Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler...

Social Inclusion as an Objective Nan Bosler, ASCCA

Social Inclusion as Social Inclusion as an Objectivean Objective

Nan BoslerNan BoslerAustralian Seniors Computer Clubs Australian Seniors Computer Clubs

AssociationAssociation

30 October - 1 November ALA National Conference, Fremantle WA


Social Inclusion should be an objective for every workshop, program and organisation!

It is about ensuring that all sectors of society are included by organisations just like ours.

There are benefits when you are aware of social inclusion and consider it when developing any project or plan.


Positive action taken to include all sectors Positive action taken to include all sectors of society in planning and other decision-of society in planning and other decision-makingmaking

Have or take someone in as a member of a Have or take someone in as a member of a group, community, or society as a wholegroup, community, or society as a whole

Social networks can provide social Social networks can provide social support, social influence, opportunities for support, social influence, opportunities for social engagement and meaningful social social engagement and meaningful social roles as well as access to resources and roles as well as access to resources and intimate one-on-one contactintimate one-on-one contact


“ …social inclusion - ought to be the basis for a new integration of economic with social prosperity.”

“It should also recognise the worlds of caring, culture, education and other civil society endeavours.”


The Hon Julia Gillard in a joint media release with Senator The Hon Ursula Stephens stated that :

“The Government’s Social Inclusion Agenda has ensured that across Government, programs are targeted to make a real difference for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians.”


“Investing in education, training and skills is fundamental to ensuring our economic sustainability, optimising our human capital and fighting disadvantage.”


Many of us have been frustrated by the obvious need for a whole of government approach to many issues affecting our target groups and it is with great anticipation that we see that term as part of the objectives of the new Australian Social Inclusion Board.


We are not going to examine the many facets of the Social Inclusion Agenda but concentrate on the aspects that concern and interest those of us who feel strongly that Adult informal learning is a key tool that benefits the whole community.


What do you consider is a good definition of

Adult Informal Learning?


What is ASCCA?What is ASCCA? The National Peak Body for Seniors and The National Peak Body for Seniors and

TechnologyTechnology

ASCCA is a Public Benevolent Institution

Services are provided by volunteers to assist older and disabled Australians to access computer technology.

It is run by seniors for seniors.


Social Inclusion is an important platform on which to base the work we do. That ‘work’ has seen our organisation with a membership of clubs in every state of Australia and it is estimated that we have helped more than 122,000 seniors learn how to use technology.


Digital Photography workshop at Canley ValeDigital Photography workshop at Canley Vale


Peer supported learning is a powerful toolPeer supported learning is a powerful tool


ASSCA includes those with a disability in ASSCA includes those with a disability in their mandatetheir mandate


Learning is a life-long experience and if a

senior is motivated to use a computer and

seeks the support and encouragement of

peers at a Seniors Computer Club that

person is highly likely to succeed with

their lives enhanced accordingly.


Our population is ageing and many older people are not computer literate and battle to use mobile phones. Surely they are suffering social exclusion by not being able to use technology.

Technology is an element of social inclusion!


E-Health is already impacting on our nation and will become a much greater feature in the management of our health as early discharge of patients and monitoring of their recovery at home with the help of technology becomes more usual.


Indigenous elders can be helped to deal with generation gaps that are developing between them and younger family members if they can us technology enough to be able to use it as a bridge.


When an older person cannot use modern technology that person is suffering social exclusion !


As our theme for this conference is

Social Inclusion – engaging the disengaged in life wide learning

just who do you think can benefit from inclusion in our programs and plans?


Is it someone from a culturally and diverse Is it someone from a culturally and diverse background?background?

Is it an older person?Is it an older person?

Is it a person with a disability?Is it a person with a disability?

Is it someone with minimal finances?Is it someone with minimal finances?

Have you another suggestion?Have you another suggestion?


Can you identify several groups of people who you would consider to be socially excluded and could be included in your programs?

Can you tell us of programs that have included members of these groups in the planning and delivery of programs?


Can you share some case histories about Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered socially people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised?or event that you have organised?

What do you think of big business, What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion!clearly another form of social exclusion!


Can you identify several groups of people who you would consider to be socially excluded and could be included in your programs?

Can you tell us of programs that have included members of these groups in the planning and delivery of programs?

Can you share some case histories about the benefits you Can you share some case histories about the benefits you have observed when people who are usually considered have observed when people who are usually considered socially isolated have been included in a program or event socially isolated have been included in a program or event that you have organised?that you have organised?

What do you think of big business, organisations even What do you think of big business, organisations even government agencies that haven’t considered the government agencies that haven’t considered the importance of consumers or end users on their councils and importance of consumers or end users on their councils and boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of boards? Does it matter? Or is this clearly another form of social exclusion!social exclusion!


Monsignor David Cappo, South Australian Commissioner for Social Inclusion and Deputy Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, claims that

“Full participation is only possible when people feel valued, when their differences are respected and when their basic needs are met.”


An international seminar, An international seminar, Women in Women in motion for the right to educationmotion for the right to education was held was held in Montevideo, Uruguay in June 2008. in Montevideo, Uruguay in June 2008.

40 women from 19 different countries 40 women from 19 different countries participated in this three-day seminarparticipated in this three-day seminar

Which defined strategies for participation Which defined strategies for participation at the Sixth UNESCO International at the Sixth UNESCO International Conference on Adult Education Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) in Brazil in May 2009. (CONFINTEA VI) in Brazil in May 2009.


Women in motion for the right to education


CONFINTEA VI) will take place from 19 to CONFINTEA VI) will take place from 19 to 22 May 2009 in Belém, Brazil, under the 22 May 2009 in Belém, Brazil, under the overall title: “Living and Learning for a overall title: “Living and Learning for a Viable Future – The Power of Adult Viable Future – The Power of Adult Learning”. Learning”.

Regional meetings are being held world Regional meetings are being held world wide to progress planning for this very wide to progress planning for this very important, once every 12 years important, once every 12 years opportunity. It is very embarrassing that opportunity. It is very embarrassing that Australia has not officially participated Australia has not officially participated


I asked why Australia was not participating and the response I received explained:

“The priority being given to the Skilling Australia for the Future policy, the COAG Productivity and Participation Agenda and the Social Inclusion Agenda, will preclude Australia’s direct involvement in CONFINTEA VI, and its preliminary conference in South Korea.""


We should be showing that Australia can

be a world leader – particularly in the

Asian Pacific region - by increasing our

understanding while also helping other

countries to better understand and

embrace the value of Life Long Learning to

help diminish social exclusion !


The conference will be attended by official delegations from more than 100 countries but notably there will not be an official Australian delegation.

What a wasted opportunity!


You won’t waste any opportunities within your organisation will you?


Do you consider that Social Inclusion should be an objective for every workshop, program and organisation?

Do our organisations want to make a

difference?


What do you plan to do about it?

Thank youThank you

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