Writing for The Australian, sociologist and commentator Frank Furedi recently wrote in negative terms about the concept of social inclusion. Furedi is an international scholar and social commentator of note, and I take his point of view seriously. However I also take issue with a number of his points.
For me social inclusion is neither theoretical nor ideological. It is not merely about 'feelgood policies'. It is about clear targets and tangible outcomes and improving the lives of people experiencing disadvantage. Cutting through red tape and pushing government departments to get things done in homelessness and mental health. Action, which can be measured, not slogans.
That said, neither would I easily dismiss the exploration of immaterial or intangible goals such as personal fulfillment and happiness in the lives of citizens. The important role for government in developing such goals is to explore ways to develop tangible outcomes that can be measured.
Various governments and institutions have been exploring a social inclusion agenda since the 1970s with varying levels of success. I believe social inclusion is resonating more and more with citizens and will become even more relevant in the 21st century. This is because the two pillars on which social inclusion is built — access and participation — are becoming more central to citizens' expectations.
Access means access to opportunities (education, training, employment, housing) and to services (health, mental health, disability, justice) that allow individuals to participate as fully as possible in the economic and social life and networks of community.
I believe access and participation will be seen more and more as a social right of citizenship in Australia. And it is the communication explosion and the ease of use of new technology that are driving the embrace of access and participation by citizens.
For example, we now pay online not only to purchase but to access products. And you only have to reflect for a moment on the world of wikis, social networking sites like Facebook and blogging to realise participation in sharing information and ideas is becoming an increasing practice.
People are becoming more familiar with the experience of access and participation — and they like it! These are becoming high values for 21st century citizens.
Through these experiences of instant access and participation, we are seeing a