Leaders gather to discuss region's social challenges

Toowoomba's most significant social challenges will be high on the agenda for discussion when government, media and police representatives, academics and members of the local community gather at USQ this Thursday (May 5).

The annual Community for Community Workshop (C4C) will focus on understanding the causes behind some of the most prevalent social issues such as homelessness, youth suicide, the ageing population, safety and migrant inclusion.

The one-day workshop will include a presentation from keynote speaker George Osborne, a former Army officer who is now the manager of the Learning Community Department at the Hume City Council in Melbourne.

Mr Osborne is responsible for the Hume Libraries, the Hume Global Learning Centre (conference centre and training rooms) and is Executive Officer for the renowned Hume Global Learning Village network of more than 700 members. He has previously operated his own consultancy for Leadership and Teamwork solutions and has lectured in Strategic Planning and Leadership.

Other speakers representing local, state and federal government, the legal fraternity, service clubs (Rotary) and the media will provide a multi-perspective view of the community’s understanding of community capacity building.

Community for Community Project Coordinator, Professor Glen Postle, said this year’s workshop would focus on understanding the causes of the community’s social issues.

'Attempts to deal with social challenges in the past have been only partially effective, and many programs and services exist to treat, or process, their various client groups rather than to diminish the prevalence of issues surrounding these challenges,' Professor Postle said.

'A renewed emphasis needs to be placed upon understanding the causes, not just treating the effects.'

Professor Postle said many of the assets and community initiatives located in Toowoomba and the region needed to be showcased, learned and linked.

'The workshop will also look at finding workable solutions through deliberation and critical reflection around complex community issues, such as the ageing population, homelessness, violence in the community and immigration,' he said.

Each group of presentations will be followed by panel sessions to encourage discussion and dialogue among attendees. Issues and ideas gleaned from the presentations and panel discussions will provide the focus for group discussions.

The C4C workshop will be held in the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre at USQ on Thursday, May 5 from 8.15am until 4.30pm.

For more information and to register for the workshop, please email Mary McGilvray at: usqccbp@usq.edu.au