Nicholas Gruen - Rebuilding our political system to nurture equality

Nicholas Gruen - Rebuilding our political system to nurture equality

Author: Our Community May 28, 2018 Duration: 47:37
“As we're increasingly realising, social connectedness and a shared political discourse which honours the common good are all fundamental to a functioning society and economy. Yet there's pervasive foreboding that these things are falling away in our society. Faith in our major institutions, including our democracy continues its steady decline both here and in other Western Democracies. This talk will explore the ways in which inequality is more than a simple material phenomenon. It will argue that politics as currently practices is losing its capacity to address these concerns, and explore an alternative from which our political system could borrow - in which people are represented by citizens juries or councils - selected by lot as they were in ancient Athens. It will also explore the ways in which such a system might be more hospitable to solving our social problems."

There’s a powerful conversation happening in towns and suburbs across Australia, driven by people who are rolling up their sleeves to make real change. Communities in Control captures that energy and brings it directly to you. Born from a vibrant social movement that gathers hundreds of community sector workers, volunteers, and supporters each year, this podcast extends the dialogue far beyond the conference room. You’ll hear from the organizers, advocates, and everyday citizens who are on the ground, exchanging practical strategies and debating the best ways to build inclusion. Each episode feels like a candid discussion among peers, focused on turning ideas into action. The movement is all about transforming communities into thriving places for everyone, and this audio series lets you listen in on how that work gets done. Presented by Our Community, the podcast serves as both a source of inspiration and a practical toolkit, offering stories that recharge your drive and demonstrate what’s possible when people come together. It’s for anyone interested in the mechanics of social good, from government and non-profit professionals to passionate volunteers looking to deepen their impact. Tune in for genuine voices and honest talks about the challenges and triumphs of taking control, one community at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Communities in Control
Podcast Episodes
Nicholas Gruen – The iron law of business-as-usual [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:53
“In Australia, policy agendas come, tip everything upside down, and then they go, swept away by the next fad. New Zealand has garnered world attention for its ‘Wellbeing Budget’ but Australia had a wellbeing framework a…
Professor Kristy Muir – Understanding the Social Progress Index [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:00
“The Social Progress Index is used to measure how well the environmental and social needs of citizens are being met. Currently, Australia ranks 12th in the world. That’s great, but what exactly does it mean? How do you m…
Georgina Dent – Breaking Badly: How I worried myself sick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:41
“Working in the community sector can often be emotionally draining. How do community workers balance their life with the long hours and stresses of the job without breaking down? How do you keep it together when tackling…
SPECIAL EDITION: 2019 Conference Highlights Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:59
Here's a special compilation of highlights from the 2019 Communities in Control conference, recorded by conference convenors Our Community and produced for radio, and reproduced here with permission, by Community Radio N…
SPECIAL EDITION: 2019 Conference Highlights Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:59
Here's a special compilation of highlights from the 2019 Communities in Control conference, recorded by conference convenors Our Community and produced for radio, and reproduced here with permission, by Community Radio N…
SPECIAL EDITION: 2019 Conference Highlights Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:00
Here's a special compilation of highlights from the 2019 Communities in Control conference, recorded by conference convenors Our Community and produced for radio, and reproduced here with permission, by Community Radio N…