How can we tell that we are making progress as a community or a society? And who should decide what “progress” looks like, and how it is measured?

These are important questions for a democracy as the answers affect the wellbeing of those in our communities and collectively as a country. 

Putting people’s needs, aspirations, and wellbeing at the centre of any policy development and decision-making requires developing more equitable and inclusive methods and approaches to data collection, analysis, and impact reporting. What is measured (and how) matters.

If we put communities at the centre of deciding what to track, how we collect data, and how this information is used and shared, we will not only develop more useful tools for positive change, but will also have more equitable approaches and a better chance of improving the lives of citizens and communities. 

Join us at our next Strengthening Democracy Learning Circle to: 

• Learn about the need to redefine progress and develop new progress measures informed by inclusive citizen engagement, stories, and lived experiences
• Understand how data collection has been used to maintain inequitable systems and perpetuate practices that exclude many of our lived experiences
• Gain insights into the work of organisations and social justice movements working on rethinking measurement and data collection for economic, environmental, and social progress. 

We’ll be joined by Mike Salvaris (Director, Australian National Development Index), Natasha Doherty (Board Director, Australian National Development Index), Doug Cronin (Co-Founder and Director of Strategy and Partnerships), and Colin Kinchela (Director of First Nations Engagement, Our Race).

Please note: This event will take place online via Zoom and in person at our Community of Giving, 6/126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, 3002 at 12.00pm on 26 October.

Thursday 26 October
12:00pm – 1:30pm AEDT

This event will be held in person at our Community of Giving and online. Online registrants will be sent a link on the day to join via Zoom.

Mike Salvaris, Director, Australian National Development Index

Mike has worked for the past 25 years as an activist, academic, and community researcher in the measurement of progress, well-being, and human rights, with many Australian and international organisation’s governments, including the OECD, and the governments of New Zealand, Canada, and Bhutan. Mike is Director at the Australian National Development Index (ANDI).

Natasha Doherty, Board Director, Australian National Development Index

Natasha is the founder and CEO of Ethicol, and has 20 years of experience in program and policy evaluation. She works with government and non-profit clients to inform evidence-based practices and policies to enhance the quality of life for Australians. Natasha has worked in Federal and State governments and was the lead partner for the Health and Social Policy Practice in Deloitte Access Economics.

Doug Cronin, Co-Founder and Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Our Race

Doug is the co-founder of Our Race Community and an ethical storytelling researcher and practitioner. He is currently undertaking a PhD looking into the power dynamics of storytelling. Simultaneously, Doug leads the development and implementation of the T.E.S.T. Framework, collaborating with people and organisations who value lived experiences as expertise.

Colin Kinchela, Director of First Nations Engagement, Our Race

Colin is a Gomeroi artist, storyteller and facilitator, residing on the Lands of the Burramattagal. After more than 20 years working across TV, film and theatre, Colin now leads Our Race Community’s work in changing how First Nations stories are constructed and told by applying the T.E.S.T. framework.

Katy Cornwell, Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, Brotherhood of St Laurence

Dr Katy is the Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Katy holds a PhD in Econometrics and Business Statistics from Monash University alongside extensive experience in research, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation relating to poverty and disadvantage. She has designed and implemented data collection and measurement frameworks for a number of organisations, with a focus on learning and reflection.

Register

This session is open to Australian Communities Foundation fundholders and our friends in the philanthropy sector. Contact us to register.