This paper from the 2007 Australian Social Policy Conference explores young people's understandings of the social problems and strengths of their community. The paper discusses girls' (13 to 24 year-olds) accounts of their experiences of growing up in the Glebe public housing estate: the difficulties they face, their critiques and aspirations indicate resilience, their positive...

Indigenous poverty is clearly entrenched and often different in nature to that experienced by other Australian poor. This paper from the 2007 Australian Social Policy Conference examines recent evidence on Indigenous poverty and social exclusion and attempts to relate it to the Productivity Commission’s Framework for Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage. However, it is not sufficient to...

This report documents learning from the implementation of the Community Enterprise Development Initiative of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Department for Victorian Communities in twelve localities in Melbourne and regional Victoria. In each neighbourhood, the aim has been to identify and develop community-based small business opportunities which foster social participation, offer employment pathways...

Ros Black shows that student-centred approaches improve learning for students in our most disadvantaged communities, but that schools in these communities need new solutions to support their work. Ros Black shows that student-centred approaches improve learning for students in our most disadvantaged communities, but that schools in these communities need new solutions to support their...

There is a widespread consensus that all people should have access to the greatest possible economic and social opportunities in life. A quality school education is recognised as intrinsic to this aim, but it is not yet a universal experience in Australia. Too many young people are disengaged and under-performing at school in a way...