employment, have a voice and feel part of the community. A national focus on social inclusion is critical to overcoming this. This means a public service that develops policies, programs and services with these most disadvantaged groups in mind. This however, is much more easily said than done. This practical workshop will provide public servants working in both social policy and non-social policy departments with advice on making social inclusion a reality, from building the foundations to policy development; it will leave you better placed to follow through on this important agenda.

• Utilising evidence in the development of policies that promote social inclusion
• Understanding your organisation
• Identifying priority groups
• Knowing what you need to change
• How you can bring about change

Expert Facilitator

img src="images/speakers/" alt="" class="imgleft" style="width: 70px;"> Professor Scott Prasser is a professor of public policy at the Australian Catholic University. Scott has worked in senior public service advisory roles in State and Commonwealth Government departments as well as in Ministers’ offices. Scott has held branch director positions in the Departments of Premier and Cabinet, State Development, Tourism, Small Business and Industry and Welfare Services. In these roles Scott was responsible for delivering programs to target groups that required properly developed marketing strategies to ensure program take up and minimise resistance and political controversy. Scott has also reviewed government programs and developed new policy proposals based around their ability to be implemented.